A book on the place of Africa in international politics has been launched in Accra. Africa, a pawn in international power politics, written by Dr. Simpe Sasu Baffour Awuah, dissects the various sides of the discourse on the factors responsible for Africa’s underdevelopment.Without taking sides, the book notes a combination of both internal and external forces that have led to Africa’s current predicament. The geopolitical penetration of Africa, globalization as well as the application of neoconservative policies towards Africa have all contributed to Africa’s economic and political difficulties.Dr. Baffour-Awuah, in addressing the gathering, noted that his book was his contribution to the ongoing process of reaffirming Africa’s relevant place in global issues. “It is time to retell our story as it is; Africa must be duly recognized as a fully mature entity, having gone through a lot of internal and external abrasions, preparing it to take hold of its own destiny”, he said.Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Ziblim Iddi, a lecturer at the Department of Political Science at the University of Ghana, called on African political leaders to accept the outcome of elections, both in their favour and against them. He described the refusal of certain African leaders to observe this principle as an unfortunate phenomenon, which resulted in an avoidable loss of lives and damage to valuable property.“Our political parties should mature from just being mere vote-gathering machines to the serious business of shaping the people’s political will. They have so far failed in their obligation as instruments if change through political education and advocacy on serious socio-economic programs for national development”, the Doctor said, speaking to the Ghanaian political situation.Giving his remarks, Dr. Aggrey Ntim a former Minister of state, who was also the Chairperson, noted that unless Africans analysed our situation, as Dr. Awuah had ventured to do, the odds would always be against us. “Africa has come of age to manage our own affairs, and this includes our political and economic situations”, he indicated.The event which brought together people from academia and other spheres of society was climaxed by the book launch, which was done by a representative of the Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana. In a speech read on his behalf, the Moderator stressed the commitment of the Presbyterian church to supporting government’s efforts in providing quality education for Ghanaians, up to the highest level.The author, Dr. Simpe Sasu Baffour-Awuah holds a Ph.D Degree in International Law. He is a native of Obo-Kwaku in the Eastern part of Ghana. He has written on a variety of topics within International Law and Consumer Protection. This is his first book. He is a lecturer at the Presbyterian University College (GH) at Abetifi-Kwahu where he lecturers in International Investment Law, Labour Law and Industrial Relations.Proceeds from the launch event, would go to support the construction of a modern library complex of the Presbyterian University College at Abetifi Kwahu.