Ghana’s electoral commission is set to release the result of last Sunday’s presidential runoff, perhaps as soon as this Friday. While the results from the last constituency are being counted, the BBC reports that tension has risen as the opposition and the ruling NPP party supporters prepare for the unknown. Stay tuned!
Based on reports from the BBC, Reuters and CNN, there is tension in Ghana as supporters of both the ruling party and the opposition started squaring off Sunday prior to the announcement of the runoff election results. A victor has not been announced but some reports say Atta Mills of the Opposition National democratic Congress (NDC) is ahead and poised to win.
It was announced today that Somalia’s interim president, Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed, has resigned amid political tensions, an Islamic revolt, a refugee crisis and destabilization from pirate activities around his country. Why the president chose to resign instead of staying to fix these problems is not clear.
Often described by the media as Africa’s most hostile and troubled nation and without a central government for years on end, Somalia is seen as the poster child for what has bedeviled some failed nations in Africa. The latest drama, as portrayed on TV and newspaper articles and sometimes mimicked in western movies, are bands of pirates lurking in gun battles with oil tankers. If the pirates are not trying to capture oil ships or taking hostages, rebels are often in combat with government forces in the country.
But Somalia, strategically positioned in the horn of Africa, is only one nation out of 53 nations that make up the fabric of Africa.
Why is it that we hear more about Somalia almost every day in the news headlines and nothing about other countries throughout Africa?
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John Atta Mills or Nana Akufo-Addo?
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For quite some time the momentum has been building in favor of Africa; reports about strong economic growth throughout the continent, peace efforts and reconciliation after a botched elections in Kenya and so forth.
Also, there have been strong efforts to combat corruption in many nations notably in Nigeria and Cameroon. As a matter of fact, on the economic front, economic growth in sub Saharan Africa, excepting some obvious countries like Zimbabwe, has hovered around 5.5 %, according to reports by both the World Bank and the IMF.
It has been a decade of growth for Africa, Africa analysts say, despite other challenges.
Who is going to argue about this? The proof is in Africa’s pudding, I must say.
Now, here comes a military takeover in Guinea after the death of President Conte was announced. From what I am reading, the coup leaders have extended an invite to neighboring leaders asking for support and for the international community to support their move. As I understand, the people of Guinea are also helpless and can’t do anything to change the current fate of their country.
But the thing that causes concern is what impression this gives the world about Africa and talks about democracy. While Ghana prepares for a presidential runoff this weekend, Guinea is burying someone the world community classifies as a dictator. And while the military have dissolved the country’s constitution, the question remains about past trends in Africa involving the use of force, when democracy does not work, as some would say.
It seems like the paradox and tale of two Africa’s that we know of; one sputtering with reported change, economic growth and another taking steps backwards, for good or worse, towards military rule.
Was the use of force the only solution to Guinea’s problems?
What do you think?
It is another tale of the sad fate that befalls some African nations after a political emergency arises as we now see taking place in Guinea. The passing away of Lansana Conte, who was president for 25 years of the impoverished nation, has created a political vacuum that the military is poised to exploit.
There are mixed reports that the military have taken over and dissolved the constitution and yet, the prime minister says government institutions are still functional.
If you are the chairman of the AU or secretary general of the UN, what would you do about the crisis in Guinea?
Everyone is discussing what impact an Obama administration might have for Africa and so am I. This is an important topic, no doubt. I am glad that we are all excited that change has come and this change might affect Africa in new ways. My concern is whether we are asking the right questions about the impact that an Obama presidency might have for Africa.
We all would love Africa to get pass being the continent that everyone is looking to help all the time. Some have even talked of an Africa fatigue in some circles; that is too much dependence on foreign help, assistance and aid. Whether this is helping the continent or not is a question of debate.
If you ask me, I would say “I don’t know”. Truth be told, no one really knows. No one really knows where Africa goes with an Obama presidency. Everything we are hearing right is all speculation.
But I hope it turns out that Africa is a focus of the Obama administration and things turn out for the benefit for those who need help on the continent; the people suffering from HIV/AIDS, those without water and food and quality education.
Now the real question is about what has already been done for the continent. I don’t think we can talk about what African can expect without talking about what it already has received from the USA. It may not be too much but nothing is too little to move the continent forward in new ways.
I think this is important. Perhaps, it is not just a question of getting help but how the money that is given to Africa is being used. I am not talking about corruption or mismanagement because there are those who would be quick to divert attention from the real issue and get off track on this subject. The money that is lost to corruption and mismanagement, though an important part of the pie is only a fraction of what the continent receives from official development assistance (ODA) and spends on capital projects.
The real questions is this, does Africa need to spend its resources more on development projects and education and telecommunications infrastructure or does it need to spend more money on democracy efforts so everyone gets a voice and a chance to know and understand what is going on?
Does the continent need to spend more on human capital and stop brain drain or does it need to spend more time seeking technical assistance from developed nations such as the U.S and China.
What would Africa be like after 8 years of an Obama administration? Would the continent have changed dramatically or would we be looking for another person and asking how their administration would benefit Africa?
I don’t think it sounds strange to be talking about what Africa Agenda has achieved this year. What would be strange is not to talk about it at all. So, I have to be honest and say congratulations to our team for putting up with this organization for three years and over.
In summary, we started out in March 2005 and have been going on and on ever since. To say that we have done the things that we have done with little money and sometimes nothing in our bank account is incredible. But with the talented people that we have, the trust and confidence of the Africa Agenda board members, supporters and volunteers is wonderful. One thing I always like to say, which i will reiterate, is that we will either live or survive as an organization not because we have received grants or donations from anybody. As a matter of fact, that is the least of things I am interested in when running an organization even though I know it is what fuels the engines for most organizations.
At the same time, we must stick with our mission, tell our story, keep telling the story about Africa and its resourcefulness and strengths and capabilities in new ways. That is what makes us different and unique. Without this, all the money in the world given to an organization makes no difference.
And for you, Africa Agenda team, thank you for our Kenya elections dialogue, thank you for our Zimbabwe media forum and thank you for keeping this organization alive and strong.
If you are reading this blog, you would eventually notice something that I like to say over and over. The point is this, how different are the changes taking place in Africa today. Do these changes make a difference for the future of the continent? Do you think and agree that change has taken place in Africa over the last decade? If you agree with this, then, change has occurred in the continent as supported by facts and statistics put out by the United Nation, The World Bank and IMF.
If you disagree, then you have to tell us why you think change has not taken place.
Personally, I think African governments have taken giants steps in fighting corruption, mismanagement and with reducing occurrences of war and conflict. Democracy has also come to stay in Africa. This month’s presidential elections in Ghana which have led to a runoff scheduled for December 28, is a good example of change in Africa.
So, why would anyone not talk about this and prefer to continue to present the continent in negative terms as if nothing has moved? Why are many organizations still telling only one side of the Africa story?
This is a question that we need to answer.
It appears all hands are now on deck to push towards a peace deal in Zimbabwe. As i said the other day, no amount of pressure seems to be helping with calls for president Mugabe to resign.I hear that US secretary of state Condi Rice might get involved with the negotiations between the ruling ZANU PF party and the opposition MDC. Good news indeed!
So,i repeat, it does not help to continue to ask for President Mugabe to step down. My preference would be for him to stay and assist with any transitions that might occur to usher in reconciliation and stability in the country.
Why cry over spilled milk in Zimbabwe?