|
If you ever imagined Africa rising to become a land of prosperity and prominence, you are not alone, and that vision may not be so far-fetched after all. My fellow Africans, believe me when I say that our dear continent is on the march towards a better existence. I know most mainstream international media indicate otherwise, but trust me when I say that one day, in the not so distant future, Africans will wake-up to notice a better world outside their window. For I see Africa blossoming into all it was meant to be, a land of abundant natural wealth and beauty, teeming with business and enterprise, cultural and creative interactions, and cross-border trade.
I am aware this expression of unbridled optimism might not be shared by everyone, and will probably rouse some chorus of skepticism. I know this utopian vision of Africa may seem grossly unattainable for a continent which has spent almost an eternity wearing the emblem of failure in the eyes of the world. A continent whose stories have often been told by everyone else but the inhabitants themselves. Stories which have mostly and consistently painted a dire, desolate and degrading picture of its peoples.
Yet, it is this very Africa I speak of with such enthusiasm and conviction. I do so, because all the while the degradation was going on, many of its stories were never told, many sides of it never seen, and most of its voices seldom heard. Africa has been making reconstructions of its past destructions. Democracy is taking a stronger foothold and many economies are experiencing significant growth. I see nations looking at the good example of their neighbours and choosing to follow suit. I see a stronger and more convincing war being waged against corruption and the citizens beginning to enjoy the dividends of such excercise.
With each passing day I see the peoples of Africa only willing to accept political leaders with clear vision and a genuine disposition to wanting to serve and better the lot of their people. Patriotic leaders who will not be easily seduced by the lure of ill-gotten wealth, nor fall prey to the tactics of war and disruption outsiders often employ to keep them locked in underdevelopment. It is these gradual changes taken place across the continent that truly give me this audacious projection of a brighter future.
In spite of my optimistic outlook, I also hold the realistic viewpoint that this vision will not be realized without a struggle. Good things rarely come easy. Africa's progress would not be everyone's cup of tea. If it was, I would not be here writing about its belated struggle for advancement, recognition and relevance. There are obstacles to its progress from within and without. From within, greedy selfish individuals who's major concern is using political office to illegally drain every ounce of state wealth for their own personal gratification, playing politics with blood and bullets to achieve their aims. From without, those who want Africa to retain the image of a poor, handicapped and hopeless state, more relevant for its animal safaris and charitable case status than anything else. These are the forces we must rise up against to ensure Africa's prosperity is not unnecessarily delayed or reversed. The march to progress requires the force and commitment of all its peoples; young and old, rich and poor, men, women and the youth.
A new successful Africa will overturn the notion that it cannot function without aids and donations from the outside world. It will dispel the myth that it doesn't have the brains to manage its economic, social and political affairs. Through its own media outlets, it will beam out its own programmes and reports, turning the spotlight on all those areas of its existence most western media refuse to report on, like its philanthropists engaged in useful and vital activities to aid and uplift their fellow citizens. Like its schools with proper classrooms and pupils with shoes on their feet. Like its beautiful landscapes, diverse and captivating peoples, rich cultural events and traditions. Like interviews with everyday people speaking about poliitics, economics, business, social services and all the various things that affects people all over the world.
Our own media reports will expose the biases, inconsistencies and destructive reporting of western media outlets like the BBC, SKY, and especially CNN, with its Constant Negative News where Africa is concerned. They will show showcase the depth of enterprise and creative talents that exists in Africa's music, art, film, fashion, business and a variety of other disciplines. These will be programmes made by Africans, about Africans, presented by Africans. CNN's Inside Africa will cease to be your misguided window into the African continent. If I paint such a wondrous picture, please spare me this privilege, as it is merely a drop in the ocean of negative coverage Africa is regularly deluged with.
I believe Africa is set to rise from behind the veil and myth of a doomed continent to exhibit to the world that it has far more to offer than the images of war, hunger and disease we are regularly bombarded with. Africa rejects the common reference to it being the dark continent. How can a place blessed with endless hours of sunshine be a dark continent? How can a place where the people sparkle with endless beams of smiles and laughter, despite the hardships and injustices, be a dark continent?
Africa rejects the claim by some high-profile western personalities, that it is a scar on the conscience of the world. The only scar it bears is that which has been inflicted on it by centuries of slavery, colonialism, improper political agendas, damaging media coverage, unfair trade deals and whole scale looting of its very natural resources.
Nevertheless, Africa is gradually healing its scars from within, even though this is not widely reported. It is therefore imperative that it does its reporting itself and avoid the risk of others claiming the glory of its success with grand but phony public proclamations which have no teeth. They only wish to use Africa to turn the spotlight away from their improprieties elsewhere, trying to hoodwink the world that they care for humanity. Africa must show the world that its regeneration is coming as a result of its own efforts to embrace more democratic governance, sound economic reforms, ingenuity, private enterprise, and a resurgent Pan-Africanism.
This new Pan-Africanism is spreading fast across the whole of Africa, carrying with it a renewed sense of national pride and a collective sense of Africanness in general. Today's Africans are interacting and appreciating each other in a manner not witnessed since the days of Pan-Africanism heroes like W. E. B. Du Bois and Kwame Nkrumah. They are relishing seeing people like themselves doing great things in various endeavours, like sports, business, music and film. All of which is providing a whole new platform for cross-border interactions like never before. This encouraging development is not restricted to just continental Africans. Everyday, our long lost brothers and sisters in Europe and North America are becoming more acquainted with the land of their origin, as illustrated by the ongoing pilgrimages being made to the homeland. Even a significant number of international stars, whom you would never have imagined wanting to identify with their African roots, have made trips to various African destinations for one engagement or another.
As these barriers are broken down, they are helping to heal the misconceptions many have held about Africa due to years of systematic misrepresentation by the western media circuit. New relationships are being formed, along with a healthy exchange of skills, experience, ideas and culture. It has even led to some relocating their families to various locations across Africa, bringing their wealth and expertise in exchange for a sense of belonging and value they are unlikely to get anywhere else.
I see a Africa creating more jobs and opportunities for its people. No longer pained by tragic stories of its sons and daughters dying at sea in their desperation to get to foreign lands, where they will be neither welcomed, tolerated nor accepted as equals. With reinvigorated pride, Africans will stand tall, demanding more respect and equality from the rest of the world, especially airport and foreign embassy officials who reserve specially poor treatment for African travellers. And if they refuse to comply, we will be more than content travelling to African destinations for our holidays and relaxation. From the Tinapa business and leisure resort in the south of Nigeria, all the way to the beautiful beaches of the Gambia, a new band of tourism destinations will add to the African holiday appeal, becoming favourite destinations of Africans the world over.
Africa is certainly open for business. The best economic analysts have already attested to its changing fortunes, predicting increased economic growth over the coming years. The current continental growth is put at about 7%, with Africa presently offering the highest returns on investments. This in spite of high levels of unemployment and inadequate infrastructure for the most parts.
Whilst the west has been expending all its energy denigrating Africa through its media, the Chinese have been traversing the length and breath of this supposedly dangerous, war-torn, AIDs infested territory, investing and doing brisk business, with no unfair political strings attached. Already the anti-China propaganda by the west has begun in earnest. African nations must be wise and pay no mind to this. We already know what there is to know about the Chinese. Any flaws they have is balanced out by the more mutual and beneficial business engagement they present.
Africa is the new frontier for industrialized growth. Its growing economies will facilitate massive infrastructural developments in various areas, similar to what China and India are experiencing. And Africa has the brains, natural wealth and manpower to achieve great things. All that's required is for stable governments and economies to persist, as these provide the right climate for all kinds of productive endeavours. The issues of crime and insecurity would have to be placed high on the agenda of all African nations. The contribution, no matter how small, of every able bodied African, at home or abroad is also crucial. It is an illusion to think government alone can do it all. It is easy to remain on the sidelines presenting only criticisms and offering no solutions. Think of what you can contribute to the growth of your individual nation. Think of what you can do to make Africa as pristine and comfortable as the foreign environment many visit or currently reside. These places wont be what they are without a strong national objective. It is what drives their foreign policies.
All the same we won't kid ourselves into thinking that these gallant goals will be achieved overnight. War, crime, apartheid, corruption, and domestic and unfair international politics have all conspired to make Africa's advancement a torturous uphill struggle. Nevertheless, the signs of restoration and change are there to see. The Success Train has already left the station and is journeying in the right direction. With all Africans on board and on the same positive wavelength, we can overcome the storms and obstacles that line its path to prosperity, peace and harmony.
I have no doubt in my mind that the future rewards of all our efforts will equate to Africans no longer being forced to become economic migrants. Indeed Africa would become a place of choice to live for Africans and all friends of Africa.
|
RSS Feeds | Podcasts
Posted by Robot| 01.08.2007 09:54