Africa suffers from bad followership....Gil Harper, Executive Secretary: Communications, Africa Alliance of YMCAs
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
30 October 2009
The problem in Africa is not just one of leadership – but actually more one of followership, according to Carlos Sanvee, General Secretary of the Africa Alliance of YMCAs, speaking yesterday at the opening ceremony of the Africa YMCA Youth Summit 2009.
Held at the Africa Hall of the Economic Commission for Africa, United Nations building, the opening ceremony marked the beginning of the Summit which is entitled 'From Subject to Citizen: African Youth Claiming their Space, Influencing for Positive Transformation'.
Ethiopian Youth Minister, Aster Mamo, spoke of the importance of synergising programmes and resources under the National Youth Policy in Ethiopia, and the need for government and civil society to work together.
“I would like to reiterate the commitment of the government in creating an enabling environment both for the holistic empowerment of the Ethiopian youth and for smooth working and partnership among development actors,” she said.
The ceremony was officiated by the Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, Abba Paulos, who is also President of the World Council of Churches and the Patron of the Ethiopia YMCA.
Youth spoke out of their pride in their countries and continent during the colourful opening ceremony. Some taught the group greetings in their local languages and the vuvuzela (1) was blown, a circus act performed and a vibrant band had participants dancing. All this in the very hall that African leaders decided on the formation of the African Union!
Dr Berhanu Tadesse, President of the Ethiopia YMCA, said, “We need to transform our youth from spectators to players and from mere subjects to citizens. He said transformative change will come through providing space for dialogue, open and transparent communication and building the capacity to tolerate and accommodate new ideas and differences.”
On the issue of leadership and followership, Sanvee said, “One of our major challenges in Africa is the challenge of followership. In other words, who we follow, who inspires our action or who our role models are.
“Bad governance followers will become bad while in leadership positions and therefore will continue to elect people who serve their interests. We need to focus on genuine empowerment for the Renaissance of Africa, and it is important that we build a new generation of leaders.
Sanvee explained that at the summit, participants will seek ways to 'liberate' the minds of youth, set new patterns for thinking and moving towards a status where youth are citizens rather than subject.
Running until 5 November 2009, the Summit focuses on building the civic competence of selected youth leaders from 12 YMCA movements in Africa.
During the Summit, the 70 youth participants will identify major youth crises, analyse root causes and develop action plans to become agents of transformation.
African youth participants are from Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Madagascar, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, The Gambia, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Joining them are participants from YMCAs in Canada, Germany and Norway and the United States, as well as from World Alliance of YMCAs in Switzerland and Y-Care International in United Kingdom.
1. Used at soccer matches, it emits a really loud and authentically African sound to show appreciation and encouragement for the team you are supporting.
This article originally appeared in the Siyahamba - newsletter of the Africa Alliance of YMCA
Development / Ghana / Africa / Modernghana.com