0

Obama Tells Africa: Get It Together, Folks.

Yes. Finally, a chance to talk about politics. Now, perhaps President Obama didn't say those exact words, HOWEVER, if you look at the core of what he did say, it's fair to deduce, he was thinking it. Ahead of his "tough love" speech in Ghana tomorrow (July 11), President Obama stated:

"The fact is we're in 2009.  The West and the United States has not been responsible for what's happened to Zimbabwe's economy over the last 15 or 20 years." "It hasn't been responsible for some of the disastrous policies that we've seen elsewhere in Africa. And I think that it's very important for African leadership to take responsibility and be held accountable."

I agree, Mr. President. Well...mostly anyway. Let's not pretend like neo-colonialism isn't alive and well in Africa.  That's like saying racism doesn't exist in America. Regarding Africa's case, a colleague of mine said it best:  Many African countries are like little children, with former colonial masters still playing the role of "Parent." My question is: at what point, do these "Parents" back up so that the "children" grow up on their own? Many like to comment on the good intentions of the West, but good intentions or not, there's enough evidence that there hasn't been a significant number of good results.  When something doesn't work - a.k.a BILLIONS in aid being sunk into the pockets of "leaders" and their posse - try something different.  Notably, I think the US has finally gotten the point, however many European countries are still far, far behind. IMHO. I digress. Now, pertaining to responsibility, I agree: Africa is the responsibility of Africans. Let's be honest: the primary failure of Africa, is leadership. Our leaders, for lack of a more effective phrase for description, have sucked.  Does it make sense that some of the world's most promising nations at Independence and some 10, 15 years afterward are now among the poorest, if not the poorest, in the world? Of course not. It's poor leadership.  You can say whatever you want, lack of institutions, lack of this, lack of that, but in Africa, change starts with good leadership. Good leaders who promote strong institutions which advance economic development which lead to progress and growth which lead to a better quality of life for their people. When national leaders (and this is not just Presidents - ministers, deputies and the such should be included, too - but because of the whole big man issue we deal with, Presidents are the easiest to target) view their countries not as countries, but as their own individual kingdom, fit with ready made servants (aka citizens) for them to rule over until death (or coup), what can we expect? :: Caveat - Not all leaders are piss poor.  Look at Rwanda, Ghana, Tanzania, Liberia, Botswana, etc.  We've got some Winners. or at least Tryers.  :: Before I finish this rant, let me say that it's easy, yet incomplete to just say "the governments suck."  We suck too.  We - Africa's Diaspora - are not doing nearly as much as we can to help the continent. China, Brazil, Indonesia, India - while they all have issues, these countries are among the fastest growing economies in the world, with the possibility of surpassing many developed countries that have long been dominating the pack. You know why? Because their Diaspora is busy at work - investing in business, using their connections in the West to build strategic partnerships to their country's benefits, building infrastructure, helping out where possible. Government can't do everything.  The educated populace and civil society have to play a significant role, particularly in Africa. Ghana gets it though, which is why President Obama is visiting them first. Many Ghanaians, young and old, have returned home to make the country better.  Started businesses, become members of the government, have been effectively mobilizing their efforts for a better country. Maybe Ghana and her peers offer us a bright light. Maybe the problem of leadership that has plagued Africa's past, won't do so in the future.  In any case, it's 2009, Africa. Let's get it together.  If we wait much longer, we'll be so far behind, we won't even qualify for the race. :: President O's Interview with allafrica.com / text version available here :: ************************************************************** about 20 minutes later: I've just read over what I wrote above and I realize that it's so easy to say these things and be all fired up and what not, but Africa needs solutions, not rhetoric. That said, if 80% of a country's population is illiterate, if an entire country's GDP equates to less than what the US spends in an hour, if educational systems are virtually non-existent and people can't even get electricity to their homes, let alone have access to the internet, than what the hell does one do?  What is the hope of a country like that? Where do you start? What are your thoughts? Let's brainstorm, maybe we can figure something out...