As Obama visit, are African incapable of ruling themselves

President Obama and family visit Ghana

The United States of America’s first African unhyphenated American president, Barack Obama arrived in Ghana, West Africa yesterday.

This will be President Obama’s first official trip to sub-Saharan Africa since becoming president of the Untied States. He is expected to spend two days in Ghana with his wife, Michelle and children. Obama’s visit is expected to be one heavy with symbolism and also one to convey a message to leaders of Africa. The president’s choice of Ghana is simple – he is endorsing and encouraging one of the only countries on the continent that is moving towards a strong democracy in Ghana.

One of the only continent in the world with all of earth’s natural resources, Africa continues to lack behind in the most basic and elementary development. The continent is plaque by rampant and institutionalized corruption, autocratic rule, systematic disregard of basic liberties, abused of power, complete disregard for the constitution, diseases, greed, and very poor governance with no concept of competitive advantage.

It is commonly said in Liberia that when a fish rots, it starts from the head. The concept of leadership or president is not understood on the continent. For most, it means “president for life.” The following so-called leaders have manipulated their respective constitution and imposed themselves on the people by making themselves president for life. Namely: Angola – Eduardo Dos Santos, Cameroon – President Paul Biya, Congo Republic – President Denis Sassou Nguesso, Egypt – Hosni Mubarak, Swaziland – King Makhosetive Mswati III, Tunisia – President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali, Uganda – President Yoweri Museveni, and Zimbabwe – President Robert Mugabe to named a few.

I can speak to these issues first hand, my umbilical cord or navel string is buried in Monrovia, Liberia. Too often on the continent, an illiterate, non-educated and ill-prepared idiot with absolutely no agenda for development will decide one day that he wants to be president and stage a Coup d’état by killing the elected president or previous coup leader and make himself president for life.

I agreed wholeheartedly with the president when he told Ghana’s Parliament on Saturday, “For too many Africans, conflict is a part of life." he also added "There are wars over land and wars over resources. And it is still far too easy for those without conscience to manipulate whole communities into fighting among faiths and tribes," Obama said.

"These conflicts are a millstone around Africa’s neck. Africa’s diversity should be a source of strength, not a cause for division," he added.

Obama stressed that the United States had a responsibility to support "development that provides opportunity for more people." He noted that Africa is rich in resources, and has the capacity for successful business.

However, he added: "Dependence on commodities — or on a single export — concentrates wealth in the hands of the few, and leaves people too vulnerable to downturns."

"History shows that countries thrive when they invest in their people and infrastructure, when they promote multiple export industries, develop a skilled workforce, and create space for small and medium-sized businesses that create jobs."

Obama said the United States has committed $63 billion to a global, comprehensive health strategy.

"Building on the strong efforts of President [George W.] Bush, we will carry forward the fight against HIV/AIDS. We will pursue the goal of ending deaths from malaria and tuberculosis, and we will work to eradicate polio.

"We will fight neglected tropical disease. And we won’t confront illnesses in isolation — we will invest in public health systems that promote wellness, and focus on the health of mothers and children," Obama said.

Obama praised the African nation for working to put its democratic government on a firmer footing, with peaceful transfers to powers. Obama stressed that all nations must support "strong and sustainable" governments.

"History offers a clear verdict: Governments that respect the will of their own people are more prosperous, more stable, and more successful than governments that do not," he told Ghana’s Parliament.

Obama’s speech Saturday didn’t just focus on Ghana. Obama said that much of Africa’s promise is going unfulfilled, and he pointed to Kenya — where his father was born — as an example.

"Countries like Kenya, which had a per-capita economy larger than South Korea’s when I was born, have been badly outpaced. Disease and conflict have ravaged parts of the African continent. In many places, the hope of my father’s generation gave way to cynicism, even despair," he said.

Until African leaders respect their constitution and abide by the law of their respective countries, the next century will welcome African as a homeless person begging for handouts.

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