Empowering African women through business
That was one of the ideas discussed at the recent African union meeting. further details here
http://www.euronews.net/en/article/02/02/2009/gaddafi-elected-to-head-african-union/
What are the pros and cons of such a move?
Will it make for a stronger Africa for instance?
Who would be in charge of a nation?
How would they get around the different languages and cultures?
Please share your views
About ethnicsuppliesFounder of Ethnic Supplies a social enterprise working to alleviate poverty amongst East African women involved in textile and handicraft production. Managing Editor of Africa on the blog
[...] The Union of Africa is something that is dear to their President and a subject for discussion on this blog [...]
[...] of the African leaders that is keen on the idea of an African Union with clout is Gaddafi and the Libyan Students Union here in the UK is leading the Agenda of Diaspora involvement in the [...]
I think there would be major challeneges with such move. Personally, when I recall all the other attempts of so called “African Unity” there have been shambolic OAU, AU and now the AUA. One of the major challenges with Africa is that SOME leaders are addicated to power. So sharing that power or being undermined in position would not great a “Unity” of any sorts. I am not syaing the idea is impossible, but there has to be a drastic change in mentality using a ‘Top Down’ approach. Africa in terms of natural resources is one of the wealthiest in the world, yet the majority of the companies that mine those resources are not African and the wealth that is produced is not shared adequately with the African people.
US, Europe can all have Pro Patriotic Policies to ensure their countries citizens are taken care of first, why can’t some African Leaders want the same.
I do not think there are any negatives as such from such a Union rather many positives, but it has to be executed in the correct manner otherwise it is all just talk once again. As I said above there has been the OAU and the AU, what would be so different with a USA.
Thank you for sharing your views Tichaona and you do raise some interesting points. I agree with you that the idea per se is not ludicurous, however there are huge challenges in it’s implemantation.
One of the issues that you raise is one of “look after your own” Western countries are very good at doing this to the point that even Aid menat to help African countries eventually returns to the West.
The Resources issue is something else that doesn’t make much sense to me. Whay do African governments permit their resource to live the continent especially in a raw format? Wouldn’t it be better to ADD VALUE to say diamonds/gold by turning them into necklaces etc, of Coffee beans into usable coffe powder then export it a usable product, and that way bring in more revenue for the country?
I do wonder also how much trade happens between African countries.
All this hinges on trust of course and so would a United States of Africa
More about United states of africa the economic development argument that does not rely on external consumers certainly makes sense
http://www.mediacentre.go.ug/details.php?catId=6&item=372