African-American pan-Africanist, Yusef E. Bilal, has issued an impassioned plea to African youth, especially those in Ghana, urging them to embrace patriotism and resist the temptation to emigrate to Western countries.

Bilal, who is also a musician, emphasized that Africa's wealth of natural resources, such as gold, bauxite, diamond, and timber, offer a unique potential for self-sufficiency that is unmatched by any other continent.

He asserted that the African continent can survive without external assistance due to its rich resources.

He emphasized the need for unity and togetherness to foster the continent's development.

“If we raise up a generation of children to understand that Africa is really the greatest place to be in terms of what it has to offer...

“This is the only continent that can survive without the assistance of the other continents. No continent on earth, among the seven, has the rich mineral resources that we have on this continent.

“So, if we raise a generation of children with that mindset, that this is the best place to be, why would they want to leave?

“America has only one voice, one currency, one military, and it is a powerful place. I envision that if we do this on this continent, then we can acquire the same level of wealth and other things to restore Africa back to its greatness,” he said.

In an interview on June 1, 2024, Bilal voiced his concerns about the growing trend of young Africans risking their lives to leave the continent via dangerous and illegal routes.

He underscored the tragic outcomes many face, including perishing in the Saharan desert or drowning in the Mediterranean Sea while attempting to reach Europe.

"I was watching a CNN report where a journalist showed young Africans dying in the Saharan deserts, trying to get to North Africa," Bilal recounted.

"Some made it to North Africa and were trying to cross the Mediterranean Sea to reach Europe for a better quality of life. The misery I saw deeply touched me."

Despite being born in America, Bilal feels a strong connection to his African heritage.

"As a descendant of Africa, a slave, I have the connection even though I was not born on the continent; my DNA is African DNA," he stated.

Inspired by Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, the first president of Ghana, he added, "Dr. Nkrumah said he is not an African because he was born in Africa; but he is an African because Africa was born in him, and I can relate to that."

With a vision he calls "1 Africa," Bilal aims to encourage independence and development within the continent through the spirit of patriotism.

He believes that fostering a sense of national pride among the youth is crucial to halting the mass exodus and unlocking Africa's potential.

"Our children are our greatest resources. We need to instil patriotism in our young people to prevent them from wanting to leave the country.

“Patriotism is a must across all continents," he concluded.



Meanwhile, catch up on the latest edition of The Lowdown on GhanaWeb TV as Etsey Atisu sat down with the MP for Mpraeso, Davis Ansah Opoku, to discuss issues surrounding the E-Levy, the Saglemi Housing Controversy, and the OSP Impeachment:





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