African Parents – The Master Dreamers

The true worth of a man’s life is not in what he achieves whiles he plies the land of the living but determined by the legacy and milestones he leaves behind long after he departs the lonely shores of this earth to begin his eternal journey to the land of the Dead. As a rule of life, the African child is no exception.

Legacies and milestones are achieved not on a silver platter but on the canopy of something extremely powerful called DREAM, something our African parents often seem to forget of its very existence. Undeniably, a dream propelled by a burning desire and passion to succeed is extremely crucial for proper human resource development. The African parent has not only been a major contributing factor to the downfall of mother Africa but has also ensured that this atrocity is perpetuated in an endless cycle of generations. Africa, a land of enormous human resource, so talented that when developed appropriately, would not only be an indomitable force to reckon with but become the global force to contend, has been crippled by this simple but yet heinous crime. She is so strategically placed in terms of numeric and geographic strength that she can be just about anything.

Slowly with time, the African parent has become the Master Dreamer, carefully planning their wards’ career as soon as the news of their conception is received. So bad has the situation turned that the African Child has no right or whatsoever in the African household to think of or talk less of discussing a possibility of dreaming for themselves. The African Child has slowly been turned into a puppet by their Master Dreamer Parents. Africans are now serving Mother Africa in capacities that they have no passion for. Africa weeps! She continually bleeds from the knife being driven deep into her chest by children whom she bore and protected.

A couple of days ago, I was having a conversation with my friend who was undergoing her internship at a hospital in a city in West Africa. Apparently the hospital she had been undergoing her internship had lost a patient (May his soul rest in peace) a week earlier due to the negligence of medical staff of the hospital. After hearing the events that led to this unfortunate incident, it made me weep, not just for anything but for the poor old man who has become a victim of this silent killer. I wept more for Mother Africa, for all the illustrious children she has had to lose in one way or the other due to the killing of dreams which has landed people in jobs and occupations which they have little or no interest in.

A piece of literature taught me that if a man desires and dreams to be a sweeper, that man should not be stopped. It reiterated that when that man is allowed to be a sweeper, at the end of the day he would do it with his whole heart so much that when he dies, the Angels in heaven would cry and shout his name and the people in the streets would call out his name and say “There was a man who once lived and swept this street so well with all of his heart”. Growing up, I have placed so much reverence on this literature and what it has taught me as a young man and an illustrious son of Africa. I so much wish African Parents would realize the power of a dream in this world where we live in; a world of endless possibility. I often look forward to a new millennia of African youth armed with requisite information and given the right to dream their own dreams. Indeed, time is long overdue for a change in this attitude of dreaming for our poor African children. African Parents must be sensitized on the effects of this menace on their children and ultimately on Mother Africa. Long Live Africa!!!!

This piece was shared by Bibiniba, an Air Force Man in the Ghana Armed Forces. The views expressed in this article is solely that of the writer’s and is in no way affiliated to the Ghana Armed Forces.

p.s. you can share your thoughts with me on pertinent African issues and have them published. Just email yawakpene@gmail.com with your stories.

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The Beautiful Ones Of Africa

I was torn between naming this article “The China Is Not To Blame” and “The Beautiful Ones Of Africa”. I decided to go with the latter because it portrays what we should stand for as a people as against pointing fingers at people which produces little results.

The aims of the African Union, formerly referred to as the Organization of African Unity which was established in 1963  according to Kwame Nkrumah was “to know ourselves and to encourage views on matters of common interest to explore ways and means of consolidating our hard won independence to strengthen economic and cultural ties between our countries..”

The objectives of the African Union are to achieve greater solidarity between African countries and Africans, to defend the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of its Member States and to accelerate the political and social-economic integration of the continent among others. What this means is that the African Union is supposed to be concerned about the welfare of its members and putting systems and structures in place which ensure that we are able to manage our own affairs.

I find it a bit ironic then, that in 2012, the Chinese government graciously gifted Africa with a constructed African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Why should an organization whose primary function is to advance the development of its continent and eventually reduce dependency on other foreign bodies have its headquarters setup by these same organizations they are trying to wean themselves from?!!! Obviously there is no such thing as a free lunch hence we do not expect the Chinese to gift us such a magnificent edifice with nothing in return.

According to an investigation published by French newspaper Le Monde, China, which also built the computer network at the AU allegedly inserted a “backdoor” that allowed it to transfer data. The computer systems were fully equipped by the Chinese, allowing them to open an undocumented portal that gives Chinese administrators access to the AU’s computing system. The hack wasn’t detected until Jan. 2017 when technicians noticed that between midnight and 2 am every night, there was a peak in data usage even though the building was empty. After investigating, it was found that the continental organization’s confidential data was being copied on to servers in Shanghai.

Of course China’s Ambassador to the African Union denied the reports but the point I am trying to make is that we cannot afford to continually go to the West and other parts of the world “cup in hand” and expect that they will drip honey into our mouths.

After all the commotion that went on between the African Union and China over the “gift”, I thought we will do better and learn from our mistakes. However our African leaders thought otherwise and rather decided that the new headquarters for the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) should be built by China….again!!!! A project expected to cost $31.6 million which will be provided by China as a grant. Only the gods can explain why China must “gift” the ECOWAS with another headquarters after all the hullabaloo that went on with the AU.

As the youth of Africa, we must rise up and voice out our concerns on some of these issues. We cannot sit and watch our leaders destroy the foundation of what some of our fore-fathers shed their blood to achieve and protect. If our leaders cannot take decisions that ensure sustainability and primarily promotes our welfare, then they should not destroy the little integrity that we have. We must rise up and change the narrative by challenging the status quo. We are the future of Africa!! How we treat it today will be how we treat it tomorrow!! Let us remember that the little ones are watching and the onus lies on us to leave a lasting legacy for posterity!!

I beg to differ with Ghanaian writer Ayi Kwei Armah who said some 50 years ago that The Beautiful Ones Are Not Yet Born. That is, the political Messiah’s; non-corrupt, selfless, competent, intelligent, compassionate and far-sighted leaders and citizens of Africa are not yet born. I believe we are in the generation of the beautiful ones!!! We must rise up and act as such!!

“I AM BEAUTIFUL AND I AM PROUDLY AFRICAN!!!” 

Take this oath with me as we strive to create an Africa we want to see.

We are responsible for creating the Africa We Want!!

 

The Pain Of Being Accused Falsely

“In a fleeting moment, all my hard work, burning the midnight candle and pursuing that dream of helping save lives came to an abrupt end. In the school authorities’ eyes, what has been reported is a crime and punishable by dismissal. What happened to the years I had spent with everyone who knew me as that calm, good and reserved student? All for an accusation, made by one individual, of something I did not do. One may not know what it’s like unless it happens to you. I am aware I’m not alone but how many are ready to voice out?

As a nursing student, I used to be in the training school with high hopes of graduating soon and serving in the health sector. I had one mate in whom I trusted enough to allow her get close to me during the periods of attaining practical knowledge on the field after months of being in the classroom. At the time we started our practice, she had no place to stay so we agreed to stay together at a relative’s end all by ourselves with everything at our disposal to make our stay comfortable. Unfortunately, we couldn’t enjoy the rest of our stay together because she took ill and had to be hospitalized. In my bid to create an indelible mark as a good friend, I did my best to take care of her whilst her parents went about their normal duties. It got to a point where I was tired of having to go to and fro doing this charity work but I never complained till she was discharged and sent home.

My trouble began when two investigators arrived at my house, accompanying them was my friend’s mum and demanded that I follow them to the police station to answer a few questions. I thought nothing of it since I knew I had done nothing wrong, hence I followed them like a lamb being sent to the slaughter house. Upon arrival at the station, I was accused of stealing a whooping amount of money; a sum which when given to me as a gift, I would doubt the intentions of the donor. I was accused because my friend’s mother claimed her daughter had that amount of money on her when she came to stay with me briefly, and now the money is gone. I did not even know my friend had such an amount of money on her and she did not tell me anything of the sought. Nevertheless I answered every question the Police asked and I was cleared of any wrong doing.

Unknown to me, my friend’s mum was not satisfied with the verdict of the Investigators. She reported me to the school authorities, who also to my utter shock demanded that I write a letter of appeal. No way! I exclaimed, I was not going to appeal for something I had not done. I tried desperately for the authorities to hear me out, that I had done nothing and cannot be dismissed but all my cries fell on deaf ears.

Now here I am, unable to continue my education when I had just a year to graduate…”

This is an excerpt from a conversation I had with a close friend of mine who got kicked out of school for being accused falsely. Her story has gotten me to reflect on the effectiveness of our systems and institutions in safeguarding the rights and privileges of its citizens, especially when it borders on decision making that ultimately affects the outcome of the future of its people. This is a wakeup call for the government and its institutions, especially the justice system, on the national level to not be swift to pass judgment based on “word of mouth” but that we must put tangible and plausible measures in place which will guide how an issue is to be tackled. This could be enshrined in the constitution and should constitute a framework by which every organization whether a public or private enterprise, should refer to for solving criminal offences.

The lack of an organized procedure is what results in a lot of people being thrown into prison for crimes they did not commit.

I know my falsely accused friend is not alone, as it has happened to others before and after her. What happens to those who are yet to be accused falsely and those who have already been victims? This is also a wake-up call to individuals to rise up and speak up! Others may be out there going through the same thing. You give them a voice and also encourage them to speak up when you do. Together, we can change the narrative and make the world a better place!!

What I wish I knew before I left my Country

Hello readers,

I come your way once again with another intriguing article by a dear friend from Congo who currently resides in South Africa.

Read, enjoy and be sure to leave a comment. You should also visit her blog on “africanstudentsabroad.com” for more amazing stories. If you are planning to study abroad, then this is for you.

This 2016 year end will be the 12^th year that I have left my beloved country. While I am still work in progress, looking back these are a few of the things I wish I knew before I left…

LOVE THY COUNTRY, FOR YOU HAVE NO OTHER

Yep, you were not born into a country by mistake. Learn more about your country’s history and culture-cherish it for there will be times when you miss it badly, and by badly…I mean BADLY…the food, the language, the  culture, the people, (and in my case off course the dancing!Lol!) etc.  As per my previous post, I left Congo knowing I would never go back as a student simply because I naively believed that everything was better in the other country. While true about opportunities offered by South Africa; a trip to Kinshasa made me question my decision to live in South Africa…I can blame the occasional homesickness for this…;-)

MAKE TIME FOR LOVED ONES, ESP. PARENTS

What nobody tells you is that life outside of the country is tough. You may have electricity, water, internet, sumptuous meals without breaking the bank…..but it does not change the fact it is tough nonetheless. Why? Until such a time when you make new friends and build up your squad, you are pretty much on your own and need nerves of steel everyday to go through the cultural differences, long admin as a foreign student, and sometimes difficult finances as well. Cherish those who are there for you and encourage you. As you grow older that number will shrink incredibly fast-ensure you let them know how you feel and that you care.

SEEK ADVICE FROM THOSE WHOM YOU ADMIRE (WANT TO BECOME)

They say “your network will determine your net worth”, and in my case it has turned out to be very true. I made friends with a bunch of very ambitious and hard working friends who helped me realise real quick that my Francophone background was going to be a problem if I did not work twice as hard. Looking back, each one of my “squad” as I would like to call them taught me something (a post for another day)

-Do: Sleep, when failing will be of no value

-Tp: Chemical Engineering and glam do go together

-Re: She has taught me; pay attention to your words, use them to speak positivity into your life; your attitude determines your altitude, work hard and play hard

-Th: Get organised or crumble, being at the top comes with the responsibility to pull others up and one need not be ashamed of having a soft heart-it is a BIG asset to treasure

-Ta: meek is not weak, this woman’s faith is exemplary

-Mu: hard work pays off

-Ch: when tired at midnight, taking a dance break will take you very far. It is NEVER too late for anything as long as you keep getting yourself up (I promise to do a separate post later, what a warrior)

-Pg: If being organised was a child, she would be its mother

-Al: hard work and discipline

-L: You need to look after your body, regardless of stress levels

Anyways, I could go on and on…but needless say that my friends played a HUGE role in motivating me when I had lost faith in myself (yep, those zeros eventually can weigh on you), and whenever I could-I did the same for them. We all came from fairly similar backgrounds (i.e. pressure from African parents…lol!), and understood each other’s struggle, fears and ambitions as well. I was closest to each of them at various times, depending on the season in my life but they always played that positive role and kept that one goal in mind (i.e. getting that degree)

A LANGUAGE BARRIER IS A THING! DON’T GIVE IT TOO MUCH POWER, BUT DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE IT TOO

Anyone who has moved into a country where a different language is spoken will relate. The first year was BRUTAL, and even more brutal if that year was spent directly at university/tertiary level. In my case I spoke French, even did the TOEFL in Kinshasa (and got great grades) but that still did not prepare me for Shakespeare in matric (the shock and horror,lol!). My first grade for my essay was 32% and my saving grace was getting used to the language (and culture) in a slower pace before University. I got used to hearing English, writing in English, speaking in English and reading texts in English. While merely scratching the surface, it gave me a head start to cope with the fast pace at University. My honest advice for anyone planning to study in an English speaking country is to not leave until you have done the TOEFL (or whatever the equivalent is for other languages e.g. Mandarin, Portuguese, German, etc.).It will help!

CHOOSE WHOM YOU DATE WISELY-AIN’T NOBODY GOT TIME FOR ANYTHING ELSE

I am in my 30s and single, did date during my student years….but did not work out somehow. The truth is I really just simply could not be bothered as my priority was my degree and I let nobody/nothing get in the way… Many heartbreaks later, looking back…I wish I had put more effort into selecting whom I dated and chose to entertain…Some of the best couples I know met in Varsity….my advice to you is do put yourself out there (as a Christian-know your values and boundaries…).

EXPLORE, EXPLORE AND EXPLORE!

Varsity is THE only period in your life where you will probably be able to have 2-3 months of holidays(yep, those days will be long gone and you will be reminiscing HARD). Do not waste that valuable opportunity sleeping and watching TV…look for internship opportunities, volunteer abroad programmes, work on a dream and/or join a club/develop yourself-why not start your own business ventures/side hustle?  The world is truly your oyster.

POCKET MONEY DOES NOT NEED TO COME FROM PARENTS ALONE: WORK FOR IT

This is probably very relevant for Central/Western African kids. I often found that my Southern and Eastern  African friends always had some sort of side hustle to make extra money (esp those with wealthier parents funny enough). In central Africa, we were raised to be content with what was given at home…I had to break free from that cycle, and understand that I needed to help myself. The different types of job available as a student are: waitressing, tutoring, shop assistant, blogging, data capturing, etc. Depending on schedule, I would recommend you do at least 2-4 different jobs (for a minimum of 3 months each) as a student.

GROW THYSELF!

Most universities have SO many different societies that can help you develop your soft and interpersonal skills. Find one that works for you depending on your interests and schedule and commit to it ;-)! I remember being part of (at various times) Black Management Forum, Congolese Student Society, Investoc, Girl Eng, SAWomeng, East African Student Society, Kolbe Catholic Society, Ballroom dancing, Angolan Society (could not resist these Kizomba lessons).

PLAY HARD, WORK HARDER

Balance is key. Yes, you are here to work/study/etc, but we are human beings. Make sure you make time for that hobby, passion and/or simply relax. For many, the outlet was the gym, some church activity or youth group, going out and dancing, etc. The only way to stay motivated is to take a step back once in a while, give your body and mind some rest and then come back to your grind

INFORMATION IS KEY

Seek information like it is gold! For the most part of my uni days, I used my friends (Point 3). However, many universities have lecturers/tutors/mentors with an open door policy. Approach one of them, make time to ask for help and prepare up front. The other bit (esp. as a student) will be past exams, past tests, tips from elders in a superior class, tips from people from your country who have been there before, etc. Remember what they say ” fail to plan, plan to fail”…

AVOID TOXIC FRIENDSHIPS

Life is already very stressful as it is, a friendship should be something enjoyable, that helps you to grow, provides emotional support, the opportunity to laugh and relax as well as the assurance that the friend will not stab you in the back. If any of the friendships you have fail to meet the above, then remain civil and keep a distance. You do not have time to waste on friendships that drag you down…

NATIONALITY IS NOT WHAT DETERMINES A GREAT FRIENDSHIP

I enjoy meeting people from all sorts of walks of life (unfortunately/fortunately there was only one Congolese in my class and he was a guy…while good friends with him, I knew I needed girlfriends). Some of my besties ended up coming from all over the world e.g. Uganda, Lesotho, South Sudan, Malawi, South Africa, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Poland, Kenya and Swaziland. Do not limit yourself, you will be surprised how much you have in common once you start that conversation. The most valuable reason why having friends from all over help, especially in my case was all of them were native English speakers and understood the system a lot better than I did. This made a huge difference as I knew who to ask for help whenever confused.

I hope you enjoyed this post. If yes, leave a comment down below. I will post separately about tips for studying and things I wish I knew as an immigrant/foreign student.

XxKenaya

Redefining Education In Africa

Education in Africa cannot be over-emphasized as it is undoubtedly the most important factor to consider if we have to develop and advance as a continent. However, most children in some parts of Africa still do not have access to education at all.

 It is interesting to note that “more than 150 million children ages 3 to 5 do not have access to pre-primary education, including more than 80% of children in low-income countries”(source: GEM Report: Education for people and planet: creating sustainable futures for all (2016),p.428). It is also a fact that “more than half of children who have not enrolled in school live in Sub-Saharan Africa” (source: http://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/education).

In this regard, it can be seen that redefining education in Africa is essential in achieving economic growth, stability and social inclusion since it grants families from very poor backgrounds the opportunity to make life better for themselves through education. It can be noted that countries where there are high literacy rates prosper more than countries with very low literacy rates. This is because the world is in a technological and innovation stage where the bulk of the workforce must be literates and computer adaptive.

The problem of lack of education is gradually waning in Africa as more people are getting enrolled in schools, particularly females. Nevertheless, access to education does not automatically result in quality of education and educational relevance. One of the many challenges we face with education in Africa is the lack of educational relevance to the needs of our society. Our education is not tailored to solve the problems that we face in our society. Little has been done to revise the educational structure and curriculum that our fathers used in their days. We are still copying the western style of education which is relevant to them but of no use to us in Africa. A typical example is that, we are still teaching young kids in Africa the letters of the English alphabet by telling them “A- stands for Apple”. Now a child in a rural part of Africa whose family cannot afford a three square meal per day, may not have the luxury of adding fruits as dessert, not to talk of seeing or eating an apple which is an imported exotic fruit! Such a child cannot appreciate and understand what “A- stands for Apple” mean, as opposed to his peer in the western world who constantly has apples at home and sees apples of different shapes, sizes and color at the grocery store. Our secondary education produces people with “head knowledge” but no practical skills. We have people who can solve the most complicated algebra and logarithms but cannot do and understand rudimentary calculations bordering on Return on Investment (ROI) and calculating their tax returns!!!

I believe the way forward in redefining education in Africa is to become more instrumental in being agents of change that drastically raises awareness through advocacy by pressuring governments and relevant institutions in taking a critical look at our educational system and curricular. This can be done by enlightening the youth and in turn mobilizing them to use the various social media outlets and pressure groups to push for a change!!

Confessions of an African Student Abroad: Trading Freedom For Western Education

I came across the article below by one Belyse INAMAHORO on MEDIUM which I believe is thought-provoking and worth sharing!! Leave your comments below on what you think after reading.

The contract. “You signed an agreement that you will be returning home after you graduate.”, “You promised you will come back with your skills, disrupt and innovate in Africa and lead the continent into a new era.” says your government, your scholarship donor, or the third-party that helped you get that scholarship. But why do I have to return home on their terms and conditions? Why did I have to sign off my freedom of choice and mobility for a degree outside home? Why does this contract make me feel like the continent won’t survive without me?

Of course, I never asked myself such questions when I was filling out those forms. It did really seem like a fair deal when I was desperately looking for a way to fulfill my dreams. Plus, I had no doubt about wanting to live home forever. But how did we end up here? Since when do children of the continent have to sacrifice a part of their lives to pay back a human right that should be available and accessible for all? Why should western education cost African students this much: their freedom to take decisions for themselves, their freedom to live where they judge suitable for them, their freedom to explore other options?

The idea of giving back to one’s country is honorable, but why do third-parties perceive themselves as the most suitable authorities to decide how and when the African student should give back to his country? According to that contract, the African student doesn’t really know what he is doing, or what his country needs from him despite spending the majority of his life on that land with the people he cares the most about. Somehow, someone has to decide what is good for him, and his country.

During the colonial period, Africans were led to believe that the African man is unable to govern himself, and that he needed someone from the outside to lead him. (and the Bible to help him bear the torture and understand the humiliation). A few decades later, this belief has been carried through generations, and can now be felt anywhere on the continent, from the secretary who can’t assist you until the director comes back from his trip to the minister of health who can’t take any decision during a crisis because he received no order from the president. The African man doesn’t trust himself. For so long, he was conditioned to be obedient, to follow someone else’s order, sometimes walking in the fear of what could possibly go wrong if he didn’t.

Today, neo-colonialism has “loosened” it a little bit, and taken another form of “You do what you want, but on our terms and conditions”. Through education, the African man is introduced to the concept of freedom, but he is also expected to believe that he is not competent enough to decide what, how, and when he can use his skills or not. The contract is a constant reminder that I, as an African woman in the world, will never be trusted with any decision-making task. It teaches me that it is acceptable for my government to be forced to adopt laws and sign treaties in exchange of financial aid, without listening to the needs of its people.

Not only does the contract suppress the African voice, but it also splits the future generation into “Them” and “Us”: “Them”, being the African students who never left, and who are having a hard time being employed, and “Us”, those who left and who are being hired by multiple companies, mainly not because they have tested our skills and competence, but mostly because they assume that we are better than “them”, and therefore we deserve the job.

In his book “Something Torn and New”, Ngugi wa Thing’o talks about the “dismemberment of the continent”, where he tackles the division of the continent from all angles. A group of people was carved out the mass to be labelled as the “educated” and the “leaders”. The dismemberment, through education, forged an elite class that felt like the mass was dragging them backwards, and started to relate more to their colonizers than their fellow Africans. The contract builds a similar class entitled to power and leadership, and whose confidence rely on the belief that they are the experts and the saviors of their respective countries.

When a government focuses on bringing back those who left, what message is conveyed to those who stayed? Most, if not all, African countries have universities with thousands and thousands of students currently being formed and trained. These students not only get an education, but they also have the privilege to experience the realities on the ground and to find immediate solutions. They are sometimes in a way better position to contribute to the development of their communities, than those who are watching, commenting and writing papers from the outside. But somehow the contract is supposed to guarantee a place in the working force to those who left.

I will go back home, not because of what I signed, but because I believe in African Renaissance, and I shall never let a paper allow anyone define what is home for me. It is time we let the African, abroad or at home, judge what is better for his tomorrow, and his country. In the past, we have witnessed wonderful initiatives from those who returned, those who stayed abroad, and those who never left. It is time we stop believing that we, as the African students abroad, will “shake things up when we return”. In the words of the Malawian writer Priscilla Takondwa, “Remember that home is not your little project. Home is not waiting. Home is not frozen in your absence. Should you decide to do so, the home you left behind is not the one you will return to.” (Dear African Abroad: Home is not waiting for you).

“Kitchen Stool Saga”

Bismark Elorm Addo writes….

THIS “KITCHEN STOOL” FOOLISHNESS MUST STOP

Are we really serious as a people? Is the young Ghanaian concerned about the future of this nation ? Have we been deprived of our humanistic values ?

It does seem to me, the young Ghanaian is more concerned about frivolities than the daily bread and butter issues that riddle our nation. I am still shuddering to make a modicum of sense out of the preponderance of this “Kitchen stool” stupidity. The demand for kitchen stool has suddenly skyrocketed and the price has increased astronomically to outrageous levels simply because of a sex-tape in which a kitchen stool was used in the act, and right thinking young people will proudly buy this stool at exorbitant prices and shamefully take photos with it and post it on social media. This paradoxically reminds me of the then Candidate Donald John Trump, when he described Africans as people who love sex.

In his inaugural speech, President Nana Akufo-Addo made a clarion call for all Ghanaians to be citizens and not spectators. Citizens who are actively concerned and involved in the bearing and direction of governance. Citizens who will bring pertinent issues that affect their lives on an everyday basis to light. Citizens who will demand accountability and keep those at the wheel of affairs on their toes.

Like never before, Social Media provides us with the platform and medium through which will we make the niggling issues that we face in our neighborhood and communities known as well as demand accountability from our leaders. Sadly, we abuse this power that social media presents us in every negative sense. Just a handful of Ghanaians are using this power that social media presents wisely and meaningfully.

How I wish the Ghanaian youth would use social media to push discourses that stimulates development and drive a national campaign that will alter the course of this nation in such crucial areas like sanitation with the same exuberance with which they push frivolous things.

If we want our leaders who we queued/queue to elect to take us seriously, we first and foremost, must get serious ourselves. The print and cable news outlets will do their part in making sure government takes us serious but their work will be given the needed impetus if we the ordinary citizens make our voices heard on issues that have a direct bearing on our everyday lives rather than amoral frivolities.

President Trump, distastefully described Africa as a shithole. Well, he may be deplorable in his description but an honest and dispassionate examination of us may also reveal he wasn’t far from the truth after all.

Let’s get serious young people because it is said that a nation gets the leader it deserves. No matter the party in power, government will only take us serious when we get serious ourselves, as citizens!!

#GodBlessGhanaOurHomeland

How the sustainable development goals can achieve peace and security in Africa

Peace and security in Africa plays a significant role in driving economic growth of nations. Peace and security becomes breached when there is unequal distribution of resources that causes social exclusion and marginalization, leading the youth down a path of desperation and preference for terrorism and violent extremism to survive. The African Union has put measures in place to tackle violence and extremism in Africa through the Continental Early Warning System, the African Union Standby Force and the African Union Peace and Security Council (PSC).

Nevertheless, these measures have not been enough to ensure peace and security in Africa because it does not tackle the underlying problem which is economic marginalisation of the poor. The division of Africa into regional blocs such as the Arab Maghreb Union, East African Community and the Economic Community of West African States makes it a bit difficult for Africa to unite to fight against terrorism and violence. This is because, these regional blocs are mostly concerned about the welfare of its members only and will not be willing to interfere and contribute to the peace and security of other African countries which are not part of their members.

The sustainable development goals can be grouped to a large extent in two categories; social inclusion and economic stability. The sustainable development goals adopted a set of goals in 2015 to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. One key area by which we can achieve peace and security by the sustainable development goals is by strengthening existing institutions such as the judicial, legislative body and human rights institutions to safeguard the rights and privileges of the people. They should not be able to be bought over by wealthy people. When the society feels they are being taken into consideration in decision making processes and are given what they rightfully deserve, they will trust the system and this will leave very little room for agitation. These institutions must also give rise to social inclusion aside safeguarding the rights of the people. This is because, we do not expect the leaders and few rich people in the society to go corrupt, loot the wealth of the people, build empires for themselves, send their children for education abroad and then expect the poor, tattered people who are being oppressed to sit back, grab a bowl of popcorn and clap for them. This is what gives rise to mayhem and violence. People will always want to fight for what they believe is rightly due them.

ECHOES OF FREEDOM

During the colonial days, it was the songs of freedom that resounded in the hearts of men who defied all odds to break the shackles of oppression exerted on them.

The onus falls on us not just to replicate their achievements for outward recognition, but become unsung heroes whose prime concern is the inner satisfaction we get from knowing that we have played our part in contributing to the blossoming of our nation. 

Seeing you as part of the bigger picture, I can see us in our millions and my message to you is that you stand with me so that together we can prove to the world that when given the chance, we can make Africa great. Let this hope be in us which was in our forefathers because it is this hope that will save us from who we once were. 

The doom of every system can be averted only by a storm of flowing passion, but only those who are passionate themselves can arouse passion in others. Stand with me, as we passionately render our substance realize an African renaissance. For throughout history, it has been the inaction of those who could have acted, the indifference of those who should have known better, the silence of the voice of justice when it mattered most, that has made it possible for evil and oppression to triumph.

Let the blood of revolutionary leaders in Africa which has been shed give in to the germination of the true seedlings of revolution, and let the battle be carried against neo colonialism. Let us water it now by spreading their good ideas of revolution all over Africa while believing that one day the seedlings will come up and the battle will rise again!!