Group Seeks Concrete Policies for Sustainable Devt in Africa

• Marches against neo-colonialism, nepotism, others in Ghana

Sunday Okobi

African political leaders have been enjoined to put in place workable policies and programmes that would stimulate sustainable development on the continent. This was the agreement of experts during the fifth quarterly summit Neo-Black Movement (NBM) of Africa Western Regional at the weekend in Accra, Ghana.

Opening the discourse with the theme: ‘Advocacy and Action, the Urgency of Now’, the Executive Chairperson, African Youth Union Commission (AYUC), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Dr. Carl Oshodi, urged the political class to promote a meaningful economic development through financial assistance to the deprived populations to commensurate with their needs.

In a statement made available to THISDAY wednesday, Oshodi, in a lecture titled: ‘Youth Development in Africa: Historical Perspective and Contemporary Challenges to Sustainable Development’, warned that failure to heed the appeal in the past had resulted in political upheavals as well as collapse of both the private sectors, among other unpleasant developments.

He noted that over 500 million African youths struggle daily for survival while their commonwealth is being pillaged by the political elite.
According to him, “Government, private sectors and citizens’ joint partnership can create outstanding results and hopes in community and organisational setting, where the stem of sustainable development hangs.
“The only factor that attempts to eliminate ethnic, religious economic and cultural barriers is the fundamental change in policies of government and private sectors; a veritable instruments that fertilises social justice, economic advancement and security of people.”
Also speaking at the summit in Accra, an expert, Tom Imafidon, noted that poverty as a global phenomenon emanates partly from skewed international capitalist maneuverings which many policies of governments in the developing world help to further nurture through under-development.

He submitted that self-sufficiency and independence were key to poverty reduction and sustainable development.
On his part, Dr. Anthony Orunkoya said in consonance with its vision to enthrone an egalitarian society, NBM was willing to partner with other advocacy groups to end human trafficking, prostitution, among other social ills through mass campaign, enlightenment and other non-violent means.

To underscore its seriousness, the movement birthed the non-violent March for Justice and Peace.
In his remarks, according to the statement, the Regional Head, NBM West, Gerald Azonobo, said the peaceful protest was against mental slavery, neo-colonialism, nepotism, terrorism and societal ills as well as to reawaken Africans to black consciousness, civilisation, freedom and justice.

He said: “Members assembled with the company of the Ghanaian police who provided their security vans and escort motorcycles with banners carrying different inscriptions to champion the cause.”

Highlights of the summit in Ghana was delegates of the NBM of Africa’s visitation to the Cape Coast ( A story of the Atlantic Slave Trade) during the event under the leadership of the National Head and President of the movement, Felix Edore Kupa.

According to Kupa, the sad history of Ghana’s slave castles as well as the shocking stories of her Cape Coast, slave fortresses, and their significance to her transformation was well told, written and documented.