The BCP leader was speaking on the occasion of a two-day 'New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) workshop of the United Kingdom's (UK) Labour Party and African sister parties which was held at the Gaborone International Conference Centre (GICC).
"The theme of the workshop, 'Popular Participation in Decision-Making in Africa' is timely and relevant," said a delegate.
Delegates at the workshop included members of the Young Social Democrats (Uganda), Chama Chama Party (Tanzania), Freelimo (Mozambique), Aford (Malawi) and South Africa's African National Congress (ANC).
Delegates from Cameroon were expected to arrive yesterday because they were still sorting out visas in South Africa.
Saleshando mentioned the exclusion of people from decision-making, non-accountability of public officials, absence of transparency in decision-making and unethical conduct by politicians as some of the debilitating problems that afflict the continent.
He said over-centralisation of power in a few political leaders is a serious impediment for an overwhelming majority of people to participate in the development and governance process of the African continent.
The BCP leader added that democratic space is heavily constricted and that the power of the people is highly undervalued and curtailed.
"It is my belief that colonialisation has contributed to Africa's problems but Africans should also take a fair share of the blame. I do not think the looting of African economies by its leaders is a function of occupation by imperialist forces," the BCP leader said.
He said it is also an outcome of the failure of African institutions like the African Union to act on the delinquency of some leaders who are its members.
"Incorrigible political rogues and rascals like Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe have been given a free reign to do as they please at the detriment of the people of that country," he said.
He added that African solidarity should not be allowed to crystallise into "brotherhood of evil".
Saleshando said at an economic level, Africa is marked by the dominance of the primary sector, agriculture, oil and minerals, due partly to the inability of African states to foster an environment of high valued-added economic activities. Other features of the African economies, he said are mass poverty, acute levels of unemployment, foreign aid dependence and chronic corruption. He said this situation must change.
Saleshando said Africa, as a continent, should invest in its people. "It should involve its people in the development and governance process".
He said there is every need to evolve participatory democracy characterised by fair and equitable distribution of wealth and resources.
Saleshando said it was his hope that the workshop would go a long way in sensitising the participants to the centrality of popular participation in decision-making.
He said it should be noted that as much as popular participation is one of the objectives of NEPAD, it is also an extension of the African Charter for Popular Participation in Development and Transformation crafted in Arusha, Tanzania in 1990.
"It is thus imperative that those of us present should recognise that as a continent we have long made a commitment to involve our people in decision-making but close to two decades later we have not effectively translated our pronouncements into action. It is important that we walk our talk for Africa," he appealed.
Saleshando expressed appreciation for the relationship between Africa and the Labour Party. He said 10 years of Labour government has strengthened the relations between Africa and the UK.
He indicated that outgoing British Prime Minister, Tony Blair's Africa Commission is testimony to the New Labour Party's resolve to help Africa deal with its problems.
