This video takes the viewer on a quick journey through the Challenges of Intra Africa’s Integration Resulting from Her Postcolonial Partitions and Leadership Problems”.
The Video features Prof. Patrick Lumumba (Guest Speaker), Dr. Jones Edobor (Host - Moderator), Prof. G.G. Darah (Discussant), Mr Godwin Etakubuebu (The Guru – Discussant), Dr. Peter Agwi (Discussant and Co-Host)
After the presentation of Prof Patrick Lumumba, the discussants discussed the vision of the first generation of African leaders to turn Africa’s political independence into economic independence to create a continent that overcomes the mental and psychological boundaries created by colonialism. Africans who continue to see themselves as Anglophones, Francophones, etc. are hindered by this mental barrier of colonial infrastructure and there is a need for Africans to decolonize their minds.
The discussants discussed the persistent impact of the arbitrary partitioning of Africa at the Berlin conference of 1884 -1885 by the European Colonial powers of the day, which was done not for the good of Africa but to reduce conflicts amongst themselves. Most of the conflicts in Africa today are a result of that conference, where people of the same culture were split and people of different cultures and tongues were lumped together. In order to disrupt the progress of Africa and hold the continent down those visionary leaders that led Africa into independence with a clear vision on how to convert flag independence to economic freedom were eliminated within the first decade or so of the post-colonial era. Since then, Africa has more or less been in disarray. In recent years, there’s an increasing realization that the artificially created boundaries in Africa are not sustainable, hence there will continue to be agitations and conflicts until such a time as the leaders understand the issues at stake and find ways to master them. These artificial boundaries make Africa weak and hinder her from realizing her potential.
Currently, Africa with 55 countries has been unable to achieve peace and prosperity due to these boundaries, corruption and bad leadership. Furthermore, the discussants identified the quality of followership in Africa as a major problem and raised the question of whether people who sell their votes or whose motivations for voting for a candidate based on clan affiliation, religion or ethnicity are not harming the development of their nations.
Africans are beginning to realize that the quality of their leaders is standing in their way to progress, as most leaders get into office not to serve but to enrich themselves. The deliberate weaponization of poverty as a means of control is inhibiting the people of Africa from exercising their intellectual capacity in a manner that could be beneficial to themselves. The increasing realization that leadership and governance are about utilizing Africa’s human and material resources in such a way as to provide and improve the quality of life of citizens to make them realize their full potential is rising. To achieve this, Africans must decolonize and emancipate their minds from the current mental capture.
Africa has great promise but its current circumstance is also very disturbing. The continent is at a crossroads; it must be very cautious of which part it takes – intensify intra Africa’s trade and integration or fragmentation in a world that is developing towards various forms of blocks.
In conclusion, the discussants were optimistic that though the challenges are much but are not impossible to master. The task is to liberate the minds and energize the younger generation to think differently. They need to overcome the current intellectual and mental boundaries created by the colonial era and reclaim their continent by providing Africa oriented leadership.
This is an extremely interesting video that will help viewers better understand the challenges facing Africa in her quest for development and self-definition