Daily Independent (Lagos)
9 July 2009
opinion
For us as Africans, today represents a momentous day in history. The arrival in Accra, the Ghanaian capital, of an America president of African descent, in the person of Barack Obama, is a moment many could not have reasonably expected to see in their own lifetime. In many ways such an event would, only a decade ago, have appeared to fit more into the realm of fantasy.
In spite of its chequered and often unedifying history of race relations, much kudos should be given to the nature of the society and politics of the United States of America that merit can still triumph over all manner of social debilities. The continent of Africa where Obama's late father hailed from has a lot to learn from this. Unfortunately, even in the present century there are still hosts of countries on the continent where merit has taken a back seat. In its place we have a stultifying amalgam of dynasties, tin gods, cronyism and professional political jobbers. All of this has gone hand in glove with crippling underdevelopment. As a result, in the overwhelming majority of cases the great expectations aroused at independence have been dashed.
For us in Nigeria, Obama's visit to Ghana should be a cause for sober reflection. It is not out of place to ask, why Ghana? Why not its bigger much more endowed neigbour, the self-proclaimed 'giant of Africa'? Though some commentators have, no doubt out of a sense of patriotic pride, questioned the special importance of an American president's choice of a first country to visit in Africa south of the Sahara, there is no doubt as to its symbolic significance in global diplomacy. It is sad that Nigeria has simply blown the opportunity to show and lead the way, as it is well endowed to do. Unfortunately, discretion seldom comes naturally to the political leadership in Nigeria, as may be gauged by the embarrassing response of the chairman of the Senate's Foreign Relations Committee, Senator Jibril Aminu, to the Obama visit.
The respectable senator threw aside circumspection and sober reflection, preferring to play to the gallery. In his view, as reported, Obama passed over Nigeria and chose Ghana as his port of call because he was being influenced by a coterie of advisers who have misled him as to the true state of affairs in Nigeria. These faceless advisers must have great persuasive powers to have manoeuvred Obama to fly over America's strategic interest in Nigeria's oil and gas industry and head for little Ghana. How pathetically self-serving! It is precisely this inability to face often unpalatable reality that has so far held down this country of amazing endowments.
President Obama is, to state the obvious, nobody's fool. He did not pull punches as to why he chose Ghana. Answering the question directly, he put aside diplomatic niceties and went straight to the point: "Part of the reason is because Ghana has now undergone a couple of elections in which power was transferred people," he stated in an interview with the All African News website when asked why he had chosen to visit Ghana. Every forward-looking African should applaud the U.S. president for his candour. There is no point in flattering to deceive, and Obama's sensible admonition should hopefully inspire a decisive turning-point.
The blunt truth is that Africa is not going to break out of the logjam of perennial under-achievement without instilling openness, transparency, good governance, the rule of law and democracy. The good people of Ghana have bucked a dismal trend and should be applauded for it. Holding elections in which an incumbent government graciously gives up power after an electoral set back cannot but warm the hearts of all men and women of colour. It gives the lie to the racist position that there is something in the culture of African societies which makes them impervious to operating a democratic polity.
In this view, it cannot be over-stressed that the Obama presidency represents a fantastic opportunity for the African continent, which should be seized with both arms. It is only reasonable, though, to expect this to come with a quid pro quo. Given our contemporary largely dismal record, Obama will be failing in his moral duty and betraying his unique responsibility if he does not insist on openness, transparency and democracy in African governments. He is certainly acutely aware that billions of dollars of aid money has simply gone down the drain as a result of a lack of the transparency which good governance and adherence to the rule of law help to guarantee. Africa today, more than ever, requires great technical and financial assistance to build up its physical and social infrastructure. Obama should look at creative new ways to trigger off a new partnership for development.
Above all, Africa needs to be availed of the opportunity to have more access to the markets of the developed world. This will have a catalytic effect on African economies and help to propel the continent forward. The United States under Obama should set the example and lead the way. This will go to consolidate the advance started under the Clinton presidency. Obama needs to use his clout, goodwill and political capital to propel the agenda of open access to markets to the next level. The continent should not be denied the same opportunity given to the countries of South Asia which they have used very sensibly to pull millions out of poverty.
We welcome President Obama to Africa. This valiant and inspiring man has made us all to feel so very proud to be Africans.
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