Former African Development Bank (BAD) President, Dr. Donald Kaberuka has urged African youth to roll up sleeves and find solutions for their problems in Africa rather than running away.
Dr Kaberuka was speaking Friday at the Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF)-Inkotanyi Congress in Kigali.
He was in the panel with the Rwanda Mining and Petroleum Board Chief Executive Officer, Francis Gatare; the US based Lifting and Empowering All Families Pharmaceuticals CEO, Dr. Clet Niyikiza and the Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Community, Louise Mushikiwabo. Their discussions revolved around the topic ‘Shaping Rwanda for Global Challenges’.
Dr Kaberuka said the global circumstances, that prevailed at the time former Rwanda Patriotic Army (RPA) launched the liberation struggle, marked what was called Afro-pessimism. ‘The global order was: what can we do for Africa?’
“The RPF then has major role to play in changing the narrative. We did not want to be objects of pity,” he said.
He said one thing that has shaped Rwanda after the RPF assumed leadership is the determination to deliver on what is set out to do.
“Very few countries have managed to do that and I witnessed that during my time at African Development Bank Group as president,” he said adding that the RPF has demystified the biblical tale of David versus Goliath concept on the Worldview of Africa.
Kaberuka reminded the youth to find solutions for their own problems in Africa.
“To the youth here, I want to tell you that Africa should wake up to the reality that the solution to our problems is here on the continent. We should stop looking elsewhere,” he urged youth.
Mushikiwabo said that Rwandans must not waste their energy on roadside politics. She said Africa must put her efforts together.
Niyikiza noted that to be able to navigate the unpredictable global challenges, Africans must instill into their children the culture of thinking big, innovate and have strategies in place to protect the innovations.src:Igihe
The Express News
