Prof Kwame Karikari, Executive Director of the Media Foundation for West Africa, has appealed to intellectuals to reinvigorate the symbolism of the Black Star and express concern over situations in other African countries. “This country holds Pan Africanism in high esteem so Ghanaian intellectuals have an obligation to stand up to issues of genocide and other forms of human rights abuses taking place in other parts of the continent,” he said. Prof Karikari was speaking at a seminar organized by the Foundation and the Forum on African Affairs of the University of Ghana to commemorate the 5th Global Day on Darfur. April marks the 5th year since the killings in Darfur caught the eyes of the international community. “Let us use our learning to raise our fellow Africans and assist them to climb up on the ladder of the human race,” he said. Prof Karikari said the situation in Darfur was having a negative effect on Afro-Arab relations and that it had repercussions for African unity. “Politicians can sweep such issues under the carpet when they attend their conferences on African unity but these issues should be the concern of intellectuals,” he said. Prof Karikari said it was unfortunate that the conflict in Darfur is also exacerbating in neighbouring countries. “There are rebels in Central African Republic and northern Uganda who are being supported by the government of Sudan. Chad is also another example where there are many guns in the hands of civilians. This situation is worsening the problems of these countries” Prof Karikari said. A statement issued at the end of the seminar by the Media Foundation for West Africa and the Forum on African Affairs of the University of Ghana called on intellectuals, students, and youths around the continent to join the movement for peace in Darfur by undertaking activities that would support the efforts of the African Union and the United Nations and condemn the murderous policy of the government of President Omar al-Bashir. “We urge the governments of China, Russia and all others who are in one way or the other providing military assistance to the government of Sudan to end any such support or relationship that prolong the atrocities in Darfur,” the statement said. It urged African governments and leaders to intensify their resolve to bring an immediate end to the genocide ravaging Darfur. Source: GNA