Sierra Leone’s High Commissioner in Accra, Ghana and Ambassador to Togo and Burkina Faso Her Excellency Francess Virginia Anderson, has together with other African Heads of Mission attended this year’s flag raising ceremony in commemoration of the 61st anniversary of the African Union Day.
The ceremony held at the Forecourt of the Statehouse brought together officials of the government, members of the Diplomatic corps, members of the Ghana Armed Forces, other security services, school going pupils and other invited guests.
Addressing guests during the flag raising ceremony, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Ghana Hon. Kwaku Ampratwum-Sarpong described the commemoration event as one that seeks to symbolize unity among African member states, promote solidarity, and reflect on progress made by the African Union whiles acknowledging challenges in the continent’s development and integration efforts.
The African Union Day, he said, is celebrated to commemorate the efforts of our founding fathers who envisioned the attainment of a united Africa and fought tirelessly for the total liberation of all African member States.
According to him, it is imperative that as we celebrate this occasion annually, we imbibed the spirit of oneness, an integrated, prosperous, and peaceful Africa driven by its own.
The African Union he added recognizes the cardinal importance of peace, security, stability and economic growth for the prosperity of its people, adding that it is for this reason that the African leaders remain committed to addressing issues of food security, energy crisis, upholding democracy, climate change, general conflict and terrorism facing the continent in its march towards attainment of the AU agenda of 2063.
With the theme for the 61st anniversary of the African Union Day which is Educate an African fit for the 21st Century: Building resilient education systems for increased access to inclusive, lifelong, quality, and relevant learning in Africa, the Deputy Foreign Minister called on the youth to get a sober reflection on our collective aspirations in our, community, country and continent at large by using this occasion to remain resolute and committed to the shared vision of the agenda 2063 of the African Union and celebrate the day as Africans with Dignity.
Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco who doubles as the Dean of the African Group of Ambassadors and High Commissioner, Her Excellency Mrs. Imane Ouaadil, in her statement, commended member states of the African Union for their resilience in moving it forward.
She said the 2024 AU day commemoration theme, shows its commitment to education has contributed immensely to the continent’s progress since the 60’s noting that now more than ever, this resolve must transform Africa into the world’s powerhouse for the 21st century.
She said it is part of our cardinal responsibilities to promote political, economic and socio-cultural partnership that will lead to the realization of mutual benefits for our continent citing that with knowledge being power, education is the key to unlock that power.
Representative of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) congratulated the African Union and all Africans on yet another anniversary.
He said the formation of AfCFTA is born out of the African Union and its work since 1961 and went on to appeal to partners who intend to see the growth of Africa to support the implementation of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to enhance the development of Africa.
Hoisting of the African Union Flag and the Flag of Ghana were done by the Dean of the African Group of Ambassadors, Her Excellency Mrs. Imane Ouaadil and the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Ghana Hon. Kwaku Ampratwum-Sarpong followed by a tree planting exercise.
On May 25 each year, Africa Day, originally known as Africa Union Day, is commemorated.
It remembers the historic day in 1963, when African nations came organized to form the Organization of African Unity,
It is a day to express joy over the many successes and progress made throughout the continent while diagnosing each nation’s challenges with strategies on overcoming them.