Africa is home

There has always existed a family of Africans with similar cultures and togetherness. The Ga people of Ghana referred to this family as Jaku. This implies that every person with a drop of African blood in him or her is a member of the Jaku. This is because African culture does not consider any child as illegitimate or inferior. Meaning all Africans fall under a tree of togetherness.

During the era when racism did not exist but virtue, some Africans including Severius Septimius(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Septimius_Severus) became emperors of Rome and some of the early Popes and saints of the Christian Church like Saint Augustine and Saint Maurice were Africans. But today, things have changed. The thirst for power and influence in the world has limited the growth of other nations. Few Africans have been given the opportunity to take the lead in other continents due to self-growth promotion and power. Therefore African leaders’ perception and the inability of Africa to progress on its own has exposed most of its resources to its colonial masters. This call for assistance from its masters has plundered its resources to greatly benefit Europeans and Euro-Americans. This has therefore limited the self-growth of Africa.

Not relying on the fact that the African continent is considered to be the second largest continent in the world with a total area of 11,700,000 square miles, the continent also has a rich geography and interesting history making it inspiringly bio-diversified. It is a land with plenty and has diverse fields which can be invested in, without depending on European assistance. But we divert our efforts in the quest to live like Europeans. We no longer talk of a unified Africa nor a Unified country but separated nations. We no longer put our efforts and talents together. And as a result corruption, instability and injustice, just to name a few have become our daily bread.

With all resources in possession, what Africans need is good leadership which will indulge the hardworking spirit and togetherness in youths. Youths in Africa today, are isolated and underrepresented in government across the continent as compared to years before when a young man in his thirties could become president of a country. But today, the ratio of under-representation of youth in Africa is alarmingly high. They are left out from key decision making processes. The younger generation is more energetic, knowledgeable, equipped, and prepared to address the fast moving issues of today than the establishment leadership. Unfortunately, we are left with old leadership and institutions that are unable to take any meaningful action to address the issues most relevant to young people. If our political leaders can consider the strength of youths, there will be a positive change and economic growth in the country and in the African Continent.

On the other hand, are the youths really doing anything about the deplorable situation they find themselves in? Sure a few have taken giant steps which are worth emulating by the younger generation. What about the vast majority of African youths? They spend their time complaining about how bad the situation is but do basically nothing about it. Remember that by complaining and taking no proper action, you are only worsening the already deteriorating situation. It is true most of our leaders are incompetent and outright selfish. On the other hand, if we can all unite and take proper action against them, we will then begin to move forward. We complain about the the absence of jobs but what about our ability to create jobs? When a few do, the best the others can do is plot their downfall and we expect to grow. In the end, in the name of greener pastures, we flee the continent to other parts of the world. When those same foreigners take the advantage to exploit us, we start the whole process of complaining over and over. Our lives end up in an unending loop of complains and inaction. Until we realize this truth and wake up from slumber, we have not yet started. True and rapid growth will only be experienced when the youth together with the old leaders can work together, putting the interest of the continent first. In the end, remember this; "The laziness and inactivity of another person should never be an excuse for your laziness".

 

 By Lenjo Audry N.