For the past week, have spent the better part of the period reading through and around issues of African regional integration. It hasn't been an easy feat as I am a fan of both other regionalisms beyond that of Africa.
As this is one dedicated to Africa, permit me to stick solely on this and refer you to my Critiquing Regionalism website for other ones.
Germany seems to be particularly interested in the ECOWAS region, describing it thus:
Being the prime engine of regional integration on the African continent, ECOWAS is currently undergoing impressive transformations aimed at defining new priorities and objectives. The ECOWAS priorities and objectives may also serve as a source of inspiration for other regional groupings anywhere else in the world.
I could not help but wonder if Germans could be so enthused about ECOWAS, what are we Africans, and West Africans specifically doing about it? I appreciate the fact that many of us would prefer thinking about trekking overseas before anything else, and that some of us already have been and are thinking of staying to make our sub-region better. But at least, I cannot but wonder why,say, those in West Africa--where there are many intellectuals and intelligent youth are not making--or taking--the time to extol the virtues of a secure and safe West Africa.
Do we have to wait for Westerners to do it for us?
2 comments:
Good project Mr Bensah.
The growth statistics in Africa has continued to plummet over the past fifty years. Instead of progressing many African countries continue to remain poor while their Asian counter parts make gains. While African unity has many positive prospects it’s not going to be an easy process. I think integration through the regional groupings like ECOWAS, SADC, the EAC etc would be a more realistic route to take. For me countries like Somalia, Zimbabwe and Sudan are immediate examples which show that Africa’s unity problem must be tackled from within. Also the reality is that regionalization requires the erosion of national/sovereign powers in the interest of one central authority for Africa. Really, does anyone ever see this happening? I’m not sure what should be done but a more realistic and pragmatic approach devoid of utopian ideological terms and clichés will be the best way for Africa. Etse
I mentioned it before and I will say it again, the very leaders in the driving seat do not really have the people in mind. Its their tummies they primarily think about before any other issue
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