African-American pan-Africanist Yusef E. Bilal has issued an impassioned plea to African youth, especially those in Ghana, urging them to embrace patriotism and resist the temptation to emigrate to Western countries.
Bilal, who is also a musician, emphasized that Africa's wealth of natural resources, such as gold, bauxite, diamond, and timber, offers a unique potential for self-sufficiency that is unmatched by any other continent.
In an interview on June 1, 2024, Bilal voiced his concerns about the growing trend of young Africans risking their lives to leave the continent via dangerous and illegal routes. He underscored the tragic outcomes many face, including perishing in the Saharan desert or drowning in the Mediterranean Sea while attempting to reach Europe.
"I was watching a CNN report where a journalist showed young Africans dying in the Saharan deserts, trying to get to North Africa," Bilal recounted. "Some made it to North Africa and were trying to cross the Mediterranean Sea to reach Europe for a better quality of life. The misery I saw deeply touched me."
Despite being born in America, Bilal feels a strong connection to his African heritage. "As a descendant of Africa, a slave, I have the connection even though I was not born on the continent; my DNA is African DNA," he stated.
Inspired by Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, the first president of Ghana, he added, "Dr. Nkrumah said he is not an African because he was born in Africa; but he is an African because Africa was born in him, and I can relate to that."
With a vision he calls "1 Africa," Bilal aims to encourage independence and development within the continent through the spirit of patriotism. He believes that fostering a sense of national pride among the youth is crucial to halting the mass exodus and unlocking Africa's potential.
"Our children are our greatest resources. We need to instill patriotism in our young people to prevent them from wanting to leave the country. Patriotism is a must across all continents," he concluded.
AM/GA
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