Khalifa Ababacar Sall, Mayor of Dakar and current chairman of Africa’s United Cities and Local Governments (CGLUA), said on Wednesday in Brazzaville that Africa should make the populations participate in integration of the continent and empowerment.
'If Africa wants to develop, it should make the populations participate in integration and empowerment,' the Mayor of Dakar said at the opening of the meeting of mayors and authorities of local communities of Africa, which is currently being held in Brazzaville.
'As from this day, we commit ourselves to doing things in such a way that African local governance would be united and mainly speak in one voice, be effective and efficient. The future of Africa lies with local communities,' he said.
As the chairman of the opening ceremony of the four-day meeting, the Congolese head of state, Denis Sassou N'Guesso, did not hide his joy at hosting it.
He also thanked the former presidents of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo and Ghana, Jerry Rawlings, who made it to Brazzaville to receive their awards from CGLUA as honorary members.
'Your presence here is a testimony of your constant commitment in favour of the cause of unity and development of our continent. This is also the testimony of your faith that Africa’s unity is only possible if it is upheld by the peoples of Africa themselves,' President N'Guesso said.
Pana 20/02/2013