By Surihe Gaomas WINDHOEK With the stated intent to strengthen economic ties between Namibia and the United States of America, the President of the African Nationalist Pioneers Movement, Morris Powell, yesterday paid a courtesy call on President Hifikepunye Pohamba at State House. During the brief visit, he informed the Head of State that he was on a mission to close the economic gap between the developed world and Africa. “We want to deal with the economic resources from the States to be channelled here to Namibia. Every year, black Americans consume between US$6- and US$7billion and we need to channel it here,” explained Powell. For a long time, Africa has been marginalised economically as there are not so many Africans working in the fields of science and technology, he said. Powell stressed the need for scientific and technically inclined Africans to help elevate their countries economically. “We are going to win this economic world,” said Powell, further stating that Africa must be seen to deliver economically as well. President Pohamba on his part said Namibia’s development movement is now geared towards economic emancipation, where citizens benefit from the economy. He added that Namibians should tackle its economic development the same way the country fought for its liberation struggle. Powell felt there is a need to “work on the mindsets of people who have for long been brainwashed economically, where we can become engineers of our own continent”. This is the first visit by Powell to Africa and in particular to Namibia. During his brief stay in the country and apart from sightseeing, Powell will also be meeting with the Minister of Trade and Industry Immanuel Ngatjizeko.