Today, May 25th, Africans across the world celebrate Africa Day. A day that marks the moment when 32 countries formed what is now the African Union (AU) with its 55 member States. it is a day where we celebrate both our commonality and our diversity; what brings us together and what makes us different.
The first Congress of Independent African States was held in Accra, Ghana on 15th April 1958. It was covered by the Prime Minister of Ghana, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, and comprised representatives from Egypt, Ethiopia, Liberia, Libya, Morocco, Sudan, Tunisia, Cameroon, and the host country Ghana.
The conference called for the founding of an African Freedom Day, a day to mark each year the onward progress of the liberation movement and to symbolize the determination of the people of Africa to free themselves from foreign domination and exploitation. Five years later, on 25th May 1963, the organization of African Unity was founded. Themes are set for each year’s Africa Day celebration. The theme for last year was “The year of Arts Culture and Heritage, for Africa’s Development and Intensifying the Fight Against the Covid-19 pandemic” while this year’s theme will be “A Good Opportunity for Continued Advocacy to Ensure Gains Made Over the Years in Eliminating Nutrition”. This is to secure greater political commitment and investment in nutrition. Increased domestication and implementation of all African Union (AU) and national legislative and financing instruments aimed at addressing food security and nutrition challenges.
