By Love Wilhelmina Abanonave
Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, has said African citizens judge sovereignty by practical outcomes such as electricity, jobs, education, and healthcare provided by government, not by political declarations or speeches made at conferences, summits, or events.
Speaking to delegates at the 4th Inter-Parliamentary Conference in Accra, Mr. Debrah said sovereignty must be expressed in a government’s ability to meet the needs of its people.
“Across Africa, our citizens do not judge sovereignty by the speeches we make. They judge it by whether the lights stay on, whether jobs are available, whether schools educate, whether hospitals heal, and whether governments keep their promises,” he said. “True sovereignty cannot exist only in constitutional texts or political declarations. It must be expressed in practical outcomes.”
The Chief of Staff defined a sovereign nation as one capable of delivering core public goods, educating its children, protecting its vulnerable, creating opportunities for its youth, and driving its own development.
He also said discussions about cultural sovereignty must run alongside discussions about economic sovereignty, arguing that economies must be strong enough to support the social systems governments seek to protect.
Warning that dependency weakens sovereignty, he said, “…dependency, in whatever form it appears, ultimately weakens sovereignty.”
Addressing ideological and cultural debates, Mr. Debrah said Africa welcomes dialogue and cooperation but will not compromise its right to set its own social and cultural norms.
“Africa does not fear engagement with the world. We welcome dialogue, exchange, and cooperation, but engagement must never come at the expense of our right to define our own social and cultural norms,” he said.
He noted that many Africans hold deeply rooted beliefs on marriage, family formation, parenthood, and community life. “Our responsibility is not to dictate how others live. It is to ensure that our own laws, educational systems, and public institutions remain reflective of the values and aspirations of our societies,” he said.
He added that those values are preserved through “strong families, responsible leadership, and institutions that reinforce social cohesion and national identity.”
