Left to right: Ms. Wureh, Esq. (Chair of the International Colloquium, Jacqueline Musiitwa, Esq., Minister King-Akerele, Liberian Foreign Affairs Minister)
Left to right: Jacqueline Musiitwa, Esq., Ambassador Amina Ali, African Union Ambassador to the United States
For the past month I have been negligent about updating the blog. Being super busy is not an excuse (even though it has been super busy). I have taken time out during the past month to learn and absorb a lot of what has been hapening around the world. I have continued to post Twitter updates of news that is relevant to Transitional Trade`s work. Sad to say, the situation in the Congo and Darfur remain the same, violence in Sri Lanka, Iraq and Pakistan has escalated. It is sometimes disheartening for me because as one conflict subsides, another arises. Not all is grim though. A few weeks ago I attended a dinner hosted by Ambassador Barnes fo Liberia at which several other Liberian politicians and business people were congregated to discuss the trade potentials in Liberia. I was especially inspired by the words of Minister of Foreign Affairs, Honorable King-Akerele who challenged everyone in the room to find the many opportunities in Liberia and take part in Liberia`s continuing success. The night after I was one of many who saw President Sirleaf-Johnson discuss her new book, This Child Will be Great. It was such a humbling experience to see such an accomplished woman discuss her trials abd tribulations and better yet learn how she overcame them. Then, two weeks ago, I moderated a panel at the Stanford African Business Forum, where many speakers gave updates on the postive developments taking place in Africa`s economy. The Honorable Amina Ali, African Union Ambassador to the United States spoke about Africa`s potential to grow into a greater trade force than it is. Indeed, Africa is ready for business. Lastly, this past weekend I moderated a panel at the Rwanda Convention which was held in Montreal, Canada where the Rwandan Minister of Commerce, Monique N`Sanzabaganwa spoke about all of the positive developments being made in Rwanda to improve the trading and investment environment.
Left to right: Jacqueline Musiitwa, Esq., Ambassador Amina Ali, African Union Ambassador to the United States
One of the most impressive elements of all of the above spokespersons for Africa is that they are all female. At the end of the day, an effective leader is an effective leader regardless of gender, but I think that the fact that at long last African women are taking such prominent roles in the public sector is an inspiration to us, the younger generation of aspiring leaders.
I honestly believe that African women represent a special set of possibilities for the future of Africa...even maybe to an extent greater than in other parts of the world.
ReplyDeletePart of it is that many of our African countries locked women out in the post-colonial rush for new access to old resources or access to completely new types of resources.
As an African man, I pray to see the day throughout the continent when the strong, vibrant and motherly sensibilities of the every day African woman is brought to bear on the national and international stage, in greater measure.
Keep up your good work.
Gogo
Founder
Innovate Africa Project Network
www.AfricanInnovationProject.com