“My message to you young people is to focus on what needs to be done in Africa, to make the continent a good place to live.”
Professor Horace Campbell, Third Occupant of the Kwame Nkrumah Chair, at the Institute of African Studies, University of Ghana-Legon, said this in Accra, at the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Lecture, as part of activities to mark the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences (GAAS) Founder’s Week celebration for the year 2018.
Speaking on the topic, “Saving Lake Chad and the Unification of Africa:The Inspiration of Kwame Nkrumah,” Prof. Campbell observed, that whilst sustaining environmental and ecological balance was vital to Africa’s survival, there was little political will on the part of the current leadership of the continent to halt threats to these vital factors.
He said in the past, young people all over the world including Africa, had led noble causes and managed to bring about positive change, adding that the fight to end the apartheid system in South Africa was a typical example.
Prof. Campbell said Lake Chad for example was currently quite a shadow of its past, when it was a real lake and supported both animal and plant life, as well as the socio-economic well being of several people.
He said there were about 20,000 fish dealers in Chad when Lake Chad was in its full glory, whilst others engaged in farming activities, which the lake easily supported.
Prof. Campbell said whilst oil appeared to be a key factor in the global economy, water was of prime economic essence, because it supported life in several ways.
He said by the year 2080, experts estimate that most of Africa’s waters would dry up, if environmental degradation is not stopped at its current rate.
Prof. Campbell recalled, that Ghana’s founding President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, said there was the need for Africa to unite for economic viability first of all, and recovery of the continent’s mineral wealth.
He said Lake Chad for example could be saved by transferring water from the Congo into the lake, which could only be done in an atmosphere of unity and cooperation among the states involved.
Prof. Campbell, said the issue of Lake Chad, held great reflection for the larger African scenario, where cooperation between different countries was needed for progress on the continent and quoted Dr. Nkrumah who said, “Africa’s political unity is an inescapable consideration for transformation.”
He said it was however not possible for states to engage effectively with each other, when factors that destabilised states such as civil wars, and other forms of internal strife persisted.
Prof Campbell said the core task now of all stake-holders in African unity, was to fight against every barrier that obstructed the continent’s unification.
He said improving and strengthening social infrastructure, ensuring ready and easily accessible health care for the citizenry, improving tourism among a number of others, were some of the needed interventions on the continent and added, “we need to take charge of our responsibilities now as many did years ago, and take ourselves seriously as Africans.”
Prof Campbell continued, “to young Africans, you have the choice of either resolving to stay and help build your own continent, or to leave and seek greener pastures elsewhere.”
The program was chaired by Prof Aba Bentil Andam, President of the GAAS.
The Academy’s anniversary program is the oldest of its traditions.
It started in November 1960 as the first anniversary celebration, and in November every year since then, the Academy has celebrated the Anniversary.
The week is filled with activities, with particular attention on topical national and issues.
The week starts with the Speech of the president of the Academy, followed by three days of symposium. The last day is dedicated to what was once known as the Anniversary Lecture, which is now renamed the Kwame Nkrumah memorial lecture, in memory of the founder.
