Relevance of AU depends on its success in addressing challenges- Mr. Kwasi Aboah

Mr. William Kwasi Aboah, Minister of the Interior, on Friday said commemoration of Africa Union Day should serve as a reminder of the vision of the founding fathers of the Organization of African Unity

It should also serve as a conduit for member states to stand together to confront challenges that impinge on efforts to consolidate peace, democratic governance and environmental sustainability among others.

Mr. Aboah, who gave the keynote address at a flag-raising ceremony to mark the 49th AU Day celebration in Accra, said the Day symbolizes in a practical way, the collective spirit and search for unity and dignity in Africa.

“It speaks to the reality that Africa is more than a sum of its parts and reminds us that the dreams of our founding fathers and mothers, who lost their lives struggling for Africa, are still alive.

“It is a day that gives us the opportunity to call out to the rest of the world to stop and take a look and listen to what we have to say for ourselves and for humanity in general,” he said.

He said Africa should remain resolute and committed to harnessing and deploying its resources to achieve the ultimate goals of sustainable peace, security and economic development.

Speaking on the theme for the celebration: “Boosting Intra-African Trade,” Mr. Aboah said the choice of the theme was in recognition of the importance the AU Commission and leaders of the continent attached to the need to increase trade between African countries.

The event is a crucial action to achieving economic growth and development, especially as the 18th Ordinary session of the Assembly of Head of States and Government held in January 2012, in Ethiopia was also on the same theme, he said.

“It is an admission of the fact that the future of this continent and every country in it depends on looking within ourselves and harnessing our competitive and comparative economic advantages to drive our economic transformation,” he noted.

The Minister said the global economy over the last decade had experienced significant and unprecedented changes with economic growth driven not only by the industrialized nations but by emerging economies of Asia, Latin America and some countries of Africa.

He therefore urged African governments to take giant steps to boost intra-African trade.

Mr. Aboah said the implementation of the road map and action plan, on boosting intra-African trade as adopted by the ordinary session in January would culminate in the elimination of factors that constrain intra-African trade.

Mr. Sini Pierre Sanou, Dean of the African Diplomatic Corps, said the day offered Africans the opportunity to reflect on their past achievements in order to fashion out a better way forward.

“Our founding fathers had already lit the path towards freedom for the continent and we only have to consolidate what had already been done through hard work and dedication,” he said

Touching on the theme for the celebration, he said although there were five economic regional communities on the continent, there were still problems with intra-African trade including economic barriers, transportation among others.

He said Africa need to undergo a complete political, structural, and economic change to be taken seriously at the global level.

Mr. Sanou said the celebration which coincided with the maiden world summit on Africa Diaspora is a reminder of the importance of the contribution of Africa in the Diaspora and the need to consolidate peace and development.

As part of the commemoration, a military parade was mounted by two contingents drawn from the Ghana Navy.

Mr. Aboah and Mr Sanou raised the flags of Ghana and the AU to commemorate the day.**