African ambassadors in USA celebrate May 25 in grand style
More than fifty African Ambassadors including Sierra Leone’s His Excellency Bockari Kortu Stevens and other senior diplomats accredited to the United States of America converged at the prestigious “JW Marriott’s luxury hotel, near Washington DC -down town on Pennsylvania Avenue, to celebrate “Africa Day” ( 49th year of the founding of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) ).
The annual event which was witnessed by Deputy United Nations Secretary General Asha Rose Migiro, representatives of United States Foreign Office, local and international dignitaries, was formally opened by a special guest, Kenya’s Vice President His Excellency Kalonzo Stephen Musyoka who described May 25 as a Special day.
The fifty four African Countries have their different National flags mounted by their citizens(color Guards), strictly working close to their respective accredited ambassadors(Honor Guard), as they march- passed one hundred feet to the ballroom, before being ushered to a reserved table.
The Special guest, Kenya’s Vice President Kalonzo Stephen Musyoka described himself as a special African” because he is an east African wearing the traditional dress of a West African- amidst the largest number of African Ambassadors including that of the newest member (South-Sudan) and other senior diplomats from within and outside the African continent, that are accredited to the United States of America.
“It shows the oneness and agreement that Africa represents, and the frontier that Africa has become.” Said, Vice President Kalonzo Stephen Musyoka. Adding, Africa is destined to address the needs of the world. “Collectively, Africa produces about one third of the world’s Mineral Resources including oil, Diamonds, Gold, Iron ore, Cobalt, Copper, Natural gas etc.,”
According to him, Ghana, Nigeria, Egypt, Sudan, South Sudan, produces oil and Natural Gas. In Uganda, Sierra Leone and my own country Kenya, there are recent discovery of oil.
He therefore chided the continent to begin planning to prevent the transformation of God’s blessings into a curse.
According to Chief Guest, Deputy United Nations Secretary General Asha Rose Migiro “African economies have shown remarkable growth since the beginning of this millennium”. She said the era of stagnation is over, because recent economic growth in Africa has outpaced performance in much of the rest of the world.
“Even during the global financial crisis, Africa’s economies have still managed positive growth — 2 per cent in 2009, even as the world economy shrank by the same amount or more. “In 2010, African economies grew by more than 4 per cent.” Quoting the latest United Nations forecast, the deputy United Nations secretary General said the pace of African growth is at similar rate for this year, and she expressed optimism for it to rise again in 2013.”
On the tasting menu were a host of mouthwatering delicacies generally unavailable. The atmosphere was charming; with mix royalties that made guests feel at home, because the wait staff were very informative of the food selections and were eager to assist with answers to any question.
On arrival, Ambassadors were specially treated by the dean of the diplomatic corps Djibouti’s Ambassador His Excellency Robie Olhaye before descending to the lobby on the first floor.
Live performances by two groups of artists from Botswana and Republic of Guinea formed the highlight of the Program.
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