Kofi Osei-Kusi has cautioned against using recent xenophobic attacks in South Africa to undermine the vision of African unity and continental integration.
Speaking in an interview to mark the 63rd anniversary of African Union Day, the President of the Pan-African Leadership Institute said the attacks, though concerning, should not be used to weaken the long-standing Pan-African agenda championed by African leaders such as Kwame Nkrumah.
His comments come amid renewed xenophobic violence in South Africa targeting foreign nationals, including Ghanaians and other African migrants, which has prompted the Ghanaian government to begin evacuating affected citizens.
Dr Osei-Kusi argued that the tensions were largely driven by unemployment, poverty, and limited economic opportunities rather than hatred for Africans from other countries.
According to him, blaming African unity for isolated incidents of violence would be misguided and counterproductive to the continent’s long-term development goals.
“This is simply scapegoating. This is not a case for dismantling African unity or the African Union,” he stated.
He stressed that African unity remained critical for economic growth, political cooperation, and the continent’s global influence, especially as Africa pursued initiatives such as the African Continental Free Trade Area.
Dr Osei-Kusi noted that the annual AU Day celebration served as an important reminder of Africa’s shared history, collective aspirations, and the need to strengthen continental solidarity.
He recalled that Africa’s colonial partition created divisions across ethnic groups and communities and said the dream of unity promoted by the continent’s founding fathers remained relevant today.
The PALI President also expressed concern about what he described as “colonised mindsets” that continued to undermine Africa’s confidence and progress.
He urged African leaders and citizens to deepen cooperation, tolerance, and integration rather than allow division and intolerance to derail the Pan-African vision.
“The AU Day should remind us that Africa’s future depends on unity, confidence and collective progress,” he added.
