African writers wish new African Union Commission Chairman well

Accra, Sept. 8, GNA - The Pan-African Writers' Association (PAWA) on Monday wished Alpha Omar Konare, Chairman of the Commission of African Union, well in his new role and expressed the hope that the former Malian President would bring his varied and time-tested skills to bear upon the developmental designs and imperatives of Africa.

This was contained in letter by Mr Atukwei Okai, Secretary-General of PAWA, to Mr Konare on the eve of his departure for Addis Ababa to take up his new job.

"PAWA is confident that given His Excellency's heritage of long Pan-African activities in Mali and Africa, in particular, and on the world scene in general, His Excellency will definitely build upon the foundations laid by His Excellency's predecessor, while striving to raise the status, significance and effectiveness of the African Union to new heights and towards the realisation of the healing project of the founding fathers, namely: the establishment of a United States of Africa."

The letter said PAWA recognises with appreciation, Mr Konare's "brilliant tenure of office as a most progressive and dynamic President of the heroic peoples of Mali".

It said PAWA also recognises Mr Konare's credentials as a sincere and committed Pan-Africanist, whose faith in the African's capacity for self-discovery, self-confidence and self-development is solidly rooted. "The lessons of history and the imperatives of the contemporary - albeit temporary-African condition place on the shoulders of His Excellency the urgent duty of mobilising all available human and material resources to support more seriously, than ever before, a strategy of engagement of the African consciousness that will empower the African creative genius to positively impact on our peoples' awareness's, psyche and destiny."

The letter said "the powerful role that literature can play in the life of our beleaguered people and in the democratisation of access to enlightenment for the African people cannot be gainsaid, especially in these times.

"Writers of Africa and, indeed, the people of Africa, have so much of their dreams, aspirations and hopes riding on your acknowledged resourcefulness of mind as a concerned African intellectual and steadfastness of heart as a patriot."

It pledged PAWA's support for Mr Konare "so that together we may provide Africans with the firm basis on which to uplift their spirits and their sights onto a horizon of acts and deeds that will ensure the achievement of a great future for Africa".