Leading African industrialist and philanthropist Mr. Manu Chandaria has emphasized the fact that Africa’s development will only be achieved if Africans commit themselves to making it happen.
“The destiny of Africa lies not in the developed countries, but within we as Africans. We cannot blame other people for our failed development. Unless we understand ourselves and make the deliberate decision to make it happen, then it will be naught. There is no development that will happen until we can realize that no one will work for us. Yes, other developed countries can hold our hands and give us a ‘push’, but eventually, it is up to us to take the food into our mouth and chew it. We have to take responsibility for our own development –which does not come just by talking, but which must be accompanied by commitment and action,” he said. .
Mr. Chandaria further alluded to the fact that Africa’s development should be a collective effort of every individual African, and not the sole responsibility of politicians, industrialists or other leaders.
“We as Africans have so much to give to ourselves. The dependency syndrome must end. Africa is a continent that has a wealth of resources, and we are the ones who will propel our continent to achieve the development status that we so desire. We have the capability to move forward and if there’s no commitment from us, then it will not happen,” he said.
Mr. Chandaria, who is chairman of the Comcraft Group was speaking at a TICAD VI side-event, organized by the Civic Commission for Africa (CCfA), in a session titled: ‘Fostering Africa’s Ownership –Leave no one Behind in TICAD VI’. The Comcraft Group produces steel, plastics and aluminum products with a strong presence in 18 African countries. Mr. Chandaria also chairs the Chandaria Foundation, whose programs focus on childhood education, poverty reduction, and children’s health. The Foundation supports the ideals of local philanthropy.
CCfA works with partners in the civil society to influence the TICAD agenda. IPPF Africa Region –which coordinates the largest network of CSOs advocating for Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) in Africa, is a key collaborating partner with CCfA.
At the same event, the IPPF Africa Region Director Mr. Lucien Kouakou reiterated Mr. Chandaria’s sentiments, saying that it was time for Africans to cede its over-reliance on external donors.
“We have to think of how we can count on ourselves; how we can build ‘A Resilient Generation of Africans’, and how we can be counted on as equal partners when dealing with issues of training, trade, industrialization, health and other sectors. Admittedly, while we cannot turn our back on our external partners, we first have to be realistic and evaluate our own internal resources, and seek change from within. We have a lot to give as Africans, and it is time for us to take charge of our own development. One of the ways to achieving this is by injecting our own resources into the development of our own countries and continent,” he said.
IPPF Africa Region is currently leading a peer-peer fundraising campaign called the ‘African Citizens Initiative’ for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights , which seeks to empower fellow Africans to contribute towards improved access to sexual reproductive health information and services by the African population. The Initiative seeks to raise funds to support of IPPFAR’s programs, which include delivery of quality reproductive health services to sub-Saharan Africa’s most vulnerable, poor and marginalized populations.

yes oooo

we cannot kip hoping for dem western bastards to help us
its time we take our own destiny into our hands