MPs bemoan war situations in Africa
Accra (Greater Accra) 29 May 2000
Members of Parliament on Thursday bemoaned the seemingly unending conflicts and wars in Africa and called for a concerted effort to create an enabling environment for the continent to develop in peace and unity.
This followed a statement in the House by Mr. David Yaw Mensah, NDC-Atebubu North, on war situations in Africa.
The MPs urged African leaders to have the political will to actualise the ideals of the continent's founding fathers, the thrust of which was peace, unity and progress.
In the statement entitled "Africa is tired of wars" to commemorate "Africa Day", Mr. Mensah noted that the founding fathers staked everything, including their lives, to achieve independence for Africa.
"They could not have imagined that wars would threaten the peace and unity of the continent in so short a time.
"Their vision for Africa was one of sovereign independent nations that would fashion their own destiny but civil strife has racked most parts of the continent," he said.
Mr. Mensah said efforts by international and regional organisations to stem the tide of wars and conflicts had not been successful, adding that wars and guerrilla activities continue to fester in many parts of Africa.
He mentioned Sierra Leone, Rwanda, Burundi, Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, and the Sudan as cases in point.
Mr. Mensah noted that what Africa needs are investment in human capital and infrastructure, building the economic institutions necessary for a well-functioning market economy and initiatives to increase technical capacities, saying: "these cannot co-exist with wars. To achieve these noble objectives, mistrust between government and opposition must be removed."
The MP lamented that "wars on the continent have made several millions of our people refugees or displaced on their own continent", adding that "helpless children have their hands dismembered and parts of their legs chopped off.
"Mr. Speaker, what we see on screens speak stories of anguish. Those who want political power should not first kill and destroy. Some parts of the continent have been turned into 'massacre sites'. There is so much insecurity on the continent; we fight and kill one another", he said.
Mr. Mensah said, after using large sums of money to buy arms, African countries then turn round to ask for emergency supplies such as tents, blankets, drugs, food and water.
He expressed the hope that efforts, from the OAU regional groupings, would produce a united front so that Africans could draw up their own priorities for realistic and tangible results.
He commended the leaders of ECOWAS for their efforts in trying to manage conflicts to ensure that peace prevails in the West Africa sub-region.
"Mr. Speaker, the wars must end so that Africa develops in peace and unity. The world is changing and Africa must develop faster. Our leaders must resign themselves to finding solutions to the continent's problems," Mr. Mensah said.
Commenting on the statement, Alhaji Kwadwo Maama Adam, NDC-Techiman South, said to ensure peace in Africa, the leaders must be selfless and encourage dialogue instead of resorting to wars to settle their differences.
Alhaji Adam, who is also the Deputy Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, said no country has ever won a war, when measured against the resultant human tragedy and economic losses.
He, therefore, urged African leaders to make a conscious effort to help end war situations on the continent.
"They must help improve the economies of African states instead of engaging in costly and senseless wars".
Dr. Kwabena Adjei, Leader of the House, said it is not African leaders alone who are to blame for conflicts on the continent but individual nationals, who in their quest for power, resort to violent means, including wars.
"It is the devils among human beings who are responsible for the seemingly endless wars in Africa."
The Leader of the House noted the relative peace in Ghana and warned that this should not be taken for granted since there are "doomsday" advocates crying war and wishing to see in this country situations such as exist in Sierra Leone and other conflict areas in Africa.
"There is a thin line between peace and war in the country," he warned. Dr. Adjei appealed to leaders of political parties and their supporters, civil societies and
the media to work towards sustaining the prevailing peace and stability, as well as nurturing the country's young democracy.
Mr. Kojo Armah, CPP-Evalue/Gwira, urged African leaders not to arrogate to themselves the power to remain in office even when it is apparent that there is need for a change, warning that such a posture is a potential cause of conflict.
He bemoaned the level of corruption among African governments and the plundering of the national wealth by the leaders, which, he said, had impoverished many African states.
Mr. Kosi Kedem, NDC-Hohoe South, noted that on the occasion of "Africa Day", the continent has little to show to the international community except wars, poverty, hunger, illiteracy and disease.
He said for the continent to extricate herself from these problems, the leaders should work to achieve the ideals of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana's first President, who had envisioned a strong united Africa with a strong high command and a strong economy.
Mr. George Buadi, NDC-Amenfi East, urged the member states of the OAU to reflect on the occasion of "Africa Day" and identify and find solutions to the conflicts bedevilling the continent.
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