NYC Celebrates Africa Day 2022

African Consul General Forum group photo

On Friday June 10th, the African Consul General Forum and the New York City Mayor's Office for International Affairs celebrated Africa Day. This in-person celebration attracted delegates and friends of Africa commemorating the founding of the organization of African Unity on May 25th, which is also celebrated globally by Africans.

This year, the celebration included the Consul Generals of Algeria, Angola, Ethiopia, Côte d'Ivoire, Egypt, South Africa, Burkina Faso, Liberia, Morocco, and Senegal. This year marks the 59th Anniversary of the formation of the Organization of African Unity and the 20th Anniversary of its successor- the African Union. To mark this significant event, the Ambassador of the African Union to the United Nations Her Excellency Fatima Kyari Mohammed attended as a guest of honor.

From left: H.E. El Hadji Amadou Ndao, the Consul General of Senegal to NY with colleague and H.E. Fatima Kyari Mohammed, Ambassador of the African Union to the UN

The theme for this year's Africa Day is "The Year of Nutrition- Strengthening Resilience in Nutrition & Food Security on the African Continent". In conjunction with the theme, Consuls of the African Consul General Group catered and showcased their respective countries' unique cuisine highlighting the diversity of the African continent.

H.E. Ambassador Taye Atske Selassie Amde of Ethiopia to the UN supporting his country's booth

In addition to the special remarks given by Aissata M.B. Camara, the Deputy Commissioner for Policy & Strategic Initiatives and the Chief of Staff of the NYC Mayor's Office for International Affairs, the program director, Hon. El Hadji Amadou Ndao, the Consul General of Senegal also gave a statement. The Consul General of South Africa, Hon. Motumisi Tawana, highlighted the potential in Africa, a continent of 55 sovereign states and 1.4 billion people, "We further pride ourselves for being a continent with one of the youngest populations, which makes it an attractive territory for major economic initiatives, hence we call ourselves the Continent of the Future."

Hon. Motumisi Tawana, Consul General of South Africa, gave special remarks

In addition to the tastings of the cuision of each culture, there was live music from Algeria, Burkina Faso, and South Africa. Ethiopian Airlines, conducted the raffle session in which they generously sponsored a full round trip ticket to anywhere in Africa. Ngande Ambroise, the Board Member of the African Advisory Council, Hermann Some, President of the Association of the Burkinabe in New York, and El Hadji Ndao, President of SunuAfrik Inc. were also among some of the honored guests.