Africa must work hard at weaknesses - Baawine

African leaders must analyse the continent's situation to remedy its weaknesses for progress, Mr. Kwaku Baawine, Deputy Upper West Regional Co-coordinator of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), has said.

Speaking on the topic, "Emancipation, Our Heritage, Our Strength", to honour African heroes to mark this year's Emancipation Day celebration in Wa on Wednesday, he explained that this was necessary if Africa's voice was to be heard in the "committee of nations".

The Day was organised under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism and Diaspora Relations in solidarity with African descendants in Jamaica and the Diaspora in commemoration of their struggle for self-determination and freedom centuries ago.
Mr. Baawine urged Africans to build self-confidence and to realise that the West had reached where it is by generating and directing their thoughts positively.

Even though Africa's wealth is acknowledged worldwide, he questioned why the people of the continent were still poor and ignorant.
He called on African leaders to encourage creativity and ingenuity, especially in the fabrication of tools and the manufacture of cars and planes and to "stop glorifying and floating over academic achievements".
There is a big difference between intuitive genius and academic scholarship. Let us therefore believe in ourselves and others, bearing in mind that God in his infinite wisdom has imbued everyone of us with special talents and abilities", he stated.