Guest Author 
Oscar. H Blayton
Bunmi Adekunle
CareTaker 
Codrin Arsene
Aba Boy
Dave O'Cube
Don Thieme
Emmanuel.K. Bensah
Ella Romanos
Charles E.
Holli Holdsworth
Misi Coker
Nzingha Smith
K A-T
Pamela Stitch
Sokari Ekine
Samantha Ofole-Price
Tomas Ernst
Thomas Gowans
Veronica Henry
Vic 
Oluwole Akindutire
Xcroc 
William J. Zick
Obama, Shallow and Condescending in Ghana?
President Barack Obama and the people of Ghana made history over the weekend: The first black American president to visit sub-Saharan Africa got hosted in Accra Ghana. The debate over Obama’s choice of Ghana has been well documented, now the issue is reading between the lines to discern what Obama maiden visit, and speech, really means.
A worthy exercise at this time may be to gauge the effect of Obama’s speech on Africans and their leaders…what do they think of it?
If this post on the online forum, USAAfricaDialogue group, titled “Obama Talks Shallow Simplistic Rubbish, Scolds & Lectured Africans As Expected!” written by Paul I Adujie, can be used as a yardstick, then the answer is no. Some excerpts:
Obama delivered the script of his masters and his handlers! A script written and orchestrated by African “experts” and Obama delivered the script in the form of scolding in stern blunt words which Obama could not use in talks with the Russians, the Pope and the North Koreans etc Obama was at his most condescending mien best when he was in Ghana! And this was mislabeled tough love and I say, Nonsense!
More interesting excerpts from Mr. Adujie’s lengthy diatribe on Obama’s speech:
Nigeria, no enemies of America or anyone, is being visited with diplomatic slaps and whacks in the face by this undiplomatic Obama? Obama is a tool in the hands of someone’s agenda I was waiting for his apology for slavery and colonialism Ghana and Obama did not seize the moment. I am almost ready to write him off as another Mr. double standard leader of a western nation, preaching to Africa, what they do not practice in dealing with other nations. For his lectures and condescending manners towards Africans and peoples of African descent, I am jumping off this Obama bandwagon!
While there is no indication that the writer’s opinion is nothing more than a personal expression of disappointment, I hope this is not how Obama’s speech was received and perceived by sub-Sahara African leadership and policy makers.
My response to Mr. Adujie commentary is simple. Africans and their leaders need to quickly shed the garment of self-entitlement until they can muster the courage to do right and tolerate of criticism.
One fact is obvious from Obama’s speech; Africa, specifically the sub-Saharan region, is on its own until its administrators get their acts straight.
Obama message was as blunt and direct as it was aptly delivered: clean up or loss out! This is the message, and it’s not clear to me why some would be distracted by the ‘political-correctness’ of the speech.
And if my memory is right, this is the first time African heads of state would ever hear such a frank message, a message even made more potent given the ancestry of Obama.
In case you missed the occasion and have not heard or watched Obama’s speech, check it here to read/watch.
Was Obama off-point and as “empty” and “condescending”, as described? Your thoughts, please!
Muti This
Jaye | Jul 13, 2009 | Reply
Paul’s article is interesting, but unfortunately he mirrors the mentality that needs changing in Africa. As you mentioned, the core of Obama’s message is obvious enough, examining the speech for “political connectedness” and omissions is a clear indication of what’s wrong with continent.
Can we get on the program and start fixing our livings and societies for the future?
Ernie | Jul 13, 2009 | Reply
I dont know what Mr Adigie is on about. Instead of engaging in more interesting discourse he is making futile attempts at excuses for the failure of African leaders(sic rulers!)
Can he profer some reasons why we are still so backwards both in leadership and in our expectations as followers.Granted corruption is every where, but everywhere else outside Africa politicians nick a piece of the national cake,our office holders are only content with ripping out the oven, baking pans and all!
Leave Barack Obama alone. How much African do you have to be to be entitle to speak on an inconvinient truth?
Follow my commentaries on pre/post elections of Barack H. Obama @http://www.ojembaafrican-shadowoftruth.com
John K | Jul 13, 2009 | Reply
Paul Adujie is a controversial commentator and I’m not surprised he has this point of view. One point he mentioned though that I can related to is the missed opportunity of Obama addressing the African Union.
“Obama could have attended an African Union summit and engage all African leaders in brotherly conversation and corralled them on how to press the reset button on democracy, good governance, institutional reforms, prosperity and advancement on the continent…”
And I have an answer…
Yes, Obama would have been able to address all at once, but it offers no strategic advantage to anyone. Being in Ghana, Obama was in control, and able to draw attention to where and what he wants.
I’m not sure Obama would want to ‘hang out’ with the likes of Al Bashir, Gaddafi, Mugabe, Biya who have continued to find support within the AU.
No, it’s a bad idea! I rather have Ghana enjoy the limelight and prestige than those rogues!!!
Abendi | Jul 13, 2009 | Reply
It is nauseating that some would rather focus on trivial matters than see the big picture. People like Paul Adujie, John Iteshi on NVS (http://www.nigeriavillagesquare.com/articles/john-iteshi/is-president-honest-to-black-africa.html), here is a quote: “I repeatedly told my friends that the main reason President Obama is visiting Ghana is because of Slave Trade sites which his wife and children would like to tour and nothing to do with any thing really official!
It was really not hard to think out this fact because I know that some African Americans and Caribbeans flood Ghana because of its developed slave trade tourist attraction. Now, I have read a brief of his itinerary and it says exactly the same thing.”
Apparently a lot of people just don’t get it!
Abendi | Jul 13, 2009 | Reply
And another excerpt from John Iteshi on NVS:
“What we need from President Obama is leadership. If Prime Minister Tony Blair, a White man was thoughtful enough to set up an African Commission which expectedly failed to achieve any thing because outsiders could not see much of the problems, President Obama, a Black man surely has no excuse not to set up a think thank or any forum to lead discussions for the development of Black Africa and the Black race.”
I’m speechless…!!!
madi | Jul 13, 2009 | Reply
Not surprised why things are lopsided in Africa! I’m afraid there are more people that share the sentiments of Paul Adujie & John Iteshi.
See this blogger here http://www.nigeriancuriosity.com/2009/07/glaring-ommission.html:
“His choice to neglect to even slightly reference the controversial role America has sometimes played in Africa, raises the question of whether Obama’s approach to the continent will equally be full of omissions…”
It’s as if many think Obama has a magical wand to solve Africa’s problem in one day.
For the first time ever, Africans get to hear some cold truth from close relative and all some see is omissions and ‘imperfection in America’s relationship to Africa’?
Culturesoup | Jul 13, 2009 | Reply
I don’t think his speech was condescending; incomplete is more like it. He didn’t say anything untrue (i have no wish to defend inept and sometimes, just plain evil governments) but it wasn’t novel either. The people that care about their countries already know all these things. Maybe the afore-mentioned governments will listen because Obama said it (i don’t know how likely that is but we can hope).
You should see the great post on Nigerian Curiosity that addresses this topic in more detail.
And unlike the quoted commenter, i am not disappointed in Obama because i wasn’t really expecting anything different. I still respect him for who he is and what he has achieved but he is the president of America, not the world and any expectations of him must be viewed from that perspective.
solomonsydelle | Jul 13, 2009 | Reply
@ madi: I am afraid that you have somehow managed to take my writing out of context.
Nobody at Nigerian Curiosity, not any of my readers (as far as I know) and most definitely not me, expects Obama or anyone to solve Africa’s problems. Let us get that one point glaringly clear. The point of my article was to note that while Obama spoke of “partnership”, “mutual responsibility” and “mutual respect” he ignored the complexities of US-Africa’s historical relations and the impact that has had in creating the Africa we see today. There was no expectation of apology or anything of the sort, simply an expression of acknowledgment for the US role in creating some schism, something Obama has freely done in his speeches to European allies on more than one occasion. I even provided a link in my post noting the criticism he had received for doing so.
Ultimately, while Obama repeated what much of us know to be true already, there is no question that we, the African people, must take back our countries and ensure that they and the necessary institutions within them, work for the people’s benefit. I hope that this helps to clarify your interpretation of my writing.
juliana | Jul 13, 2009 | Reply
I was shocked by Obama’s speech in Ghana and fully and entirely agree with Mr. Adujie’s commentary. To criticize President’s Obama’s speech is not to praise nor defend those that work to pillage and harm African nations, it is simply a citizen’s duty.
I have never seen an American president so harshly and sophmorically chastize a CONTINENT in a less than two hour speech. Mr. Obama was a guest in the noble country of Ghana, as he was in Russia and Italy and Germany. His speech was ridiculously superficial, trying to address issues that are complex and serious in an inappropriate venue. The problems that affect the entire continent of Africa with it’s multiple nations, histories and peoples cannot be summed up simply as Obama pretended. It was disrespectful to simplify these issues.
Can you imagine the president as a guest in Beijing criticizing leaders of North Korea about nuclear armorment than switching to criticisms of the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia then to problems of child labor in Bangladesh? It was ridiculous and embarassing. Africa is a continent not a nation, not even a region. If nothing else the president could of at least shown the world that we as a nation respect the diversity and complexity that exists in subSaharan Africa. That we are not ignorant to the depth of the continent’s history and present. Instead he painted a time-old picture of Africans as incapable to rule their own affairs, oscillating between starving and dying from malaria and stealing from and raping their people. This view is racist and uninformed.
As an American I was deeply embarrassed by the president’s arrogance, ignorance and condescending attitude toward a multitude of nations. I am equally saddened that some of us are so blinded by the personage of Obama that we don’t exercise what we appreciate in him most– his devotion to public service and civil society and our duty as citizens to be loyal to our government and to hold it accountable.
Mr. Obama made a huge mistake (or at least I’d like to believe it was a mistake) in scolding a continent of intellectuals, workers, politicians, doctors, and peoples. I think we would all look at this speech differently if George Bush had delivered it. It was another speech made by a Western leader focusing on fault in order to detract from real tangible commitments to partnership. I was ashamed and deeply disappointed. I only hope that the Obama administration realizes how this approach is a continuation of the status quo attitude toward the African CONTINENT.
jide | Jul 13, 2009 | Reply
Obama spoke only the truth and the message was for the young people not the head of states that have not made substantial progress. Keep in mind when people chastise the west for slavery and demand reparations. The slave owners could not get slaves without the help and assistance of other africans, kings and its leaders. Again, its our leaders holding us down. We cannot be pushed down unless we r lettinf, stop with the excuses and own up to our shortfalls and improve, its that simple. go africa…go obama
Don Thieme | Jul 14, 2009 | Reply
I agree with some of the negative comments but I applaud the discussion by Mr. Obama of the failures of Africa’s elites in the post-colonial world. I now have a blog up at Life Cycle Analysis (http://gamoonbat.blogspot.com) with a link to this discussion and posts by many African bloggers about President Obama’s speech.
Akin | Jul 14, 2009 | Reply
Hello,
@Juliana,
I suppose you kept a straight face and did not quiver when you wrote “Mr. Obama made a huge mistake (or at least I’d like to believe it was a mistake) in scolding a continent of intellectuals, workers, politicians, doctors, and peoples.”
These same continent of intellectuals, workers, politicians, doctors, and peoples who have found no ways to dig Africa out of its problems?
I am disappointed that people descend into the inability to take constructive criticism such that I can only quote the words of Peter Drucker – discover where your intellectual arrogance is causing disabling ignorance and overcome it.
We would either do that and learn from the speech or we would be condemned to hear another speech that heaps opprobrium and excoriates the grand continent of intellectuals, workers, politicians, doctors, and peoples who are happy to wallow in the failings around them again.
Regards,
Akin
madi | Jul 14, 2009 | Reply
Merci, Akin!
solomonsydelle: I apologize if I did twist your prose out of context. However, the fact remains, we Africans need not wait for Obama or any western leaders for that matter, to acknowledge their wrong deeds of the past before moving out of the doo-pit.
ONUMAH ROBERT | Jul 14, 2009 | Reply
OBAMA, AS SEE IT HAS DONE NO WRONG WITH THE SPEACH AND DECISION TO GO TO GHANA. GHANA IS AN AFRICAN COUNTRY THAT IS VERY SERIOUS TO DEVELOP ON A EVERY GROUND, THEIR LAST ELECTION IS THE TYPE WE NIGERIANS CAN ONLY DREAM ABOUT, ITS UNFORTUNATE THAT OUR PEOPLE ARE NOT SEEING OBAMA’S SPEACH AS A CORRECTIONAL STATMENT FOR OUR LEADERS, PLS GUYS LETS WAKE UP AND BE COUNTED.
Tony | Jul 14, 2009 | Reply
How can anyone be shocked at the tone of Obama’s speech? The manner with which African heads of state go about business is enough reason not be. From Chad to Congo, and Abuja to Harare, there isn’t any indication that African leadership is ready to face the huge task of governance.
With the likes of Al Bashir, Mugabe, Zuma walking the corridors of power in Africa, what else can Obama say than look us in the eye and tell it as it is?
The truth is always bitter, and what Obama did was to recount the truth, frankly. I agree this is what we need to hear, and it’s better it came from Obama!
Tony | Jul 14, 2009 | Reply
God bless Obama for speaking frankly and truthfully!
To those disappointed by the tone of Obama’s speech, I have this to say: find time to visit sub-Saharan Africa this year if you haven’t been there in the last 3 years.
Monique | Jul 15, 2009 | Reply
Obviously you haven’t been to Africa lately to make statements like that. I have. There are many good things about Africa but there are many horrible things going on there too. While Africa is a continent, unfortunately the majority of subsaharan countries experience high levels of corruption, backwardness, and visionless plans and goals by their leaders. You call Obama a racist because he knows and talks about the realities of many African countries. He should have gone further and called for a real revolution by the poor and the reformers against the corrupt and greedy elites and governments regardless of how they got there and who helped put them there. Obama is keeping it real and only a Black man can tell another Black man to get his act together or lose out without being called a racist. What is Bill Cosby when he talks about some Black people in the ghettos of America spending more money on designer sneakers for their children but won’t buy educational books to help their children read better. Is he a racist too? Many Africans have been using colonialism, accusation of racisms, and foreign meddling as excuses for where they are for decades. If you don’t take care of your own no one else will. Leaders of countries have a responsibility to protect their countries from foreign and domestic enemies. Here me well, foreign and domestic enemies. You say it wasn’t polite for Obama to give that kind of speech in Ghana. Why not? Ghana is often spoken of as being the gateway to Africa. How dare you defend African countries record of poor governance, no governance, and misgovernance on a continent that is full of natural resources and possibilities by encouraging us not to criticize and continue pretending that all is well when it isn’t. There is diversity on the continent, in addition to diverse culture, language, and political systems there is a lot of diversity in corruption, incompetency, and bad governance too. Africans that hold their country back not only need to be lectured they need to be punished and arrested for criminal and humanitarian neglect. We have tolerated too long. What will you do? As for Sankara, Nkrumah and Lumumba I agree they had good intentions for taking care of their people but they failed to understand or protect themselves and their governments from the realities of geopolitical issues. They may have been leaders but poor and not shrewed politicians. Accuse the west all you want but these leaders were betrayed by traitors of their own country. Rwanda is another case example. Some Africans want Clinton to apologize for not coming to the rescue of the slaughtered Rwandans, yet not one African country particularly Rwanda’s neighbors apologized for staying on the side line and cowardly hiding behind that so wonderful word of sovereignty. Why didn’t they come to the rescue? They were lot closer than western countries. They did nothing to help their fellow Africans but blame the West. Give me a break. You make them seem so helpless. I found their lack of response frighening. Obama did not mean any harm but one must acknowledge well the problem and order to work together to identify solutions and move forward. Airing dirty laundry to expose publically open secrets hopefully when create greater incentives to do more than just lipservice which what we all have been doing for a long time.
Tony | Jul 16, 2009 | Reply
@ Monique: God bless Sis! Great word!!!
Misi | Jul 17, 2009 | Reply
There is definitely nothing wrong with Obama’s speech. And if you check the history of any African who is offended by Obama’s speech you’ll discover its because they are doing exactly what Obama is condemning. We need tough love in Africa otherwise we will remain stagnant for many more years.
BRE | Jul 17, 2009 | Reply
While doing research on global reactions to Obama’s speech before the Ghanaian Parliament I came across an article at Foreign Policy Magazine by Andrew M. Mwenda. Andrew is the Managing Editor of The Independent, an investigative news magazine based in Kampala, Uganda. Some of you may remember Andrew M. Mwenda from TED and his presentation at the 2007 TED Global Africa Conference in Arusha, Tanzania.
Andrew authored a very critical piece on President Obama’s speech that raises some very interesting points for debate. Read the web exclusive article from FP’s July 2009 issue:
‘Why Obama Gets It Wrong on Africa’ by Andrew M. Mwenda
Obama’s Trash Talk: Stop telling Africa what to do. Lectures are part of the problem.’
http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2009/07/15/obamas_trash_talk
CareTaker | Jul 17, 2009 | Reply
Thanks BRE for highlighting Andrew Mwenda’s article.
Andrew injects an interesting dimension into the topic, particularly the impact and workings of democracy in Africa. I find Andrew’s comparison of Uganda’s disorganized, corrupt democracy, and Rwanda’s autocratic but productive regime, intriguing.
The question, to me, is how do we tackle this dissonance, working from Andrew’s logic — that it is not the individual behavior of Africa’s rulers that is worrisome, but the structure of incentives they confront, “incentives that help determine the choices they make”.
I’m thinking this discussion warrants a new post entirely….
Paul I. Adujie | Jul 27, 2009 | Reply
Thank you Juliana… your feelings about this are spot on!
The points which I made are apparently completely lost on some people here?
1. Foremost, public shaming and ridiculing is no substitute for a well thought out and well articulate public policy, especially in the area of diplomacy
2. Obama’s government is famous for wanting to negotiate with, even America’s enemies unconditionally.
3. Obama disagrees with the Pope on Stem Cell Research and Abortion issues… he did not scold, shame or ridicule the Pope
4. Obama disagrees with Puttin and Medvedev, while in Russia Obama was polite
5. Obama disagrees with the Israelis on settlements in Palestine territory of West Bank, Obama is gingerly dealing with the Israelis still
5. Obama is diplomatic and soft with the Iranians over nuclear weapons and the legitimacy questions arising from recent elections there… Obama is not biting
How is it, that these comparison went over the head of so many here?
There is no where in my article in which I argued in defence of any African government. No!
But instead, I questioned Obama’s double standards.
Additionally, I think Obama came across as flippant, when he absolved, exonerated and sounded as if, he forgave the West for slavery and colonialism, in his one quick sermon.
Obama Publicly Shames And Ridicules Us; We Are Nonetheless Overjoyed? Written by Paul I. Adujie …
http://www.nigeriavillagesquare.com/…adujie/obama-publicly-shames-and-ridicules-us-we-are-nonetheless-overj.html
I know that Obama is very popular, but, I am unwilling to be part this blind bandwagon, which does not notice Obama’s selective “truths” selective “tough love”
Paul I. Adujie | Jul 27, 2009 | Reply
African American Experience and Lessons for Africans & Caribbean Immigrants etc
http://www.nigeriavillagesquare.com/articles/paul-adujie/african-americans-experience-and-lessons-for-africans-caribbean-immigrant.html
http://adujie-writings.blogspot.com/
Please follow the links above for the full fledged article… what follows below is an excerpt or part of the full length article.
Against all odds, African Americans have reinvented themselves and remolded the world through perseverance, creativity and superb intellect. It is almost taken for granted these days that life is good for African Americans in the United States. This is assumed, even though life is still full of racial impediments and obstacles for a majority of African Americans. But so much have been achieved through persistent dodged efforts and tenacity of African Americans. African Americans exemplify prodigious endurance.
It is crucially important that the world does not forget or gloss over the Herculean tasks it have been on the part of African Americans, who through sweat, tears and blood, have remade, re-engineered and reconfigured America for America, for the world, for immigrants of all races, but in particular, for all minorities, then continental African immigrants and other immigrants of African descent. All those who come to America ought feel and see this.
This, put in proper contexts and perspectives, requires a continental African immigrant or an immigrant from the Caribbean to US who may think as tough, the effects of race as a factor in how life is live or the vicissitudes and complications which could have been much worse, were it not the case, that African Americans have for hundreds of years fought our battles, cried our tears, sweat our sweat and bled our bloods.
Having lived in America for more than twenty years, I have learned firsthand, what I had read in books in Nigeria. The consequences of slavery, segregation, discrimination, and racism are there for all to see. The majority of African Americans are frequently in the lower echelon of society. This is so in employment, education, political offices and other endeavors of life in America. This is not a choice which they made. It was imposed upon African Americans. Lest we forget, it used to be illegal for African Americans to read or be taught to read. It is also the case that African Americans were not offered money or resources to enable them integrate into the American society after slavery was abolished.
Tepid attempts were made during the so-called Reconstruction Era, post-slavery; promises were made to African Americans, promises which were never kept. Hence therefore, we have the now familiar legend of “40 Acres and a Mule” representative of hollow promises made to African Americans which never came to fruition.
African Americans get labeled with all manners of falsehoods. There are those who would call them lazy, and the others who would African Americans for wanting a piece of the “American Pie” through legitimate employment or through education. Arguments by racists in America against African Americans can be so foolish and stupidly illogical. Imagine for instance, the illogic of it all, which is so comical, except that I refuse to laugh at these most perverse comedies which are at my peoples’ expense. A group of people that are without ambitions just so happens to be the same group that a speedily snatching every employment opportunities, every college admissions opportunities through the much maligned Affirmative Action Programs? How can people get away with such contradictions or speaking from both sides of their mouths? There is no logic or rationality to racism and the above is just more proof of that.
It is now fashionable for folks to mouth the nonsense also known as post racial America, subsequent to the election of Obama as president of the United States as first of African descent. But, no one concerned with equal rights for all Americans should go fishing just yet! First because we do not know if Obama has the audacity and backbone to be of value to African Americans and continental Africans, be of value, beyond the symbolism of his election. Secondly, race remains a major factor of tremendous impact on how life is live in America. It has huge impact on housing, employment, admissions, and whether you get killed, beat and brutalized, by the police, even if you are a professor at Harvard University!
There are racists in every sphere of life, and racists in the police and law enforcement agencies who are quick to see continental Africans and peoples of African descent the same negative stereotypical way, any Nigerian or African who thinks he is in a bubble, and removed or different and insulated and immune from these attitudes towards African Americans or Jamaicans… must have his head examined! For instance, in New York City alone, since my sojourn here, there have been series of cases of police brutalities involving many Africans and peoples of African descent such as Ahmadu Diallo, Abner Louimer, Patrick Dorismond and many others. And worse, African American police officers get shot by White officers who presume them as perpetrators! And thanks to the Reverend Al Sharpton an African American, the omniscient Ombudsman, and other African Americans, rallied ceaselessly and made sure the brutalities or murders of these Africans and Caribbean immigrants went unnoticed. Al Sharpton received no personal benefits in all these. Thank Goodness for the African Americans! How can we forget Reverend Al Sharpton, the undisputed ombudsman of the Action Network in New York City, who made No Justice, No Peace a famous mantra?….
Paul I. Adujie | Aug 12, 2009 | Reply
China As Friend And Partner To Africa
Written by Paul I. Adujie
Lawcareer2007@aol.com
New York, United States
There is a raging debate which has persisted for a while now. And it is of concern to me in a triumvirate sense. The outcome of this debate will have tremendous ramifications for Africans. Such outcome will reverberate throughout Africa for hundreds of years.
Foremost, is the impact any outcome of this debate, or contest, between America and Europe on the one hand. And China on the other, What the consequences on Africa will be. Secondly, what effect will this pressure being applied on China, have on China’s forays into Africa. But most urgent of all my concerns here, is whether African public intellectuals are attentively, following this debate or contest wills or spheres of influence between these superpowers , and whether we are seeking to influence the debate-contest and the eventual outcomes.
On August 11, 2009, an uproarious and rancorous event occurred in the Republic of Congo during public questioning of Secretary of State, Mrs. Hilary Rodham Clinton of the United States time in that central African country. Madam Secretary of State was said to have bristled testily, when the questioner appeared to have asked her, what her husband, the other world famous Clinton, thought of a reported meddling by the World Bank, in a contract or loan from the Chinese, which is reportedly being frustrated and truncated, because the World Bank has been pressuring the government of the Congo. I regret that Madam Secretary of State appeared to have faced what probably was a sexist questioning or mindset, or what is now said to be a mere misunderstanding arising from misinterpretation of a question rendered in French.
But here are the crucial questions which ultimately should be addressed by Washington in connection with the questioner‘s concerns. Why should any foreign institution or foreign government interfere in the internal affairs of the Congo? And why should the World Bank or the United States government or any of its departments or agency, be remotely connected in any way, to the reported attempt to thwart contracts between the Congo and China, two politically independent and sovereign nations?
In recent times, there have been this sorts of contracts and loan twists and turns in Nigeria-China interactions, so perhaps, we now know the sources?
And is Nigeria’s open dealings with China really the reason for the snub of Nigeria recently? But why must Nigeria, nay Africa, let Westerners have monopoly of doing “business” or exploiting Africa?
History is our witness, and the evidence establishes and demonstrates incontrovertibly that America and Europe do not have clean hands regarding the human conditions in Africa. History bear the facts of America and European horrid brutalities in Africa. How is it therefore, America and Europe are shouting the loudest about China’s forays into Africa. It is often said that those who seek equity or those who come to equity should come with clean hands. Regarding Africa, Americans and European hands are soiled most putridly . The preachments which we now are hearing from America and Europe, are mere pretentious and farcical preachments. America and Europe, are pots, and if anything, China is kettle, and it is oxymoronic to find pot calling kettle black.
For starters, America and Europe have been in Africa for almost a thousand years! And evidences about of how America and Europe have pauperized Africa by stripping the continent of tangible and intangible resources. Ranging from human beings during slave trade, to raw materials during industrial revolution and since. And more recently, stripping of Africa of gold, diamond, petroleum and cheap labor.
China was not involved in slave trade of Africans, China was not involved in colonialism of Africans, China was not involved in imposing foreign religious on Africans. China was not involved in imposing foreign languages, such as English, French and Portuguese on Africans. China has not been involved in the assassination of African political leaders. China has so far been doing business in Africa, in ways, not any way as egregious as Union Carbide in Bhopal India or Pfizer in Nigeria
The West does not brook competition for resources or business or hemispheric influence, and there lays the West scurrilous attack on China’s foray into the African continent. Only the gullible will believe that this is about Human Rights or Labor Practices or Best Business Practices, history has abundantly borne this out. In Nigeria, environmental pollution degradation by oil companies from America and Europe who have engaged in unbridled oil spillages and gas flaring. And Pfizer pharmaceuticals, which experimented its toxic concoctions on the innocents lives of Nigerian children in Kano City Nigeria, a thing Pfizer would never do in America or Europe! China so far, at least, has not engaged in the egregious practices for which many American and European companies in African and most of the developing world are infamous.
Africa did not benefit from Western slave trade and colonialism in Africa and Westerners can be sure that Africans are no retards unaware of Africa’s best interests. On the other hand, African public intellectuals and of course, by what is African political leadership, should make it abundantly clear and certain to the Chinese that Africa need partners, friends and investors, but not re-colonization by anyone, from the west or east! The Westerners should hands off Africa. Let Africa chart her own course and path to progress, development and advancement. Africa have been stifled with strictures endlessly.
As for labor practices and pollution, oil exploration and exploitation in Nigeria and elsewhere has not shown that companies and corporations run by Westerners are interested in Best Business Practices or Corporate Responsibility and Corporate Good Citizenship. Persistent oil spillages in Nigeria. Ruinous medical experiment in Kano Nigeria by Pfizer and activities of such as the ones by Union Carbide in Bhopal India are clearly indictments against phony and pretentious claims by Western business in the Africa and the rest of the developing world! Westerners have not laid any good precepts, and China cannot do any worse than Westerners have done. It certainly better to have a wider pool of options of Foreign Direct Investments in Africa.
China invest wads and wads of dollars in America. China in effect underwrites a great deal of American public debt and why then is it, that America does not tell China to go stuff her dollars elsewhere, because of her infamous record on democracy and human rights?
And I will say it a million times if I have to. Africans should be very wary of persons, such as umbrella sellers who also doubles as meteorologist in the habit of always predicting or forecasting rains
Africans including Nigerians of course, should want to know why America accepts money from China without even a whimper or murmur inclination to hinge such on and about China ‘s political economic systems and without raising issues about democratic forms of governance and human rights etc
Essentially therefore, Africa has nothing to show for a thousand years of Africa’s contact with America and Europe, unless of course Western Imperialism is considered a benefit to Africa. History does show, that Africa’s contact with America and Europeans, have only brought to the average African, endless sorrows, tears and shedding of bloods. Weapons of conflicts in African nations are not supplied by China.
The scramble for Africa, the white man conquest of the African continent had no Chinese input or participation. And lest the world forgets, China was not invited to the so-called Berlin Conference in which Western powers “shared” African amongst themselves, as if pirates dividing illegal loots. The Irish-Anglo historian, Thomas Pakenham wrote a book which he recounted the scramble for Africa. He detailed interventions in African affairs, encapsulates the horrors and brutalities meted upon Africa by Westerners, still evident today!
China was not invited to it, and China played no roles when Victorian England, Germany and rest of Europe partitioned Africa. And arbitrarily assigned African peoples to different European so-called mother countries of Britain, Belgium, France, Germany, Portugal, Spain etc
And now, it is China, Russia and the United States ate scrambling anew, for needful resources to oil their economies, all puns intended! And Africa remains a great source of plethora of resources for industrial powers. Africans should determine their own fate; apologies to President Obama. America and Europe must hands off Africa and allow Africans to determine who are worthy and meaningful partners. Africans are able to determine who are the true friends and partners of the continent.
African public intellectuals and political leadership, must insist that only Africans may rightly determine where Africa’s interests will be served and served with commitment and dedication, and above all, with respect. Westerners have for centuries sought prestige, strategic resources at Africa’s expense. For centuries, Africa has served Western expediencies, and needs in human cargoes, gold and diamond now, petroleum oil, to lubricates Westerners’ economic engines, while leaving Africa in poverty, and worse, actually ridiculing Africa for being poor and backward.
A thousand of years is proof enough of the abysmal and dismal effects of appalling methods used by Westerners in Africa and Westerners’ interventions in Africa have had no measurable beneficial effects and the Chinese have never been involved nor played any roles or parts in the nefarious activities by Westerners which have degraded and dehumanized Africans and the human conditions on the African continent. I therefore do not see the why Africans must allow Westerners, these same Westerners, of whom we are thoroughly familiar.
Westerners with blood in their hands. Westerners who now pretend to be acting in Africa’s best interests, be warning Africa against the Chinese “invasion and takeover” of Africa! The truth of the matter is that, Africa have in the past been bullied and stampeded into plied for Westerner health, wealth and happiness for far too long, and if the relationship between Westerners and Africa were a marriage, Africa should have had or demanded for divorce or separation long ago. Africa should be free to have “an affair” with the Chinese! Westerners have taken Africa for granted for hundreds of years. So perhaps it is time for Africa to tell Westerners that papa got a brand new bag!
Why is China being criticized for having no political views, on local matters in African nations in which the Chinese are making some inroads? Put conversely, why does the United States accept money from China to finance American public debts without a whimper or murmur about China’s Human Right records or and Chinese non-adherence to the fine ideals of democracy, freedom, liberty and the rule of law? But instead, President Obama upon assuming office and inheriting the economic meltdown, actually singled China out and appealed to China to continue to have faith in the resilience of the American economy. As he urged China keeping the tap of more dollars flowing into the American economy. This, even though, China already has more than a trillion dollars invested in purchase of American public debt.
Why would Westerners ignore all the “evils” reeking off China’s clothes, when the bell tolls for Westerners? But, the same Westerners are in great trepidations and stampede to warn Africa off, of, Chinese pungent undemocratic ways, and perverse-putrid human rights abuses, only now, because China is giving the Westerners a run for their money in Africa? Western self-interests of course! In China’s forays into various African nations, Westerners finally have a fidelity challenge. Let the competition begin, I’ll say!
John Iteshi | Aug 16, 2009 | Reply
I am not anti-Obama. No sensible enlightened Black person should be anti-Obama yet!
All I want is for Obama to understand, that he carries the highest responsibility to help save the Black race and most importantly Black Africa from inferiority and backwardness. I had already in the past written that Obama is not expected to pump money into Africa. All the Black race need is leadership. Obama has not failed yet, but has not yet risen to the occasion!
People still praising Obama as a never do well like many comments in this site suggest are the worst enemies of President Obama.
I also wish to point out that I do not believe in blaming the west for our failures. I rather feel that our excuses have long expired!
I agree with President Obama that Africa needs functioning governments, but he needs an inside understanding of why there is no functioning and responsible government in Black Africa. Obama needs to know that there is no successful society of Black people anywhere on earth and that he bears the highest responsibility as a Black man to contribute towards having a successful societies out of Kenya, Haiti etc.
President Obama and his fanatical supporters must understand that Obama is no longer campaigning to become president of the USA and as such must stop preaching. He has been president for more than six months and has more than 3 years left for his first term.
John Iteshi | Aug 16, 2009 | Reply
I am not anti-Obama. No sensible enlightened Black person should be anti-Obama yet!
All I want is for Obama to understand, that he carries the highest responsibility to help save the Black race and most importantly Black Africa from inferiority and backwardness. I had already in the past written that Obama is not expected to pump money into Africa. All the Black race need is leadership. Obama has not failed yet, but has not yet risen to the occasion!
People still praising Obama as a never do well like many comments in this site suggest are the worst enemies of President Obama.
I also wish to point out that I do not believe in blaming the west for our failures. I rather feel that our excuses have long expired!
I agree with President Obama that Africa needs functioning governments, but he needs an inside understanding of why there is no functioning and responsible government in Black Africa. Obama needs to know that there is no successful society of Black people anywhere on earth and that he bears the highest responsibility as a Black man to contribute towards having a successful societies out of Kenya, Haiti etc.