Statement By The Vice-President Of The Republic Of Ghana, H. E. Alhaji Aliu Mahama, At The Opening Of The Eleventh Ordinary Session Of The Executive Council Of The African Union In Accra, Ghana, From 28th To 29th June 2007 At The Accra International Conference Centre
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Your Excellencies, Members of the Executive Council; Your Excellency, Professor Alpha Oumar Konare, Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union; Your Excellencies, Commissioners and Members of the Commission of the African Union; Your Excellencies, Members of the Diplomatic Corps; Distinguished Invited Guests; Distinguished Members of the Media; Ladies and Gentlemen:
I would like to welcome all of you to Accra, a city brimming with activities in a
year-long celebration of Ghana's historic 50th Independence Anniversary. The presence of so many Ministers among us is, no doubt, an eloquent testimony of your attachment to the principles and ideals of our continental body as well as your determination to be fully associated with the efforts to find solutions to the challenges facing Africa.
You are gathered here today to examine and finalise your work on the Union Government, to review the various reports by sectoral Ministers and to apply your minds to political, economic and other matters bearing on our Union, all with a view to enriching the debate of the Heads of State and Government and to help chart a new course for the benefit of our peoples, who rightly look up to us for a better future.
At no time in the history of this Union has the issue of Union Government for Africa become so crucial and, I must add, so urgent. It is therefore not a sheer coincidence that the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the Union
decided to devote its 9th Summit solely to the discussion of this important issue.
The Assembly charged you with the responsibility of undertaking a Brainstorming Session and hold an Extraordinary Session in South Africa on the issue of Union Government. I am quite confident that the outcome of your meetings should be a source of inspiration to guide the deliberations of the Assembly.
As you all know, the magnitude and complexity of the challenges facing Africa today compel us not only to strengthen continental unity and solidarity, but also to re-dynamise and invigorate our existing structures, while working towards the operationalisation of those structures that have not worked so efficiently and effectively.
We need also to look at the possibility of establishing new structures and mechanisms that are effective, robust and dynamic. It is for this reason that we should deploy all our energies and efforts to elaborate the necessary modalities and time frames for achieving the Union Government, to which all of us, I believe, subscribe.
Hon. Ministers, Ladies and Gentlemen, Africa today faces serious challenges to her developmental strategies. The debt burden, inequitable trading relations with the developed countries as well as the rampant conflicts on the continent have conspired to keep Africa poor and weak.
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Added to this unhappy situation is the impact of the HIV/AIDS pandemic and, even tbough there are reports that some of our countries are winning the war against this health menace, we have no reason to be complacent, for the loss of one African to this scourge should be seen as one too many.
Hon. Ministers, Ladies and Gentlemen, I must underscore the fact that it is not always gloom and despair on our continent. We have made appreciable progress in restoring democratic practices in many parts of Africa. More countries now uphold the rule of law and respect for human rights.
Though there are still pockets of violence and instability in Africa, more and more African countries are coming out of conflict and laying the foundations for sustained economic growth and sustainable development. The result of this is that the struggle against poverty and underdevelopment is slowly but gradually
being won, and Africa is poised to enjoy the benefits of peace, stability and progress.
I firmly believe that the secret to these new and positive trends is the new leadership on the continent, a leadership that has dedicated itself to re-directing the continent's destiny for peace, security and prosperity. We need to recognize with pride, that presently, the continent has a high number of leaders who are democratically elected and who respect the rights of the people on whose behalf they govern.
Hon. Ministers, Ladies and Gentlemen, I have tried in this address to highlight some of the major issues and challenges confronting our continent and at the same time drawing attention to the new renaissance, a new dawn where Africa is becoming increasingly independent, self-reliant, assertive and finding African solutions to African problems.
The entire continent is anxiously awaiting the outcome of your deliberations. The people of the continent count on your collective wisdom to provide them with the means to build a better future for themselves and their children. I am confident that you will not fail them and that together, we shall continue to work to build the kind of Union we all dream about.
I now wish to declare your meeting open and wish you fruitful deliberations. Thank you for your kind attention.
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