Statement by the All Africa Conference of Churches (AACC) on the Occasion of Africa Day (May 25, 2022)
Today May 25, 2022, the All African Conference of Churches (AACC) joins Africans across the globe to commemorate Africa Day.
Fifty- Nine (59) Years ago, Heads of State in the continent came together to commence a journey for a new Africa with the establishment of the Organization of African Unity (OAU). The OAU initiated the transformation of Africa, to engage the rest of the world as a group of independent, developing countries. Thirty-eight years later, the OAU, was dissolved and member countries formed the African Union (AU)
The dream of the new African Union (AU) is to be people-centered, more responsive to the needs of the African People, prioritize inclusive social and economic development, continental and regional integration, democratic governance, and peace and security among other issues aimed at repositioning Africa to becoming a dominant player in the global arena.
Despite the progress made over the years, many challenges continue to confront the continent and its people. Issues of Governance, Conflicts, Threats of Terrorism, Poverty, Food Security, Environmental Sustainability and Climate Change, Social infrastructure, access to basic health services, Irregular Migration of the active youth population who are embarking on dangerous adventures across the Mediterranean, and many others.
These challenges remain a threat to the existence of not only today’s generation but the generations yet unborn. The widespread conflicts, Political Instability, Terrorism, and corruption continue to affect national economies thereby limiting the capacity of states to improve the quality of life of their citizens.
We continue to experience the destruction and depletion of our natural resources by foreign nationals with the connivance of African Citizens. Our water bodies continue to dry up, our lands are becoming unusable for agricultural purposes because of negative practices being carried out by foreign nationals with the connivance of African citizens and inertia on the part of leadership. Increased poverty and hunger continue to stare us in the face.
The COVID 19 Pandemic and events of the recent Russia – Ukrainian War and the effect on many African economies have exposed our vulnerability as a people.
As a continental body that accounts for over 140 million Christians across the continent, the AACC will continue to support the African Union and all member states in the implementation of initiatives that address the basic needs of the African People.
As we move into the 60th Year of the existence of the continental body, we would like to remind member states of the pledge to re-dedicate Africa towards the attainment of the Pan African Vision of an Integrated, Prosperous, and Peaceful Africa driven by its own citizens representing a dynamic force in the Global Arena.
We call on African Governments to make the welfare of citizens the focus by aligning their developmental agenda with ongoing structural transformations; increased peace and reduction in the number of conflicts; renewed economic growth and social progress; gender equality and youth empowerment; changing global contexts such as increased globalization and the ICT revolution; the increased unity of Africa which makes it a global power to be reckoned with and capable of rallying support around its own common agenda; and emerging development and investment opportunities in areas such as agri-business, infrastructure development, health, and education as well as the value addition in African commodities/
Additionally, we call on African Governments to make the Youth a key pivot of the developmental agenda. AACC recognizes that the future of the continent lies in the potential of our young people as powerful agents of change and they need to be given the right tools and motivation to deliver an emerging Africa.
Africa is our home and Our future and our journey remain forward.