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Darkest Europe President B.

Obama in Ghana By Akinyi Princess of KOrinda-Yimbo

When the New York Times announced on May 17th that The president and Mrs Obama look forward to strengthening the US relationship with one of our most trusted partners in sub-Saharan Africa certain hackles rose in Africa. The giant of Africa Nigeria was gnashing its teeth for being bypassed, undemocratic patterns of their ruling party notwithstanding. Had not thousands of Nigerians at home and in the USA contributed hugely to the Obama Campaign physically and financially? Or was this the snub because President YarAdua, visiting the USA, first agreed to host AFRICOM then back in Nigeria he announced his country would oppose the hosting of foreign military bases anywhere in the continent? During Obamas campaign I was amazed at how many Africans especially those with aspirations to go to the USA were of the opinion that Barack Obama shouldnt win the presidency: he was an African, heavens. Hed turn America into another Congo or Liberia! The same old collective psychological damage. Anything African, however remotely, spells disaster. Witnessing the President and his family walking through Cape Coast has not alleviated any of the damage. Theres the camp who bristle at the single CCC itinerary the conspiracy theorists, haters of capitalism and imperialism. Why Cape Coast Castle when the president had not even attended the recent UN World Conference Against Racism in Geneva to support the declaration of slavery as a crime against humanity? Is this quick skip a courtship to woo Ghana for oil concessions, what with the Chinese on the prowl? Or is it to do with headquartering AFRICOM in Ghana instead of Germany, despite all African nations but Liberia having been against hosting foreign bases on the continent? Perhaps just a peek at the US Embassy/CIA headquarters with all its nefarious

activities now centralized in Accra ever since the terrorists bombed it out of Nairobi in 1998? New modus operandi? The charismatic son of the planet sends a mighty message to the world of how far Africa and the USA have come a full four seasons, say the disgruntled. Greetings to his USA will not seek to impose any system of government on any other nation. The essential truth of democracy is that each nation determines its own destiny. He should know because George, George W and Jeb are no strangers to him. Turning the US diplomatic chapter, his message was that whatever injustices have occurred or still occur are by no means excuses for leaving the responsibility of ones fate in somebody elses hands. Okay, the disgruntled say, then lets have the repatriation first 53 schools and hospitals built and equipped, 1 per country, a humble request. But heres a world leader who understands Africas immense potential, the truth that the world needs Africa as much, if not more than Africa needs the world. He dreams of tearing Africa out of patronization and the beggar-myneighbour game. Africas incredible wealth only needs good governing and institutional support to turn into success. Handouts time is over. Systematic aid continually worsens the disease it should cure: it perpetually underdevelops. Obama will not support corrupt leaders, says he. But the granite is to eradicate big time corruption with the likes of Chevron, Unilever and Briggs Bank and influence Brown, Sarkozy, Merkel & associates to curtail the bribing enthusiasm of their multinationals. Developing and wealthy worlds need to cooperate for a common security and economic success. Everybodys destiny is inextricably intertwined. Africa has been giving security and economic success to the wealthy while remaining exposed to the worst possible.

Lastly, it will be a welcome change if the external and internal practise of manipulating Africans into ethnic and religious conflicts cease so that Africa's diversity, like its resources, turns into strength, not cause for division.

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