By Kofi Annan
African Leaders go begging at Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), starting from Wednesday to Friday, 4th – 6th September 2024 in Beijing, China.
Just imagine the resources of all countries in Africa put together, including our population of 1.4 billion people, and tell me why Africa should remain poor. Resources from Congo Democratic alone can take care of all the needs of Africa.
The land of Niger, Zambia, Chad, Sudan and South Sudan can feed Africa if we engage in innovative agriculture.
The gold of Ghana, South Africa, Mali, Burkina Faso, Sudan, Congo Democratic Republic, and others can supply any money needed by Africa for the next 100 years without borrowing from any external Imperialists.
The oil of Nigeria, Angola, Algeria and Libya can take care of the energy needs of Africa if utilised and structured well.
What! The intellectual and innovative brains of Africa can turn around the destiny of Africa in the next 20 years yet everyone is waiting for a white man to tell them what to do.
Dear Africans, if you don’t take your destiny into your own hands and build Africa, Africa and Africans will continue to beg.
Our leaders must think of the future not their pockets today. Remember, a beggar is always a slave to his lender.
Think about this when you sleep. No matter how China, America or Europe wants to help you, they will never allow you to rule over them…
So keep begging while you sit on resources that can turn your destiny from a Beggar to a Billionaire, and a Borrower to a Lender.
I am John Kofi Annan, I am a Pan-Africanist!