AFRICA: A CONTINENT OF POSSIBILITIES

AFRICA HERITAGE FOUNDATION
“Our Heritage is our Pride”®
Africa: A CONTINENT OF POSSIBILITIES
Keynote Address

NOV 13-17 2006

1st Pan African Cultural
Congress of the African Union
Addis Ababa-Ethiopia

Delivered by: Chief Tunde Adetunji
Africa Cultural Ambassador
Africa World Museum and Center
CEO/President
Atlanta, Georgia

Envision Africa and see a continent of enumerable possibilities. The continent of Africa and its resources have historically given birth to what is known as modern civilization. Without the contributions of Africa to the global populace, people all over the world, many in distant lands would suffer from a lack of resources. Africa’s oil production capabilities substantially contribute to the world’s oil reserves and are used for daily consumption. African resources fill a vacuum in the world’s economy.

There is an overarching skepticism towards Africa that has met little resistance. The foreign press has shielded Africa from the world with their simple affirmations that lack truth and objectivity. Many have managed to finesse contradictions about Africa and its people based on surmises that were predicated on misinformation, ignorance, and campaigns of divisiveness.

The noted filmmaker Firdoze Bulbilia is quoted as saying “our common objective is to ensure that a multiplicity of children’s voices are heard in the spirit of ubuntu meaning – “I am because you are.” Firdoze Bulbilia may have spoken those words to draw attention to the socioeconomic problems facing Africa’s children. Nevertheless, “I am because you are” applies to the continent of Africa as a whole and those who continue to bastardize the continent for their own personal and selfish gain. It is demonstrable and acknowledged that the world population benefits from what the motherland holds as her natural and agricultural resources. It is of great consequence that in 2006, Africa now sits under the world’s microscope and parties, who have historically shielded the beauty of Africa from the world, are now being challenged.

Africa has yet to demonstrate the breadth, scope and impact of her resources on the world economy. Unlike the world’s superpowers, the African economy has not been saturated by domestic and international investments, and trade opportunities. Africa is viable for development and growth. This isn’t news to those of us who serve as Ambassadors for Africa. This isn’t news to us who serve as Agents of Change for Africa. This isn’t news to us who have worked so relentlessly for decades to expose the world to the “true” riches and glory of Africa.

It is, however, news to those who have systematically turned a blinds eye to Africa and her socioeconomic and sociopolitical problems.

These are problems that were created by an insurgence of foreign domination that impact Africa’s ability to become self-supporting. Africa and her people are rich, but the transference of wealth that has taken place since earlier colonial domination has left Africa and its inhabitant woefully deficient in its ability to share in the international pool of global wealth and prosperity.

Africa is because you are. We, members of cultural and trade organizations and those genuinely concerned about the growth of Africa in all sectors, can no longer permit the foreign press and other to act as intercessors. If Africa is to be presented in all her glory to include her contributions to the world economy, her artistic and creative contributions, her footnote in history as the origin of mankind, there must be a collective voice amongst all African nations to report to the world what Africa has to offer. Collaboration that yields productive and measurable results is an absolute necessity if Africa is to survive. Every African nation that possesses the wherewithal to promote Africa must be fully cognizant of its role to disseminate African heritage, values, and themes. We have a responsibility to make Africa accessible to a global audience and to reorient ourselves towards true ambassadorship.

I have to ask today, at what point does “talk” convert to action? This is not a criticism of any worthwhile effort towards those working to show Africa in a panoramic view to the international community.

Indeed, those efforts are noted but for how long and at what expense do the African people suffer while we wait for slow social and economic growth to diversify into workable solutions that promote dynamic growth thereby saving an entire continent of people?

It is no secret that political ambition, greed, and poverty dominate Africa as in many other nations. The conditions and root causes for Africa’s problems are foreign intervention and internal manipulation. Do not mistake these observations for allegations against those who are genuinely committed to Africa and solving Africa’s problems. Those true champions of Africa are duly noted for their continuing and undying contributions to humanity.

When thinking of Africa s the “missing link” in the global economy, the word “link” is a misnomer for in its simplest terms, a link is a connecting element, a tie, or bond. To view Africa as a “link” poses a problem. In reality, Africa is the world’s source. How can the source be the “link” when those who partake of its resources derived its existence and holdings from the source? There is an answer to this paradox. The answer is that there is an untold story about Africa and the story that has been told vehemently lacks truth. It is a distortion of the facts. A scheme to ensure Africa loses its identity and a carefully crafted campaign to ensure the history of the African people is lost. Africa existed long before western civilization. Western civilization can’t define us.

Ambassadors for Africa cannot afford to let foreign governments, investors, and outside influences declare that as African nations we have so little compunction as to save ourselves. We are obligated to show the international community our world class citizenship and work to restore an open system of trade and finance.

Africa can’t be the neighborhood “spook house” in the international community that is avoided by those who have an interest in it for fear that when Africa opens its doors, those seeking entry will be met by incompetence, corruption, and ambivalence. The negative images of Africa and devastating criticisms circulating in the international community have effectively kept Africa at a distance while those who desire to rape the continent of its resources were unimpeded in their efforts and did so.

In 2006, many nations remain condescending towards Africa and consider us as inferior. Inferior we are not. Africa is a continent of possibilities, not a problem. Please commit that revelation to memory and when you leave here today, leave here knowing that Africa is the land for opportunities. This revelation and “new found interest” in Africa are not new at all. In reality, many have known of the possibilities. Africa as a continent has “more than enough” to supply its own needs and contribute to the global economy.

Suddenly in 2006, the world knows what we have known all along. Africa is rich. Rich in tradition. Africa is rich. Rich in natural resources. Africa is rich. Rich in agricultural resources. Africa is rich. Rich in heritage, culture and values. Africa is rich.

Aside from its riches, Africa has proven herself to be resilient. However, resilience alone does not save a continent. The fact is we live in a global economy and as with any economy the business of economics is the deciding factor between those who survive and those who perish. Africa’s children are at risk. There can be no meaningful dialogue without a discussion concerning Africa’s children. Africa’s women are at risk. There can be no meaningful hope for survival without a discussion about Africa’s women. Africa’s families are at risk. There can be no meaningful solution without a discussion concerning Africa’s families. Who will mind the storehouse, the point or origin and the future if the African people perish?

It is axiomatic that the world’s population benefit from what Africa holds in her well of resources while the African people suffer in exceedingly great numbers.

The dichotomy between Africa’s perceived inability to work effectively towards infrastructure rehabilitation and the view that Africa’s problems are her own must be exposed by the flaws in reasoning and the gaps in evidence perpetuated by many. What is happening in Africa today verges on the surreal but there is no dreamlike quality to the devastation and exploitation suffered by the African people.

Africa is at a pivotal point in history. At this critical time, Africa must be at the forefront of international competitiveness. To compete, Africa has to take immediate and necessary steps to implement economic reform African nations must recognize the joint stakes we have in ensuring the people of Africa survive. This assurance starts with you and me. WE must build institutions that focus on and draw upon the generosity, survival, and wisdom of African people.

In 1996, the city of Atlanta hosted the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games. An opportunity began and the Africa World Museum and Center “planned the work and worked the plan.” The Africa World Museum and Center opened its doors with the objective of merging African and African American heritage, values, history, and pride, thereby, causing both interdependent parties to coalesce around a common goal. This historic convergence defined Africa as a source of products unique, authentic, and original to Africa. Africa World Museum and Center has given back to Africa.
Our participation in world expositions and our promotional efforts to showcase African art, products, and services provide an international stage that flourishes ten years later. African products are not the bride and toast of many homes and procured by a discerning consumer with the expectation of the highest quality. The expectation has been exceeded.

Our range of consumers, concentrated in the metropolitan Atlanta area, represent clients on limited budgets to multi-millionaires who are able to procure investment and museum quality art and artifacts that demonstrate absolute creativity and ingenuity.

In meeting the demands of our educated consumer we work by one standard – If you want excellence you have to be excellent. This commitment to offering our very best lends itself to every endeavor we undertake. The Africa World Museum and Center is acknowledged for its efforts, not only showcasing the artistic expressions of people of color but also recognizing the significant achievements of African and African-American counterparts are uniquely our own.

The city of Atlanta, State of Georgia has taken giant strides in presenting Africa to the world. The international community has taken note and the Museum and Center is recognized as an institution of respect and credibility. Its vision along with the City of Atlanta has underscored a mark in history that uniquely identifies complete accessibility to the continent of Africa by way of Atlanta, Georgia.

How is this possible? Through modern technology and creative marketing efforts countries in Africa, local and state governments in the United States, small business owners, and investors and consumers from every walk of life have been able to participate and trade in e-commerce and traditional marketing methods. Efforts to establish the African World Village Project has met with approval by the Fulton County Government and designs are underway to create a landmark, a one stop conclave of useful resources for international consumers to tap into the multi-billion dollar products and services those African nations provide.
Our reality has been — Vision is Greater than Ambition. Ambition is the desire, vision is the outcome. Through the efforts of many noted achievers listed amongst “Who’s Who in Atlanta”, the vision of the Africa World and Museum Center is on target. To the legendary and visionary people of Atlanta, Georgia, the Honorable Mayor Shirley Franklin; Civil Rights Activist and Congressman John Lewis; the internationally recognized Ambassador Andrew Young; equally recognizable institutions and organizations such as the King Center for Non-Violent Social Change, 100 Black Men of America and others who believe that Africa is a force to be reckon with, we give our salute.

Any degrees of success we enjoy will have to be shared with you, for without your support, commitment, knowledge and expertise our vision would have been that much greater to achieve. We thank you for the interpersonal relationships established by each of you and the willingness to provide encouragement and recognize the interdependence necessary to stimulate self-direction for goal achievements. We don’t need anymore to be thankful for, but we need to be more thankful— very humble we are.

To Close: Your efforts have energized people of color from the four corners of the earth, this includes the indigenous people of Africa, the intimate people of Africa and distant people of Africa who serve as the nucleus of civilization.
How befitting that during the information age, when Africa has historically been hidden from the world’s view, the Museum and Center, your efforts and the efforts of other unsung heroes have been cast into the international spotlight to give birth to this significant period of change. It appears at times that some things are impossible. Collectively and independently we know nothing is insurmountable.
It is with great dignity and pride we share in the opportunity to present to the world the unique potential of Africa.

From the contributions of Liberia, Gambia and Nigeria in the West to the contributions of Kenya, Ethiopia and Rwanda in the East; from the contributions of the Republic of Congo, Gabon and Chad in Central Africa to the contributions of South Africa, Mozambique and Botswana in the South; from the contributions of Libya, Tunisia and Egypt in the North and to all African nations sitting betwixt and between we share with the world the natural and agricultural resources of Africa. It is time for a change in the status quo, because the status quo is not about change.

In Africa, the symbol of the double drum represents: “Cooperation, Agreement and Unity.” Let us embark on a path of cooperation, agreement and unity. Let us shine, let us just “be”.

“The importance of this is for the benefit of “Planting a Rich Future”, an “African Renaissance” for the survival and unity of “Our Children, and Our Families,” so that all will have “Vision” and “Commitment” to the continent of Africa.

Chief Tunde Adetunji
Africa Cultural Ambassador
CEO/ President, Africa World Museum Center
Africa Heritage Foundation, Inc.