An Open Letter To African Youth: The Africa We Want, Always Possible, Yes We Can

The 12th of August 2018 marks the international Day for the celebration of youth across the world. It is a day for celebrating the development ,power and participation of youth in shaping the world and making it a Better place.

There is no doubt the youth of countries remain a critical resource in the 21st century nation building and development. With over billions youth across the world, Africa remains one of the most densely populated youthful continents. With over 70% of the continent population under age 30years, the continent is a destination for harnessing the potentials of youth demographic dividends. Harnessing the youthful demographic dividends requires conscious effort of African countries to make the right and meaningful investments in their youth. The spillover effects investing in the youth come with enormous benefits to countries, Nations and continents. Like factors of production, the youth is the driving force of human capital for stimulating productivity levels for economic growth and development in the 21st century with the right kind of investments in them. The youthful population of Africa brings to us a lot hope and affirmation that with all necessary resources for youth development, youth power and youth participation in place, our youth are not a threat but a conduit for harnessing economic growth and development of Nations. The youth becomes the raw material to be harnessed in achieving "The Africa We Want" Agenda of the African Union.

The "Future of Africa We Want" brings to us a lot of hope as young Africans to envisage our crucial role in helping build a better continent.The future of Africa We Want gives us a message of a rise of a new Africa, arise of an economic giant and a rise of a destination or hub of human capital for world development.

The Future We Want For Africa behooves on all African youth in leadership, aspiring leaders, students, Civil activists, change makers, Entrepreneurs etc to see the hope of a New Africa. The hope of a New Africa requires us to see beyond our narrative, history, current predicaments, Aftermath of war challenges corruption, poverty,unemployment saddled with economic hardships and seeing them as an opportunity to carry our dear continent on our shoulders and tackle grave problems we currently face as a continent. The New Africa We Want requires a revolution of mindset leveraging on our networks, human capital and natural resources to bring changes right at the door step of our Nations. The New Africa is about African youth moving out of the four corners of our academic environment and effecting practical solutions to problems at the grassroots level. The New Africa is for youth leading our communities, countries through change in attitudes towards our environment, roads etc and taking radical steps with opinion leaders through dialogue, negotiations and Town Hall meetings to tackle basic needs of education, sanitation and poverty reduction. It is about African youth connecting with every member of our communities to realise the potentials of both human and natural resources at our disposal and harnessing them for common prosperity, shared growth and development.

As Mahatma Gandhi said: Be the change you wish to see in the world, African youth becoming agents of change irrespective of political colors, Ethnicity, Educational or social status, Race,Gender etc, the hope for A NEW AFRICA rising is highly achievable. Africa will be a beacon of innovations and inventions with team spirit,Focus,Determination ,Power of Networks. With African youth moving out of cities to roll up sleeves with rural Africa through knowledge sharing and skills exchange, the gap between rural Africa and Urban Africa can be bridged. Thus, African youth realizing that an opportunity to serve in rural Africa is not a punishment but a platform to write your own story in an African way by touching lives and bringing hope at the doorstep of communities in need. It is indeed an opportunity for shaping goals, visions and destinies of Nations.

THE BANE OF AFRICAN YOUTH:An opportunity to mend ways and Build Bridges.

Governance and leadership is a major cause of underdevelopment in many developing nations especially in Africa and this has been one of the major concerns of African youth. It's very true some countries in Africa are still struggling with who should lead, who qualifies to lead and who can lead best. We keep complaining about poor leadership grossly exhibited by some African leaders. However this is the time to prepare ourselves well with the right type of skills, education, persona, Attitudes, Networks etc to start building the bridges.It may not take a day weeks or months or years but even if is a lifetime achievement is worth fighting for. Our current leaders are doing their part and as it may seem to them, it may be their best. However that can be your starting point to bring the new Africa with your right attitude connected with the right people.

As far as I know, countries like Rwanda and Liberia have emerged as the new Eagle of Africa shaping destinies of the continent. We may not have to be in Kigali to see a New Africa but with the right revolted mindsets, we can help shape the destinies of our nations today, tomorrow and years to come.

Don't ask what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country (John F. Kennedy).

I see a new Dangote, Kofi Annan, Mo Ibrahim, Fred Swaniker, Strive Masiyiwa, Tony Elumelu.

I see a new Sankara, Nkrumah, Kenyatta, Lumumba, Sekou, Haile Selassie, Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther ....

All Emerging!!!!!
As we read this simple notes, let's get back to work today and tomorrow with the right attitudes and mindsets for the New Africa We Want which may seem impossible Now Until is Done.

By:Seth Konadu Awuah
African Youth And Governance Conference Alumni
[email protected]
+233(0)265819860