KEY POINTS

• Africa continues to uphold the resolve to defeat poverty with resilient economies, says Tinubu.
• Africa must come together and work as one, President says.
• Nigeria will support Ghana under President John Mahama, Tinubu promises.

Africa’s commitment to the emerging middle class was reaffirmed by President Bola Tinubu, describing the continent’s progress in democratic government.

Yesterday in Accra as the special guest, at the inauguration of President of the Republic of Ghana John Mahama, Tinubu said Africa needs no external validation to prove it can be democratic.

There is a celebration of African democracy

Tinubu praised Ghana’s democratic transition as a milestone in African governance, addressing the gathering. He asked critics to recognize how far nations such as Ghana and Nigeria have come in embracing democratic principles.

Ghana goes to poll and marks peaceful democratization, marking today, we celebrate African democracy.” He further added it’s now time for Africa’s critics to recognize our progress and stop demanding we prove ourselves.

‘We have nothing to prove to the world, we have only to prove to ourselves,’ Tinubu added. “We will lift our nations out of poverty and generate resilient economies at our pace.”

Unity and shared progress

Tinubu’s remarks went beyond governance to the spirit of African unity. Furthermore Ghana’s achievements he said were a beacon of hope for the continent as he invoked the legacy of Kwame Nkrumah and Nigeria’s founders.

“This Black star burns over Ghana and beyond Africa because it is reminding us of our common ancestry, and extolling our common possibilities.” We must confront poverty, youth unemployment and instability in tandem with our unity for which their heroes fought for, Tinubu said.

A call for regional collaboration

President Mahama’s vision and patriotism, Tinubu said, had impressed him and he had confidence in his administration’s capacity to lead Ghana to progress. Nigeria, he said, will support the strengthening of ties between the two countries and also subregional integration.

“Your ascension to power should break out a new momentum for subregional progress.” ‘This is our time to do with focus what we need to do to address our shared challenges and create opportunities for prosperity across West Africa,’ Tinubu said.

Finally, Tinubu ended with a vision of hope and opportunity for the continent and urged African leaders to stick with their mission of uplifting their people.