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02.12.2015 Diaspora (USA)

Okyenhene Speaks With YALI At GIMPA.

By Richard Ofori Atta
Okyenhene Speaks With YALI At GIMPA.
02.12.2015 LISTEN

Yesterday I had the privilege and honor of covering the most inspiring speech of any African Public or Traditional Leader in my lifetime. This speech was given by His Majesty Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin, the ruling King of Okyeman Royal Kingdom in Ghana.

His Majesty was speaking to students of President Barack Obama's Young African Leadership Initiative and Mandela Fellows, West Africa. HM, spoke to the young future leaders of Africa about the urgent need for African youth to be prepared for honest leadership and to get involved in politics of their nations. To speak up, as a means to curb the dangers of selfish greedy leaders, corruption, injustice, democratic dictatorship and climate change. To be prepared in order to bring about good leadership, sustainable growth and economic development in African society.

HM, stressed the importance of good education and mentoring for African youth; especially young ladies to empower them into productive leadership and management roles in community service, business, government and humanitarian organizations. "Women are the most important and powerful force in our communities; hence much must be done to improve their lives in Africa". - HM.

HM, spoke of the many setbacks that Africans endure due to extreme poverty, inability of African nations to work together for their common good, lack of: fiscal accountability, financial responsibility and infrastructure development. The high level of poverty creates the absence of strong bargaining power to negotiate for investments that creates employment and wealth to assist in growing the economies of Africa.

Since independence from colonialism, Africa have yet to achieve the dreams of former leaders and freedom fighters such as Dr. Nkrumah, when he declared to the world; "Until the continent of Africa is free from colonialism, wars and dictatorship the world will not have peace". -DKN.

His Majesty, also expressed what a powerful statement it was when Dr. Nkrumah said; "The African is capable and ready to govern itself and own affairs without international interference".

HM, said, unfortunately the aspirations and hopes of a democratically governed and a viable economic sustainable Africa has not come to realization. Sadly in this century of self-thinking computers, of yet Africa is decades behind the rest of the world.

We are in the 21st century and Africa is unacceptably still behind on technological innovations, good governance, honest leadership, combating climate change, economic growth, infrastructure development, education, employment, social welfare and sustainable self-dependence.

However, with the emerging energy of leadership and intelligence of the youth. This is the decade for positive change in leadership, governance and economic growth in Africa. But only if the youth of Africa are prepared to become good honest future leaders of high moral integrity on this continent

HM, spoke of the many irresponsible demands on our natural resources from the developed world. Yet they refuse to establish factories and businesses in Africa that can produce finished products to export and to enable the improvement of employment. Which will increase the value of our gross domestic products and help reduce the level of indebtedness of Africa to bodies such as the IMF.

HM, spoke against the unthinkable levels of obscene corruption in governance, public service, leadership, and civic communities. Due to the prevalence of inhuman democratic dictatorship and lack of accountability in most African nations.

HM, levelled against the destructive abusers of natural resources causing adverse effects on our climate and the inhuman harm that those in power are causing with democratic dictatorship in Africa. Bad leaders are leveraging against the future of the over 200 million growing young work force in Africa and this must come to an immediate end.

HM, further elaborated on the abundance of corruption in Africa by naming a new syndrome he coined. "OCCS: Obsessive Compulsive Corruption Syndrome". Stressing the need for the youth of today to speak up loud and clear against such atrocities in Africa.

"Although you may think your voice may be ignored speak with honest and integrity anyway against corruption and injustice. Because Martin Luther spoke of a future when black people are judged by the content of their character and not the color of their skin. 57 years later there's a black man in the White House. Nelson Mandela spoke against the injustice of apartheid and was willing to die for his belief in a free South Africa. 27 years later he became the first President of a freed South Africa".

African youth needs to get involved in politics, leadership and governance or be subject to governance by people of inferior intelligence and character. This is the time generation of hope and change for a better Africa. The youth must prepare beyond academics and credentials. They must have good hearts, unrelenting moral judgment honest integrity; the kind that you do the right thing even if no one is watching.

HM, concluded by encouraging the youth of Africa to be mindful and put the needs of communities above themselves. Saying "the urgent need for positive change and community involvement is about others". African youth must aspire for greatness by becoming honest emerging leaders of positive change. Youth must speak up to curb mediocrity and selfish democratic dictatorship in Africa. Emerging leaders must be prepared to speak up against corruption and injustice. Leaders must lead with honest integrity to prevent corruption. Leaders must ensure that generations to come can inherit a better prosperous Africa.

"The time for positive change, good democratic governance, sustainable economic development and honest humanitarian leadership in Africa has come and much is expected of the young and emerging leaders of Africa". -HIs Majesty Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin.

HRH Prince Duke Kesse-Adu Gyamfi IV.
President, CEO & Co-Founder.
Future Africa Foundation, USA.
Future Africa Radio & TV, USA.
Phone: 804-943-5597, USA. Phone: 0560300356, Ghana. [email protected]

@hrhprinceduke

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