As the debate on what structure the proposed United States of Africa should take rages on, a Parliamentarian has raised the question of what type of development concept should accompany the unity proposal. Two development concepts he proposed are, the partnership and the participatory concepts types, which he says can be pursued in the agenda setting of the African Union programme.

Limiting himself to the definition of the Participatory concept, Minority spokesman on Finance and Economy Benjamin Kumbour asserted that for the partnership concept, the operational definition was clear to all.

He contended that, the participatory development being proposed is the involvement of the people of Africa in the agenda setting programme. The Lawra Nandom Member of Parliament questioned the basis for the sudden foreign interest in the Unity of Africa. "Why the sudden foreign interest in the current African Union proposal as if this is a new concept, from the economic point of view, what is fundamentally different in the NEPAD framework", he asked.

"What exactly do we want?" he enquired "Is it the African Alternative framework for Structural Adjustment Programme or the Lagos plan of Action."

The outspoken Minority ranking member wondered why the NEPAD development framework was getting global financial support particularly from the Group of Eight Industrialised countries when there appears to be no difference between it and the earlier development plans. "We have not seen anything substantially different from the previous development concept and content of the NEPAD document". According to Dr Kumbour, there is always a disconnect between the African imitation of the West, which has rather failed the continent.

"If indeed, Africa has to come together in a continental and economic bloc, we all have to go back to school to unlearn what we have learnt and to connect to the peculiar circumstances of Africa". According to him, the contextual clarity on the type of integration has to be made now before charting the path of unity.

The polarisation of Africa into the Monrovia and Cassablanca groups, which has now been interpreted as the fundamentalist and the gradualist group, if not discarded, will miss the opportunity for integration, he submitted.

To achieve integration for Africa, the MP suggested a well for a well functioning cohesive state. He wondered how a continent, which began as the cradle of civilisation, ended up as the dark continent with a high incidence of poverty and squalor.

The chairman of the forum, Nana Dr S K B Asante, Omanhene of Asokore, noted that a recent study suggested that the progression from the AU to the establishment of an African Union Government and the ultimate formation of the United States of Africa should involve the further elaboration on the necessity for an African Union Government based on shared values and common interests of African countries and peoples.

Nana Dr Asante pointed out that another objective on the AU and Union Government agenda was the proposed strategic areas of focus. "Examine the implication of an African Union Government at continental, regional and national levels, in terms of institutions, and programmes where applicable, taking into consideration the present situation."

He said the study also suggested a roadmap for the establishment of a Union Government, adding that "I recommend the authors of this study for their sober and realistic appreciation of the challenges we face in achieving the prescribed goals of the AU."

Describing his personal involvement in the historical development of the East African Community, and its challenges and eventual demise, the chairman of the Ghana Arbitration Centre observed that the paramount issue was the precise institutions to be established and the ultimate constitutional form of the continental entity.

"The benefits accruing from political and economic integration were fully appreciated. For example, impetus for accelerated development; larger markets attracting more investment flows, greater weight in international affairs and global deliberations; better intra-regional transportation; and resolving, minimising or eliminating inter-and intra- state conflicts."