By: Eugene Ewusi-Annan
Refuse to conceal the identity of my people. For centuries, decades and even today, foreigners, have tried proving Africans may not be worth realizing their full and real potential. There’re elevating pressures on the necks of African people to prove otherwise, tirelessly expunging the misconceptions defamed against the continent and showing the world a creditable Africa. I believe that Africans have spent way too much time trying to erase the black paintings smeared over the continent; leaders focusing on burying misconceptions, the people; some battling with identity crisis of being African and others wanting to over sell theirs, and a young boy like me still dreaming of the Africa I really want to see, someday. I was born into an Africa that may probably still be recovering from a past history of being victims to dehumanizing captivity. I am strongly moved and inspired by the way my people fought for their own freedom. This monumental act of bravery engaged by my people has taught me to fight for what is rightfully mine, that has been stolen. What’s more, after the victory of acquiring what should have already been in their possession, won, they sought to build a regenerated and stronger Africa. Now, this is the path Africans should endeavor to tread on. The journey to rebuild Africa through the years has faced a number of setbacks. Foreigners have spent their time to pinpoint who is to blame. The people of Africa have done same. As John Dewey quotes, “A problem well put is half solved”. Africa expends to identify and accept it problems. However, the problem will remain only half solved if we do not progress unto actually putting in the work. It is finally time to revisit the objective of building Africa, rather than dodging the way forward and countlessly blaming one another. This is what I want for Africa; to integrate, transform and gear its people and all other resources, to build a fully realized potential-capacity Africa; enabling the pursuance of an Africa its people are truly proud of and undoubtedly appreciate.
Justify the future of Africa’s young people. It will be my duty to safeguard and assure the youth, a future rid of flaws the current and past generation have consciously or otherwise made. Our minds are bound up by the philosophical and social judgements that impact the very deep roots and attitudes of people. Young Africans have reminisced about their history and witnessed what the world has become today. The time has come to push the youth to know that their efforts are simply not just worthwhile, but even more futuristic and glorious. Africa, my Africa; we are strong and resilient, and it is not enough to put these attributes up just for show, but should be invested in building the future we want. The charge to brighten the future of Africa lies in the hands of its children. Our ancestors fought the war so that we can have an Africa to be our best selves and not abandon it. The youth must realize that, they are the unbeatable force to spearhead a proud Africa. The young should be exhaustively girded with pride in themselves and their African identity; the provision of accessible resources that guide their direction unto freely focusing their efforts into exploring a luminous side of African indistinguishable, culture into optimism and development, and ultimately making every African child, a young African leader. The fight for freedom and other historical accomplishments already prove the unique banner of Africa, thus, the next chapter is to build upon Africa’s greatness and I believe the young leaders hold the keys. “I talk to a lot of young people – their attitude, determination to make a difference, innovative spirit and desire to change things give me hope”- Kofi Annan. May his soul rest in peace.
Make Africa an abode for real positive enhancement. The global community has for a long time aspired to create a positive form of difference and change, embracing the true and evolved narrative of unity and peace. Well, I believe Africa can rise to the occasion and take up the mantle of hosting such a revolutionary journey. Africa progressively proves to be a continent that resiliently resolves, repairs and revives. Although there may be certain manifesting traits that may hinder the full emergence of this aspiration, it only proves that there’s an identified problem. And that is a stepping stone to materializing the actual work to be done, while unlearning such efforts that may slowly cripple and threaten attainment of the promising future. The integration of efforts to reach a genuine goal is not new to the people of Africa. This unique attribute rekindles the ambition for future prosperity. Africa mesmerizingly uphold a priceless resource that cannot be bought nor stolen; unity. This is a concrete tool in catapulting the fight against globally problematic endangerment, injustices lingering marginalized peoples and socio-economic predicaments. Even though democracy has played a significant role in civilization, development, and independence, a more positive furtherance of this agenda should provide a facilitating climate of equality and justice. As I put it, the second war for freedom, this time around, it is the freedom for those banished to suffer because of societal shortcomings, people socially locked away, and those deprived of their basic human rights. This journey will entail a united front, and the joined efforts of all who identify as Africans. “I am because we are” – Ubuntu.
Unlock further pathways of empowering the current generation in order to be pridefully African. Africa’s toil and struggle for independence imparted the inception of initiative in the souls of its people. The achievements attained by the past generation commences the beginning of the next generation’s mark to be left on the world.
The goal is to build the foundation for an era where future Africans will take delight in carrying on with promoting themselves; their African identity and their achievements. Africa should perpetually have a firm investment in its resource pool, technology, art and independence, even after tumultuous scenes and unexpected storms. The journey from freedom restoration, through to black culture regeneration has left several traces of positive breakthroughs. This is an inspiration essential in promoting the platform requisite for bountiful future breakthroughs. The children of Africa must cling to this in the bid to build an Africa that completely aspires to be uniquely flourished, as ultimately building a prospective future for themselves and the subsequent generations. By creating opportunities that magnify the passion of African people rather than concealing it, there will be the assurance of recovering all untapped potential. The potential that enables the people of Africa to take charge of what they possess now and protecting the propitious future.
This is what I would devoutly do for Africa and I believe it is worth all utmost ambition and actual realization. As a young African, I have focused my ambitions in the path to impact the world, and it will be because I have embraced my full potential as a child of Africa. As Kayambila Mpulamasaka best puts it, “There’s no greater effort than the least effort”. This article is only but the beginning of my allegiance to being a part of building the Africa I want. The portrait of the Africa I want is a delineation of its peculiarity.
I challenge anyone else who proudly deem themselves to be in charge of Africa, to explore endlessly all its opportunities, magnificent attributes and incredible pool of potential. Africa must continually cherish the unique fabric of rich culture woven by her people binding the continent, while breaking through walls of impossibility and abstraction that threatens the future.
I am because we are..