Dakar — If Africa fails to create a reality that complements the aspirations of its citizens, "the negative perceptions about Africa will catch up with wonderful intentions, once again," warned Mr. Carlos Lopes, Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa when he delivered the Cheick Anta Diop Lecture during the 14th General Assembly of the Council for Development of Social Science Research currently taking place in Dakar, Senegal.
Speaking on the theme, 'Africa's imperative to determine its own future' , Mr. Lopes questioned the thinking in postmodernism right up to postcolonialism that seems to trap Africans in the narrative that Africa cannot develop on its own.
Referencing the notion of Westphalian sovereignty in political science discourse, he underscored that it has taken too long for Africa to regain its sense of urgency and said that African States are more Westphalian than Pan African - focused more on defending the sovereignty principle than regional integration.
He also informed the over 500 delegates attending the assembly that Africa has a moral imperative to improve the lives of its people, particularly its much neglected youth and women. He encouraged leaders to be more visible to their people, noting: "taking ownership and responsibility while implementing Agenda 2063 in a dedicated and focused manner will enable Africa to shape and determine its own destiny".
Although Africans "have taken too long to regain a sense of urgency about constructing a common future", and negative news and perceptions about the continent continue, they should "not be discouraged from accomplishing that task," Mr. Lopes stressed.
Mohammed Dionne, Prime Minister of Senegal, acknowledged the role played by Mr. Lopes and thanked him for being one of the inspirations for his government's blueprint entitled: Plan for the Emergence of Senegal. "Mr. Lopes, has been brilliant in making the case for Africa's structural transformation through industrialization," said the Prime Minister.
Participants engaged the Executive Secretary on how the domestic private sector can be made more prominent in Africa's development compared to foreign private sector which seemed to be devoured by African governments as well the issue of corruption and how that relates to the development imperative.
The Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA) is headquartered in Dakar, Senegal. It was established in 1973 as an independent pan-African research organisation primarily focusing on social sciences research in Africa. The Economic Commission for Africa will later in the week, launch a joint Journal of Africa's Transformation with CODESRIA.
