By: Eugene Ewusi-Annan
Refuse to conceal the identity of my people. For centuries, decades and even today,
foreigners, have tried proving Afrikans may not be worth realizing their full and real
potential. There’re elevating pressures on their necks of Afrikan people to prove otherwise,
tirelessly expunging of misconceptions defamed against the continent and showing the world
a creditable Afrika. I believe that Afrikans 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 Afrikan and others wanting over sell theirs,
and a young boy like me still dreaming of the Afrika I really want to see someday. I was born
into an Afrika that may probably still be recovering from a past history of been victims to
dehumanizing captivity. I am strongly moved and inspired by the way my people fought for
their own freedom, the 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 was won, they sought to build a
regenerated and stronger Afrika. Now this is the path Afrikans should endeavor to tread on.
The journey to rebuild Afrika through the years has faced a number of setbacks. Foreigners
have spent their time to pinpoint who is to blame. The people of Afrika have done same. As
John Dewey quotes, “A problem well put is half solved”. Afrika 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 Afrika,
rather than dodging the way forward and countlessly blaming one another. This is what I
want for Afrika; to integrate, transform and gear its people and all other resources, to build a
fully realized potential-capacity Afrika, enabling the pursuance of an Afrika its people are
truly proud of and undoubtedly appreciate.
Justify the future of Afrika’s young people. It will be my duty to safeguard and assure
the youth of a future rid of flaws the current and past generation have consciously or
otherwise have made. Our minds are bound up by the philosophical and social judgements
that impact the very deep roots and attitudes of people. Young Afrikans, 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. Afrikan, my Afrika; 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 Afrika lies in the hands of its children. Our ancestors
fought the war so that we can have an Afrika to be our best selves and not abandon it. The
youth must realize that, they are the unbeatable force to spearhead a proud Afrika. The young
should be exhaustively girded with pride in themselves and their Afrikan identity, the
provision of accessible resources that guide their direction unto freely focusing their efforts
into exploring a luminous side of Afrikan indistinguishable culture into optimism and
development, and ultimately making every Afrikan child, a young Afrikan leader. The fight
for freedom and other historical accomplishments already prove the unique banner of Afrika,
thus, the next chapter is to build upon Afrika’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.
Make Afrika 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 Afrika can rise to the occasion and take
up the mantle of hosting such a revolutionary journey. Afrika 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 the 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 Afrika. This unique attribute rekindles the ambition for future prosperity. Afrika
mesmerizingly uphold a priceless resource that cannot be bought nor stolen; unity. This is
concrete 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 deprived of their
human rights. This journey will entail a united front, and the joined efforts of all who identify
as Afrikans. “I am because we are” – Ubuntu.
Unlock further pathways of empowering the current generation in order to be pridefully
Afrikan. Afrika’s toil and struggle for independence imparted the inception of initiative in
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 Afrikans will take delight in carrying on with promoting
themselves; their Afrikan identity and their achievements. Afrika 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 Afrika
must cling to this in the bid to build an Afrika 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 Afrikan people rather than
concealing it, there will be the assurance of recovering all untapped potential. The potential
that enables the people of Afrika to take charge of what they possess now and protecting the
propitious future.
This is what I would devoutly do for Afrika and I believe it is worth all utmost
ambition and actual realization. As a young Afrikan, 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
Afrika. 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
Afrika I want. The portrait of the Afrika I want is a delineation of its peculiarity. I challenge
anyone else who proudly deem themselves to be in charge of Afrika, to explore endlessly all
its opportunities, magnificent attributes and incredible pool of potential. Afrika 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.
