The University for Development Studies (UDS), is holding its 6th edition of the African Leadership Lectures today [Monday], with the Former President of the Republic of Cape Verde, Pedro Verona Rodriques Pires as the Guest Speaker.
The three-day event is being held at the Tamale City campus, Dungu, where H. E Pedro Verona Rodriques Pires is to make presentations on the vision of the struggle for liberation from colonialism, the construction of sovereign States and the African challenges.
Ahead of the main event, the former Cape Verde President, Pedro Verona Rodriques Pires, at a media encounter entreated African leaders to stop the rhetoric and be more committed to the African Union (AU).
This, according to him, could reduce the continent’s financial dependency on the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank.
“Nobody can refuse foreign aid to develop Africa, but there has to be more convergence to overcome western influence on the African continent.”
He further challenged the current generation of Africa to lead the continuous struggle for Africa’s liberation from colonialism.
“We have to train people to become good negotiators and we don’t have to comprise our sovereignty.”
He bemoaned the multiplicity of regional and national institutions such as Parliament which he identified as the cause of Africa’s underdevelopment.
“There is the need to reform and ratify efficiency and results of Africa’s regional integration. We have to rationalize and reduce the cost to get more results on economic and regional organizations.”
H. E Pedro Verona Rodriques Pires also subscribed to calls for age limit in the area of African Presidential elections.
He kicked against dictatorship on the African continent, saying, “We need strong States in Africa where institutions fulfill their obligations.”
He agreed that nepotism was gradually killing the framework of good governance in Africa.
Background
The University for Development Studies (UDS) in 2012 initiated the African Leadership Lectures to create the opportunity for past African Heads of States to speak on issues affecting the continent’s growth.
Since its inception, Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria, Festus Mogae of Botswana, Joaquim Alberto Chissano of Mozambique and Hifikepunye Lucas Pohamba of Namibia have honoured the invitations.
They dealt with topics such as the evolution of the strong visionary leadership of the front line states and their contributions to the liberation struggle in Southern Africa, Reflection on leadership, good governance and development in Africa, leadership and conflict resolution in Africa.
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By: Abdul Karim Naatogmah/citinewsroom.com/Ghana