The former Ghanaian President, Mr. Nana Akufo-Addo, has called on Nigeria’s political and economic elites to take on a more assertive leadership role in West Africa and support efforts to unify the continent through intra-African trade and regional integration.
Delivering the keynote speech at the launch of ‘A Journey in Service’, the autobiography of former Nigerian Military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (rtd) on Thursday in Abuja, Akufo-Addo emphasized Nigeria’s strategic role in shaping Africa’s future.
He acknowledged the current challenges facing Nigeria, but stressed that Africa’s progress depends on Nigeria assuming its “historic responsibilities” to drive regional stability and economic growth.
“I cannot forgo the chance of this prestigious platform to mount an important hobby horse of mine, and that is the appeal I’ve made before in this great country to the political and economic elite of the Federal Republic—to aggressively take the leadership of West Africa and Africa’s efforts to unite our nations and promote e-commerce,” he said.
He argued that for Africa to achieve meaningful integration, Nigeria must take the lead in fostering a democratic and economically unified region.
“That evolution cannot succeed without you, but you will be its greatest beneficiary. I am aware that, like all the rest of us, you have significant problems on your own, which require urgent attention. However, history cannot and does not wait,” local media reports on Friday quoted Akufo-Addo as saying.
The former Ghanaian leader also underscored the need for effective strategies to address contemporary challenges facing West Africa and Africa at large.
He reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment as a steadfast ally in the shared goal of advancing and repositioning the region for sustainable development.
GIK/APA