Dr. Sekou Nkrumah has taken a swipe at the various political parties within the African continent for paying lip service towards the unification of Africa.

The son of Ghana’s first President said although Ghana’s two major parties support the unification agenda, their policies in government suggest otherwise.

Speaking to XYZ News, Dr Nkrumah said African leaders must do more if true continental unity is to be achieved.

“If you look at the main political parties, NPP and NDC, you would realize that when it comes to the Pan-African agenda, they pay lip service but do not seem to be fully committed about it”.

Africa's 54 leaders are celebrating the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Organisation of African Unity.

Opening the event, Ethiopian PM Hailemariam Desalegn spoke of "a great leap forward in the pan-African quest for freedom, independence and unity".

AU head Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma warned that conflicts could be silenced only by "solidarity and unity".

The OAU, which became the African Union (AU) in 2002, had its origins in the struggle for decolonisation.

It was founded in Addis Ababa in 1963, the venue chosen to mark the anniversary 50 years on.