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The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration has marked this year’s African Union (AU) Day, May 25, with a flagraising ceremony at the forecourt of the State House in Accra.
Africa Day, which is marked on May 25th is the anniversary of the formation of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), the precursor to the Africa Union, in 1963.
Mr Kwaku Ampratum-Sarpong, a Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration and Mrs
Imane Ouaadil, the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco to Ghana and the Dean of the African Group of Ambassadors and High Commissioners accredited to Ghana, respectively hosted the flags of Ghana and the AU at the ceremony.
This year’s celebration, which is on the theme: “Educate an African Fit for the 21st Century: Building Resilient Education Systems for Increased Access to Inclusive, Lifelong, Quality, and Relevant Learning in Africa” is crucial for the development of the Continent.
It seeks to symbolise unity among AU Member States, promote solidarity and reflect on progress made by the Union while acknowledging challenges in the continent’s development and integration efforts.
The AU Day is celebrated to commemorate the efforts of its founding fathers such as Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana, Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia; President Gamage Abdul Nasser of Egypt and President Ben Bella of Algeria, who envisioned the attainment of a united Africa and fought tirelessly for the total liberation of all African Member States.
Mr Ampratum-Sarpong said it was imperative that as Africans celebrate the occasion annually, they imbibe the spirit of oneness and keep burning the flame of emancipation as posited by their forebearers to realise the vision of “An Integrated, Prosperous and Peaceful Africa, Driven by its Own Citizens and Representing a Dynamic Force in the International arena”, as also enshrined in our collectively envisioned Agenda 2063.
The Deputy Minister said the AU recognises the cardinal importance of peace, security, stability and economic growth for the prosperity of its people.
He urged Member States to strengthen their commitment to the AfCFTA as it had the potential to shape the future of the continent, strengthen its position in the global market, uplift the lives of its peoples and accelerate the sustainable growth and development of the continent.
He said the Government of Ghana would continue to invest more in education to empower every Ghanaian to meet the human resource needs of the country.
Imane Ouaadil, the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco to Ghana and the Dean of the African Group of Ambassadors and High Commissioners accredited to Ghana, said the AU Year of Education was a unique opportunity to recommit member states to achieving the Continental Strategy for Education in Africa, Agenda 2030 and Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4, as well as Agenda 2063.
In attendance at the event were Members of the diplomatic community in Ghana, students from Accra High School, Accra Girls Senior High School and St Thomas Aquinas Senior High School.
Source: myghanadaily
