Online Reporter
Nyore Madzianike
AFRICANS, including those in the diaspora, should invest in African economies, industries, and infrastructure to create sustainable livelihood opportunities for the continent and its people, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Professor Amon Murwira said yesterday.
Speaking during the 62nd-anniversary celebrations of the Organisation of African Unity (now African Union) held at the Museum of African Liberation in Harare, Prof Murwira said Africans should collectively coordinate and intensify efforts to foster development to achieve the aspirations of the agenda of the “Africa we Want”.
“We call upon all people of African descent, including those in the diaspora, to invest in African economies, industries, and infrastructure to create sustainable livelihood opportunities for our people.
“We are grateful that under the banner of the African Union, the leaders and peoples of Africa seek to collectively coordinate and intensify efforts to foster development in order to achieve the aspirations of the ‘Africa we Want’.
“It is encouraging that to date as we are in the process of the second 10-year implementation plan journey of Agenda 2063, where we have realised notable achievements towards regional integration, maintenance of peace and security on the continent and the creation of conditions to accelerate economic growth through continental projects,” Prof Murwira said to an audience that included diplomats from the African continent.
“The principled position by His Excellency Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa that ‘Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo/ a country is built by its own people’ resonates with the aspirations of people of Africa and should be emulated at the continental level.
“The Africa We Want will be built by ourselves as Africans with others coming in to support us on our agenda.”
Cultural activities and exhibitions from African nations were also on display at the spectacular event that was running under the theme: “Justice for Africans and people of African descent through reparations.”
Prof Murwira said true justice cannot exist without representation and the ability of African countries to influence decisions that affect Africans.
To that end, he said Africa should have representatives at all global levels of governance and policy-making.
There was need to abandon colonial architecture to liberate and develop Africa.
The Africa Day Commemorations, said Prof Murwira, gives people time to reflect on past and present struggles, mapping an inclusive future.
