Namibia on Tuesday joined other African countries in celebrating the 58th anniversary of the African Union (Africa Day), under the theme ‘Arts, Culture and Heritage – Levers for Building the Africa we Want.’
On this day, 1963, the Organization of African Unity (OAU) was created to promote the unity and solidarity of African states for the wellbeing of all the people of Africa and to defend their sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence, as well as eradicate all forms of colonialism in Africa.
In a statement on Tuesday, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah stated that on this day, homage is paid to the founders of the OAU, who worked tirelessly for the independence of African states and fulfilled their primary historic mission.
‘Building on the solid foundations laid by the founders and in the pursuit of economic independence, on July 11, 2002, African leaders transformed the OAU into the African Union (AU) in order to move forward towards integration and increased levels of cooperation among African states, as well as to boost Africa’s economic growth and development,’ added Nandi-Ndaitwah.
However, despite a number of established institutional mechanisms, systems and programs aimed at fostering the integration of the continent, much remains to be done to achieve the aspiration of a prosperous Africa, based on inclusive growth and sustainable development, she noted.
To address this anomaly and in celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the organisation, Nandi-Ndaitwah stated that Heads of States and governments of the AU adopted Agenda 2063 to fast-track Africa’s structural transformation for the continent’s socio-economic development, building upon past continental initiatives such as the Lagos Plan of Action, which called for the mobilisation of internal resources to fast-track the socio-economic development of Africa, the Abuja Treaty, which established the Regional Economic Communities (RECs), and the African Union Development Agency-NEPAD.
‘Shaping an Africa whose development is people-centred, harnessing the potential offered by African people, especially its women and youth, and caring for its children, to whom Africa’s future belongs, remains a priority above all priorities. Children of Africa need to understand the concept and wisdom of African culture to own it and guard it as a heritage for future generations,’ she said.
Source: Namibia Press Agency
