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Nobel laureate Wangari Maathai once said that
"it is important to nurture any new ideas and initiatives,
which can make a difference for Africa". United Nations
Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon expressed the same wish in
his opening remarks at the Africa Day celebration, hosted
by the Permanent Mission of the African Union to the United
Nations, the African Group of Ambassadors, and the African
Ambassadors Spouses Group, in the General Assembly Hall at
UN Headquarters on 31 May 2007.
Mr. Ban said he welcomed that "institutions like the
Pan-African Parliament and the African Union Peace and Security
Council were demonstrating increased commitment to take effective
and concrete actions to address the immense challenges at
hand" in the African region. However, he "shared
Africa's pain and frustration at the persisting and widespread
suffering in the continent because of extreme poverty, together
with a lack of access to basic education, health care and
adequate nutrition".
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| UN photo/Eskinder
Debebe |
In a video message to the gathering, the President of the General
Assembly, Sheikha Haya Rashed Al Khalifa, said "Africans
have reason to celebrate the unity of their continent, forged
in an ancient and rich history— a history that gives us
all a profound sense of our common humanity". She added
that "if fully supported, Africa can develop its rich potential
and free its people from abject poverty, disease and political
instability".
The Permanent Representative of Ghana to the United Nations,
Leslie Christian, delivered a speech on behalf of his country's
President, John Agyekum Kufuor. He stressed that Africa's
nations needed to rededicate themselves to address the current
challenges. They needed to pursue further peace and security
in order to achieve sustainable development. Developing more
partnerships beyond those with the G-8 nations would help
build needed infrastructure, but only if Africa upholds agreements
made among its countries first as one continent, before reaching
out to the world, said Mr. Christian.
The highlight of the celebration was a fashion show introduced
by the wife of the Permanent Representative of Liberia to
the United Nations. Mrs. Dawn Cooper Barnes shared cultural
facts about African countries, as super models and young men,
women and children donned traditional dresses in a "parade
of nations" -- from the Kingdom of Morocco across the
heart of Africa to the Cape of Good Hope -- to the accompaniment
of popular African melodies.
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| UN
photo/Eskinder Debebe |
More contemporary designs were featured by fashion designers
Sue Muraya from Kenya and Gilles Toure from Côte d'Ivoire.
The designs ranged from bright and colourful dresses and business
attire to a grand finale - an haute couture bridal gown. The
audience was also treated to West African rhythms as the Mangue
Sylla Orchestra, along with performers Ishmael Kouyate and Tapani
Sissoko played to an enthusiastic audience.
The celebration of Africa Day 2007 was a demonstration of
the African spirit the General Assembly president referred
to in her remarks. Despite the challenges Africa faces, for
two hours the audience was taken on a journey through the
continent which embraced its diverse cultures and peoples
and demonstrated the potential that lies within the region.
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