(Thursday, 5th August 2010 issue)
President Obama on Tuesday met about 150 young African leaders at the White House Town Hall.
President Obama on Tuesday met about 150 young African leaders at the White House Town Hall.
Speaking at the Town Hall meeting, President Obama said he wants young African leaders who cannot only make change in their country, but in Africa as a whole.
Obama reminded the young Africans why they were at the forum, urging them to be responsible, and take charge of their concerns, so as to come up with concrete solutions.
"In places like Ghana, young people make up over half of the population," he said. And here is what you must know: The world will be what you make of it. You have the power to hold your leaders accountable, and to build institutions that serve the people. You can serve in your communities, and harness your energy and education to create new wealth and build new connections to the world. You can conquer disease, and end conflicts, and make change from the bottom up. You can do that. Yes, you can - (applause) - because in this moment, history is on the move,” he added.
President Obama was also at the receiving end of questions posed to him by the young African leaders.
Some of the questions ranged from education, human rights movement, war in Africa, and the partnership the USA and Africa could gain from being a great and weak power, respectively.
President Obama encouraged the young African leaders to take charge of their destiny, noting that the destiny of Africa can only be determined by Africans, and that all they can do is help them achieve that.
"But these things can only be done if all of you take responsibility for your future," he said, adding that "you are the change that you seek."
