US Vice President, Kamala Harris, has expressed her confidence in African nations, insisting they all have an important role to play when it comes to issues of global significance.
According to her, the U.S is convinced of a shared mission with African countries in ensuring the progress and development of both countries, as espoused by the U.S President Joe Biden. She revealed that the U.S and African countries “are all in” as said by Joe Biden because there are longstanding ties between their people, as both parties have an intertwined history, “some of which is painful and some of which is prideful and all of which we must acknowledge, teach and never forget”.
“African nations play such a critical role on issues of global importance, issues that matter to the American people and to the world – issues like food security, climate crisis, public health and resilient supply chains; we are all in because African leadership is critical to global peace and security, and African nations are essential partners at the United Nations and in support of international rules and norms. We are all in because the fate of the American people and of America and the continent of America are interconnected and interdependent.”
Kamala Harris
Delivering a public lecture at the Black Stars Square today, March 28, 2023, Kamala Harris stated that despite the longstanding history America has with the continent, it is particularly significant for her as the first black Vice President of the United States of America. She explained that hers is a history like many which she learned as a young child.
“This continent has a special meaning for me because my grandfather and other members of my family worked in Zambia in the 1960s alongside a newly independent people. I was fortunate to visit them in Zambia as a girl, the values that guided my relatives when they were there, and the legacy of their efforts, remain a source of pride for my family and continue to animate my work today.”
Kamala Harris
Strengthening collaboration between African nations and US
Explaining the “all in” phrase espoused by the American President, Kamala Harris stated that the United States is committed to strengthening the partnerships that exist across the continent of Africa. These partnerships, she noted, is with governments, the private sector, civil society and all persons on the continent.
“Partnerships based on openness, inclusiveness, candor, shared interests and mutual benefits. To be clear, America will be guided not by what we can do for our African partners, but what we can do with our African partners. Together, we will address the challenges we face and the incredible opportunities ahead.”
Kamala Harris
Furthermore, the US Vice President emphasized that women possess a huge capacity to equally participate in leadership roles. This, she noted, is key to maximizing global growth and opportunity.
“Women around the world must be able to fully participate in economic, political and social life, and they must be able to participate, equally including in leadership roles.”
Kamala Harris
Kamala Harris opined that gender disparity is one critical issue affecting the world and must receive adequate attention.
“On the continent of Africa we know, women grow a majority of the food yet they are less likely to own the land they farm, they represent a majority of the frontline healthcare workers but face disparities in health outcomes.”
Kamala Harris
Commenting on one particular area of opportunities Africans can take advantage of, Kamala Harris highlighted opportunities in the area of investment in innovation. Innovation, she reckoned, is the “pursuit of what can be, unburdened by what has been”.
She explained that innovation results in one’s ability not only to see but to do things differently whether in new methods, new products, new approaches and new ideas.
“We innovate to be more effective and to solve problems from the origin of new technology to the invention of social movements, innovations have come about by challenging the premise, questioning the status quo and bold thinking.”
Kamala Harris
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