The relationship between Ethiopia and Ghana, which has tremendously contributed to the advancement of pan-Africanism, should be reinforced in the areas of economic integration, Ghanaian Senior Legal Advisor at the African Union, Dr. Ahmed Zanya Bugre remarked. In an exclusive interview with ENA, Bugre stated that Ghana and Ethiopia have a long history together and have been close ever since Kwame Nkrumah and Haile Selassie. 'I always tell people that Ethiopia is like Ghana or Ghanaians are like Ethiopians. They are very, very welcoming people, but it must go deeper,' he elaborated. Moreover, he described that Ethiopia is not only the origin of the black race, but it is the cradle of human civilization and the beginning of humankind. 'We are lucky, we are very fortunate to be in Ethiopia. Ethiopia is a symbol of freedom, because Ethiopians have never symbolically been colonized. That is very, very important for Africa, especially like Ghana, where Ghana was one of the first countries that obtained independ ence as a shining black star.' Ethiopia is a very significant country when it comes to pan-Africanism, he said stressing that Ethiopians should use this opportunity for generation building and strengthening its center for Africans. 'Ethiopians have played a pivotal role against colonialism and they looked for the emancipation of the black people from colonialism.' Noting the great contribution of the two countries to flourishing Pan-Africanism, Bugre underscored that Ethiopia and Ghana should expedite economic integration apart from deepening their political ties. The countries have to take advantage of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and increase the mobility of young people. 'Ethiopians must be able to go to Ghana to study and work as well as Ghanaians must be able to come to Ethiopia to work. Ethiopia is now a hub of Africa as Ethiopian Airlines has been linking all of Africa. When you live in Addis you are living in Africa, the millions of Africans who transit Ethiopia to Africa is v ery significant.' Pan-Africanism is an aspiration which is yet to be realized by the younger generation, he said "Our forefathers like Kwame Nkrumah, Emperor Haile Selassie and the rest believed in one Africa. All Africans belong to Africa." Bugre quoted the Kwame Nkrumah famous saying that 'I am not African because I was born in Africa, but because African was born in me.' He said that after 60 years, the younger generation will be able to revive the concept of Pan-Africanism as the concept aspires for a peaceful, prosperous and integrated Africa suitable for its people urging Africans to go back to the roots of pan-Africanism. Bugre has also mentioned about the importance of teaching the young Africans about their culture and history. 'We have to go back to our roots of Pan Africanism where we talk about not only liberation, the liberation of the African continent from slavery and colonization, but also to teach our history as many African young people in schools read European textbooks, but we don't w rite about our own culture.' He stressed the need to follow the footsteps of the founding fathers of Africa who advocated integration and unity in order to change the lives of people in the continent. Source: Ethiopian News Agency