MP for Akatsi South Calls on Africa Legislatures to Enact Laws to Reaffirm Family and Culture Values
The Member of Parliament for Akatsi South, Hon Benard Ahiafor, has called on Africa Legislatures to remained steadfast with their oaths and enact laws and ratify treaties that would affirm the Continent family and culture values to serve the overall interest of the citizens.
According to him, most of the treaties that the continent legislatures approved and ratified in their various states, failed to promote the Africa culture and believes, hence time to gear towards enacting legislating laws which would preserve and serve the interest of the citizens in whom the laws are made for.
Hon Ahiafor made the call at the second African Inter-Parliamentary conference in Kampala, Uganda, on Saturday, May 4, 2024.
The three-day Inter-Parliamentary Conference hosted by the Uganda Parliamentary Forum was focused on family, values, and sovereignty.
Addressing colleague legislators at the conference which was on the theme: ‘’Re-Affirming and Affirming our Family and Cultural Values’’ with Specific reference to Samoa Agreement between African Caribbean & Pacific States and European Union, the MP urged of all African States to be bold and reject the Ratification of any international treaty and agreement which do not serve the interest of the continent.
The Ghanaian lawmaker highlighted the impact of African weaknesses at the expense of colonization, stressing the need for self-reflection and unity among Africans legislatures to re-affirm the family and culture values.
He pointed out that Africa’s vulnerabilities have allowed the Westerns culture values to dilute and devalue the continent, making it imperative for Africans to address internal issues such as hunger and conflict.
“The Samoa agreed he reiterated cover six key priority areas human rights, democratic and governance, peace and security, human and social development, inclusive sustainable economic growth and development, environmental sustainability, and climate change, and immigration and mobility issues. We at least succeeded in sustaining the crucial role of the legislature is to hold the government accountable and ensure we scrutinize and ratify all treaties and agreements to ensure they conform to our family and culture values. With Specific reference to Samoa Agreement between African Caribbean & Pacific States and European Union. I urged all African States to be bold and reject the Ratification of the agreement in exercise of the oversight responsibility,“ Hon Ahiafor said.
In his opening remarks, Ugandan’s President Yoweri Museveni reiterated the importance of rejecting politics based on tribe, race, religion, or gender identities, advocating instead for a focus on common interests and patriotism.
He emphasised the role of economic prosperity in transcending tribal boundaries, citing Uganda’s experience in prioritising market access over identity politics.
“And the problem has been the pseudo-ideology of politics of identity based on tribes, race, religion, and gender (man or woman). All that is part of misdiagnosis because if you say you are a leader, you need to be like a medical doctor who looks at a patient, correctly diagnoses the disease, and prescribes the correct medicine for you to heal. Part of the problem you have been hearing in Africa has been the pseudo diagnosis by first of all our chiefs before Europeans came and after,” President Museveni said.
He added that Uganda was among the victims of pseudo-ideologies until 1965 when their student movement decided to fight those who fronted politics of identity, which had kept the continent backward.
He further gave an example of his tribe, the Banyankore, who are cattle keepers and farmers in the modern economy, producing beef, milk and bananas, stating they wouldn’t have been prosperous if they fronted their identity.
While charging the legislature to work for the interest of the continent, President Museveni noted that prosperity comes from producing a good or a service and selling it.
Because of that, my neighbour does not buy from me because he has beef, milk, and bananas, which I also have, which he also has. So, if you say identity, how do we solve our problem? And what use are they to me? People in Kampala are the ones who buy my milk, beef, and bananas. They are the ones who support my tribe in prosperity. So how can I accept the fake politics of identity and forget that my prosperity is actually coming from the people of Uganda who are not of my tribe?
“That’s why, therefore, as a student movement, we rejected the politics of identity, despised it, and knew it is used by opportunists who have no value with nothing to add to society. And therefore, we pushed the politics of interest. If somebody is supporting your interest, is he not a friend? That is why the first principle of our movement is patriotism – love Uganda because you need it for your prosperity,” H.E Museveni emphasised.
President Museveni also highlighted the historical resilience of Africans in the face of external pressures, citing examples of resistance against colonialism and external support from allies such as Russia and China. He urged African leaders to prioritise solidarity and cooperation in defending African sovereignty and values.
“The next historical mission is strategic security. How can Africa be secure, including addressing the cultural and military assaults? You saw what happened to Libya, an African country attacked by external forces,” the President noted.
“The African Union said no, leave us alone, we shall handle Gaddafi. They ignored us and attacked Libya. Therefore, our movement has long been advocating for Ugandans to understand that prosperity comes from loving Uganda, East Africa, and Africa. Additionally, strategic security will stem from Africa working together,” he stressed.
The chair of the forum, Hon. Sarah Opendi, said the conference aimed to address challenges such as cultural colonisation and the influence of external forces on African culture and sovereignty.
According to her, this year’s conference theme: “Reaffirming our family and cultural values”, would help to redirect the minds of the legislature to look beyond the law and consider culture values when enacting laws.
Rt. Hon. Fabakary Tombong Jatta, the Speaker of the National Assembly of the Gambia, expressed gratitude to President Museveni for providing a platform for dialogue despite his busy schedule.
The Gambian speaker commended the second African Inter-Parliamentary Conference, emphasizing its focus on reaffirming African family and cultural values, noting that Uganda’s hosting of this conference underscores its pivotal role as a beacon of African values.
“Your Excellency, we are here once again at the second African Inter-parliamentary conference, this time reaffirming our African family and cultural values. The first was done in Uganda and the second still here. This indicates that Uganda now serves as a face of Africa on the issue of family and African values. Let me thank you for your Pan-Africanist attributes. You have inspired many young African leaders with your consistency, commitment, and determination to defend our African sovereignty, our cultures, and values,” he added.
He also took a moment to commend President Museveni for his unwavering commitment to Pan-Africanism, which has inspired countless young leaders across the continent, stressing the importance of African leaders embracing, upholding these values and urging solidarity as the pathway to Africa’s progress and enlightenment.
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