Accra: The African Media Globe (AMG) has urged African leaders and the African Union to take decisive measures in dismantling economic and governance systems that perpetuate dependency, corruption, and inequitable access to opportunities.
According to Ghana News Agency, the organisation emphasised that poverty eradication will remain an illusion unless Africa addresses the root causes, which include poor leadership, exploitation of resources, and weak institutions, as well as issues like youth unemployment and gender inequality. This call was made in a statement issued by AMG, signed by its Secretary, Charles Sylvanus Boye, and shared with the Ghana News Agency to mark the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.
The statement highlighted that 'Africa's poverty is not natural; it is man-made and sustained by systems that deny citizens the benefits of their own wealth.' African Media Globe President Shirley Asiedu-Addo emphasised the need for the AU to lead a continental conversation on justice, equity, and resource management to ensure Africa's wealth benefits its people rather than external interests.
The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, observed on October 17 each year, serves as a reminder that poverty in Africa is not just a matter of scarcity but a result of entrenched structural and systemic injustices. This year's observance underscores that ending poverty is about dignity, justice, and belonging-not merely income.
The theme for this year focuses on ending social and institutional maltreatment by ensuring respect and effective support for families, with a clear goal to prioritize those furthest behind and build institutions that help families stay together, thrive, and shape their own futures.
The media network called on African leaders to harness the continent's vast natural, human, and creative resources to create jobs, empower youth and women, and strengthen local industries. By investing in education, innovation, and social protection, governments can build resilient economies that leave no citizens behind.
As an alliance of media professionals from across the continent, African Media Globe reaffirmed the crucial role of the media in raising awareness, holding leaders accountable, and promoting people-centred development. The organization pledged to continue amplifying voices from marginalized communities and showcasing local solutions to poverty across Africa.
'The time has come for Africa to write its own story, one where poverty is not destiny but a chapter. We have the power to close,' AMG concluded.
