Former presidents John Dramani Mahama of Ghana and Lt. Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama of Botswana have issued a joint appeal to African leaders, urging them to actively work towards unity and progress to unlock the continent’s full potential and achieve sustainable economic growth.
Speaking at the Second Edition of the African Heritage Awards in Lagos, Nigeria, they emphasised the importance of swift action in providing democratic dividends to Africa’s youthful population and fostering international cooperation by removing barriers such as visa restrictions.
Mahama highlighted the missed opportunity for a unified Africa post-independence and stressed the significance of initiatives like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in creating a market of 1.3 billion people.
Similarly, former Botswana president, Ian Khama who was chairman of the prestigious event, regretted that despite the huge amount of human and natural resources domiciled in Africa, the continent has not transited into economic prosperity.
He blamed corruption and bad leadership for the drawbacks.
Khama said from his experience as a politician, it can be agreed that a lot of Africa’s “problems and instability is caused by some politicians. My observation is that those politicians who fail to put the interests and needs of their people first are a cause for backwards.”
He added that the “power-hungry, self-serving individuals taking control of our countries” are driving the continent backwards. “We need leaders who are humble enough to understand that their role is simply to be of service to their people. The media has for the longest time peddled only a negative narrative about the African continent and we all have a responsibility to change that,” he said.
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