United States of Africa?

Question One: Which historic event takes place on 1st July? Ghana’s Republic Day?

Correct. Question Two: Which other historic event takes place on 1st July? Erm, errrr…

On July 1, heads of state from across the continent will descend on Accra for the African Union summit – a convention hosted by Ghana, chaired by Ghana’s President, John Agyekum Kufuor, and held in the Golden Jubilee of our Independence year.

Already, the stage has been set for a turning-point conference, with the AU Chairman declaring a one-item agenda, dedicated to debating and deciding the shape and direction which the five-year-old continental body should take. Simply put, it’s all about the fate of Africa. A most serious issue of our time. Do we want a continental organisation which continues to function along the lines of the European Union, which is 50 years old this year and now contains 27 countries? delegates will ask. Do we want a United States of Africa modelled on the United States of America template; a unified country with a federal government? Or should we be looking to something that draws on more African influences, they will consider; a structure that is neither European nor American in its outlook?

Half a century ago Ghana’s first President, Kwame Nkrumah, was also at the forefront of the move for African unity and was one of the founding members of the AU’s predecessor, the Organisation of African Unity. Now, President Kufuor, and Ghana, has the opportunity to steer the new African organisation again, this time along more constructive lines – there are many pitfalls to be avoided. It is an opportunity which must be grasped.

So far, however, there has been little solid talk about the summit. Hardly any solid suggestions on how Ghana should direct the proceedings. Less than three months before the conference is due to kick off, we at The Statesman believe it is high time we began to talk seriously about what Africa can achieve from it.