New Year’s Letter to African Leaders

Dear Presidents of Africa.

I pray this letter finds you in great health condition and on high spirit and sense of patriotism for mother Africa.

I am aware that you do not have mountain of time reading beyond two-page letter so I would be succinct in my five points-advice as I pray that it make sense to you and to dear citizens of Africa especially the students of political science, international relations and policy makers. 

Please note that Africa is in a win-win situation in the midst of the ongoing rift and simmering conflicts among the leading economies over global dominance, diplomacy, security and alliances. 

1. Your limited time as a leader must be useful and beneficial to the present generation and the ones unborn, in that your name should stand tall among the group of leaders in your time, for the great things you have done for your country and Africa. I am sure you know this long before assuming power but the holy books upon whichever you swear oath of office and allegiance taught us to remind each other of necessary things to do every day or once in a while.

2. ?A time or opportunity has presented itself to you on a silver platter for the good of your country and Africa at large. I am referring to the rising geopolitical insecurity, struggle for power and alliances, sustainable economic development and prosperity emanating from nations wanting recognition as modern day super powers either militarily, economically, politically or all.

The rise of China, Russia and India to the centre stage of World economics, military might and political diplomacy has awaken countries like Türkiye, Brazil, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirate (UAE) to realize their potentials, economic powers and thus driving them to seek and consolidate their powers beyond their borders as it was done by the colonial powers in the past 4-6 centuries ago.

3. The youthful population of your country together with the natural resources that Africa has been blessed with is now needed more than ever and so your decision and policies regarding the use of human capital and the nation’s resources for the development of your country, its people and Africa is imminent and more crucial now than ever.

Gone are the days when natural resources of Africa could be deliberately left to rot as means of punishing the African countries or governments that did not succumb to the western demands. Today, if my sources are right, Türkiye and UAE are ready to purchase almost all the raw materials, minerals and everything that Africa produces to store, add value and resell it to the highest bidder at higher prices. Which means none of our natural resources like cocoa, timber, bananas and etc and our minerals like gold, diamonds and lithium, would be wasted or rotten if we decide to mine them on our own terms or harvest them anytime we wish.

More importantly, with Russia rising as the saviour of Africa, no nation would ever again think of colonizing Africa and forcing us to sell anything including our women and children or the strong men of Africa by force as it was done 4 centuries ago.

The balance of power in the more unpredictable world is setting stage for fairer world.

Africa can now demand correct prices for its natural resources and minerals from around the World.

• It is time for you and fellow Africa leaders to demand a permanent seat for Africa at the United Nations (UN) Security Council or boycott the UN system in general if your demand is not met within 12months.

Don’t be afraid or timid Mr. President, your citizens and the African youth would support you. Majority of Africans are on social media and connected to the World by digital system and so they are fully aware of what’s going on around the World including the hypocrisy of the western response regards to injustices taking place in Gaza in contrast to the Russia-Ukraine war while the episodes of Libya, Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria and apartheid regime in South Africa are still glaring and fresh in our minds. 

The west is left with no clear choice but to choose the path of diplomacy in attempt to rescue itself from the repercussions of slave trade and the maltreatment of Africans including some minority communities in their cities. Although situation is dramatically changing in the West, thanks to global education, tourism and exchange programs around the World there are still incidents of racism in major cities globally. 

It is just refreshing to note that no super power can now subjugate African countries to sell or coerce it to sign any contract or law against the will of the African people and this is a great development in the history of the World.

• Finally, I understand that you have or at liberty to gather all the great thinkers, policy makers, academicians and technocrats in your countries to advice you and thus relegating my humble piece of advice as a mediocre and unworthy for Presidents to consider without subjecting it to the penchants of politically motivated persons.

This is the more reason I chose to make this the very last for you to ponder over.

Please Mr. President(s), do the necessary by assembling the policy makers, academicians, technocrats, business leaders, teachers, farmers, journalists, the civil society groups, religious and traditional leaders and youth groups to counsel you for the development of the nation.

You may have campaigned for power on certain promises and policies that you wish to deliver on but the leaders who are in close contacts with the electorates can best advice you after you gain power and they would advise you based on the realities on the ground just as their advice would usually base on needs of their subjects.

If you listen to them and the directions they gave failed at least you have listened and acted on their advises. You must act, if you really wish to bring about change, in good faith. I trust God would not let you down especially when you give power back to the people who voted for you or otherwise, by doing so, you automatically become the father and servant for all.

My number one prayer is to see Agriculture boom and priorities be given to poultry, livestock, fish, rice, millet, Maize and soybeans farming including the yam, cassava and the everyday needs; tomatoes, onions and pepper.

A very serious strategic policy on the above would inadvertently make Ghana and Africa food sufficient and net exporter of food.

African Leaders; wise up, stand up and rise for Africa and the African Youth.

I stand for two state solutions in the Israel-Palestinian conflict. Injustice anywhere is injustice everywhere.

The writer is an Eminent Member of the National Peace Council of Ghana, GA Region.

Executive Secretary of the Tijjaniya Muslims Movement of Ghana (TMMG).

By Alhaji Khuzaima Mohammed Osman 

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