As I stand at the twilight of my 85th year, I find myself reflecting on a cause that once stirred the very marrow of our youth—pan—Africanism. For two decades in my younger years, I stood shoulder to shoulder with fellow Africans—idealists, scholars, politicians, workers, students—bound by one great dream: the political, economic, social, and cultural liberation and unity of the African continent.
It was more than a movement. It was a mission. We believed in a self-reliant Africa, in an Africa that draws strength from its diversity, wisdom from its ancestors, and courage from its children. We organised. We agitated. We educated. We believed that Africa could rise, not as a patchwork of weak and dependent states, but as a powerful, united force—confident in its identity, proud of its heritage, and determined to shape its own destiny.
But history is not a straight line, some dreams take detours, some revolutions pause. Yet here we are again. Africa has been given another chance. Listen to Professor P. L.O. Lumumba of Kenya; listen to Captain Ibrahim Traore from Burkina Faso, although in military uniform, someone even said that his speech was AI-generated. Whatever it is, he was speaking the mind of concerned Africans.
A wave of youthful energy is sweeping across the continent; technology has made our voices louder; entrepreneurs are innovating in every corner of Africa—from fintech in Lagos to agritech in Kigali.
Our culture—music, film, fashion—is influencing the world, even amid political instability, we see people demanding accountability, peace, and justice. This is a new moment, we must not squander it.
My Call to Africa’s Political Leaders:
You have inherited both the burdens and blessings of history, you were elected not to serve yourselves, but to serve posterity; now is the time to go beyond rhetoric, now is the time to lead with vision, courage, and unity.
We must move from dependency to self-determination, from disunity to cooperation, from short-term thinking to long-term strategy; Invest in education, defend democracy, champion trade among African nations. Reignite the African Union not just as a bureaucracy, but as a living force of integration and collective progress. Let us remember: Kwame Nkrumah’s dream is not dead. It is only sleeping—and waiting to be awakened.
My Appeal to the African People:
Do not wait for perfect leaders, be the change; teach your children pride in being African.
Support African businesses, protect African heritage; speak African languages with dignity. Let us raise our heads high and stop looking to others to solve what we can solve together.
Africa is not poor, Africa is plundered. The only way to stop the plundering is through consciousness, solidarity, and action. We are not too many tribes—we are one people with many languages. We are not too late—we are just on time, if we act now.
A Final Word
I may not have the strength of youth anymore, but I have the clarity of age; and I declare without hesitation: Pan-Africanism is not a dream of the past. It is the necessity of the future; let us rise, together, as one Africa—proud, sovereign, united, and free.
This is our moment. Let us seize it.
