African leaders have received a clarion call to foster a viable economic ecosystem that nurtures the talents of young individuals, thereby mitigating the trend of migration to foreign countries in search of better opportunities.
Madam Sa Mata Gifty Bukari, the Consul General of the Ghana Consulate in Lagos, emphasized this imperative during Ghana’s 67th independence celebration. She underscored the need for Africa to harness its abundant raw materials to manufacture competitive products, stemming the tide of talent drain.
Addressing the audience, she advocated for initiatives to retain African youth within the continent, suggesting engagement in small-scale farming and adopting modern agricultural techniques to bolster food security. Additionally, she urged the continent to transition from raw material exportation to value-added industrialization, thus enhancing competitiveness and earning foreign exchange.
Madam Bukari also highlighted the importance of leveraging the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to facilitate economic integration and collaboration among African nations. She expressed Ghana’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with Nigeria for mutual benefit.
Echoing this sentiment, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State commended Ghanaians for their peaceful coexistence with Nigerians. He emphasized the need for both countries to foster unity and collaboration for the collective growth of the continent. Represented by the state’s Head of Diaspora Affairs, Esv Jermaine Sanwo-Olu, the governor emphasized the importance of unity in diversity, quoting Kwame Nkrumah’s famous words: “united we must be.” He emphasized that differences between Ghanaians and Nigerians should serve to unite rather than divide, advocating for a collective vision for Africa’s progress and prosperity.
