Considering the enormous reports of looting and chains of corruption reported daily on the African continent, bolstered by the lack of development on the continent in the face of increase in commodity prices and large amounts of loan credits, it is difficult to argue against the assertion that, African leaders are largely responsible for our present challenges.

It is time for Africa to be the continent where dreams are born, nurtured and realised; a continent where the hopeless and destitute find their path. It is time to educate our youth, broaden their horizon and create opportunities for them. African can and should be the beacon of light for our youth in a world where many young persons have become restless and apprehensive of the present and the future.

There is no doubt that, many of the African youth are liberated in their minds, horizon, dreams and ambitions. Many of you are dreaming again and working hard to achieve your dreams. Their self-belief and confidence are overwhelming. Many of them have now understood and embraced the ‘I can do’ attitude.

Across the continent, they are educating themselves to the highest levels. In many cases, they are doing so through private education to acquire the skills to tap into the limited opportunities around. Others are also innovating to create their own opportunities.

For the first time in many decades, entrepreneurshiphas caught their attention and imagination. The African society is ripped with an energetic youth, who are ambitious, educated and provides the ready necessary workforce for developmental push.

Without question, their greatest unspeakable obstacle is the political elite and their bedfellows. What foundation and legacy is the political elite leaving for the youth? The political elite needs to answer this question or the youth should find an appropriate means to elicit a response.

The 21st Century could easily be the century for the African youth, if politicians would pursue the right policies and support programmes which would help them to acquire the needed character, knowledge and skills to tap into the enormous opportunities it offers. This calls for the African politicians to create an environment where basic skills, ambition and the right attitude on the part of the youth would be enough to earn them a job and make a decent living.

There is a nagging and painful perception that, politicians are the enemies of society. Thus, some leaders are the stumbling block between our nations and the promise of wealth and prosperous societies. This may not be entirely truthful in all cases, but the society believes it and it has gained currency.

Political leadership should be characterised by responsibility to their constituencies. When called upon to honour their obligations, they must not regard such calls as annoyance, rather it should be seen as an honour and a religious duty to do so. They should take pride and fulfilment in the fact that; they have provided safe drinking water, an efficient health care system, security for life and property, effective justice system and other institutions inherent in ensuring a habitable society. It is in this light, that the constituents who so elect leaders would find the political process a big partner in peace and development.

May the African youth gather the strength and courage to say to the politicians that, ‘we believed in ourselves once; ‘make us believe…again’. Make the youth believe in a dream of a better Africa and prosperous community of nations again. Make us believe that, our potentials are unlimited. And that, in Mother Africa, the youth would find security, harmony and strength to build a continent of opportunities and hope for all who dream and aspire to the liberating light of development and prosperity which would lift the society out of poverty and bring fulfilment and happiness to the continent.

Let’s believe again. Let’s believe in the dreams of Nkrumah, Father Nyerere, Steve Biko, Antha Diop, and Sadat. Let us believe in the voice of peace, prosperity, and love. For in these, we would defeat the vices, which are plaguing our beloved continent and set ourselves free towards prosperity and wealth, which shall not be overshadowed by inequality.

Excerpts from the book: THE AFRICAN YOUTH QUESTION, Issues, Actors & Solutions