Ghana inaugurates Committee for AU’s 50th Anniversary

Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration (MoFARI) on Tuesday inaugurated a 22-member planning committee to handle activities marking the 50th Anniversary celebration of the African Union.

The committee, comprising representatives from various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) as well as governmental and non-governmental organizations, would be responsible for generating ideas for activities as well as planning and implementing those activities throughout the anniversary year, 2013.

Madam Hannah Tetteh, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, in a speech read on her behalf by Ambassador Kojo Christian, Chief Director at the Ministry, said Dr. Dlamini Zuma, Chairperson of the AU Commission at the just ended Summit in Addis Ababa had outlined the concept of the anniversary under the theme, “Pan Africanism and African Renaissance”, stating that the OAU had not only contributed to the total liberation of Africa from the vestiges of colonialism and apartheid but also provided a unique framework for Africa’s collective action.

The theme therefore offers an opportunity to pay tribute to the generation of Pan-Africanists and founding fathers of the organization and to look forward with hope and optimism for the fulfillment of the continent’s aspiration for peace, democracy, development and unity.

The Assembly of Heads Of States And Governments, she said, had decided that all member states celebrate the anniversary in their respective countries, climaxed with events scheduled to take place in Addis Ababa on the AU Day on 25th May, 2013. They proposed some activities which member states could adopt or add to, including anniversary booklets, food fairs and documentaries, among others.

The committee has been divided into seven sub-committees, namely security, protocol, finance, logistics, publicity, drafting and Culture, which have been tasked with coming up with activities and drawing up tentative budgets for consideration at the committee’s next meeting in two weeks.

Ambassador Kojo Christian urged members to remain committed to ensuring a successful 50th Anniversary celebration.

Source: GNA