Veteran journalist Kwesi Pratt has stated that African governments should ensure that responses to xenophobia strengthen rather than weaken continental cooperation.
Pratt described African unity as essential to addressing the continent’s long-term challenges.
“African unity is an imperative. Without African unity, we are not going anywhere,” he said.
According to him, governments should keep that objective in mind whenever incidents of xenophobia occur.
“So whatever happens in our country, our leaders have to focus on that objective.”
Pratt argued that responding to xenophobic incidents in ways that deepen divisions between African countries undermines broader continental interests.
“When there are instances of xenophobic attacks… and the reaction is to deepen the crisis, to fight, is to subvert African unity, we are stabbing ourselves in the chest,” he said on Metro TV’s Good Morning Ghana.
He added that stronger African cooperation remains necessary if the continent is to reduce economic dependence and improve control over its own development.
Pratt said leaders should pursue policies that encourage collaboration even during periods of diplomatic disagreement.
