Can The Youth Save Africa From Neo-Colonialism?

Nkrumah wrestles power from colonial Britain, making Ghana and subsequently Africa free from colonial rule.

By Honourable Saka

In his book, “Neo-Colonialism The Last Stage of Imperialism”, (page11) Nkrumah cautioned:

'So long as Africa remains divided, it will therefore be the wealthy consumer countries who will dictate the price of its resources'.

I told you so! This appears to be the bitterness boiling up in the hearts of many Pan-African revolutionaries across the world as Africa gradually sinks into the pit of poverty whiles resources are been taken for peanuts on a daily basis.

Today, the dangers of Neo-colonialism have become so evident in Africa to the point where no further explanation is necessary. Africa, a continent which claims to be independent has allowed herself to be ordered around, always dancing to the tune of foreign “aid”. This is despite the fact that Dambisa Moyo, a Zambian economist and author of the book 'Dead Aid', has clearly demonstrated to our leaders that 'No nation has ever attained economic development by aid."

African leaders have over the years obeyed every instruction from the West, yet nothing has changed. We’re still indebted to the World Bank and the IMF more than it was 20 year ago. In spite of this, the African leader is not ready to change the old ways of doing things.

“To allow a foreign country, especially one which is loaded with economic interests in our continent, to tell us what political courses to follow, is indeed for us to hand back our independence to the oppressor on a silver platter”, (Kwame Nkrumah, 'Consciencism' pg.102).

The fact is, our founding fathers foresaw the dangers that come with our resolve to rely on the western world to solve all our problems for us. This problem has been compounded by the lack of unity among the African nations. 

After 50years, this statement has become the sad truth. There is no African single raw material on the international market whose price is determined by any of our leaders. It is now evidently clear that many of our African leaders don’t care whether the solutions to our economic challenges have been well-documented by the founding fathers or not.

It is therefore time for a revolution to seep aside these traitors for failing to act in our collective interest as African people.

A new generation of leadership is expected to rise up from among the youth with a determination to save mother Africa from the firm grip of neo-colonialism, political incompetence and corruption which is currently becoming the hallmark of modern African leadership.

Action Plan One: The Role Of the Youth

 “Earlier in life, I had discovered that if you want something, you had better made some noise”. - Malcolm X

It is clear that Africa still remains under-developed because many of the youthful talents that can transform the continent have been ignored for far too long. Nevertheless, this is not a reason for them to give up. It is time for the youth to start making some noise else the status quo will never change. Gather yourselves in front of the parliament buildings and in front of the various African embassies. March in your numbers towards the the stations of the various TV networks.

Whiles you’re there, continue to make noise and Rest Not until their voices are heard and your concerns addressed.

Finally, I therefore put forward action plan which must be followed in order to ensure that our search for a new generation of incorruptible leaders for the continent becomes a reality within the shortest possible time for the benefit of Mama Africa.

·         The African youth must first organise in small groups and create the platforms for dialogue and exchange of ideas.

·         The groups must identify and nominate highly incorruptible members as their leaders.

·         The groups must have power to remove from office, leaders identified to be corrupt.

·         Leaders of the various youth groups must link up and draw up a common agenda for the Youth Liberation Movement. All such agenda must focus on youth empowerment including a protest to remove the age-restricted political portfolios from our constitutions.

·         The Youth Liberation Movement must remain vocal in their communities, highlighting the challenges of the youth on any given platform.

·         It is ideal that the Youth Movement forms a political party solely dedicated to the needs of the youth.

·         Leaders of the Youth Movement can thus venture into the political terrain and stand up for the right of the youth. We need more young ones in parliament.

·         Where possible, no youth must vote for the old men but rather a candidate nominated from the political parties formed by the youth and dedicated to the youth.

If this is done, the youth can begin to make impact in African leadership and help wrestle power from the old men. It is time for the youth to begin ignoring the old men in elections and rather concentrate on such leaders born out of the Youth Revolutionary Movement who truly have the welfare of the youth at heart. This process if well implemented can help send a strong signal to the world that Africa is now ready for a new generation of revolutionary leaders dedicated to end corruption once and for all.

Honourable Saka

The writer is a Pan-African analyst and the founder of the Project Pan-Africa, an organisation established with the sole purpose of unlocking the minds of the African youth to take Africa’s destiny into their hands.  He can be reached on e-mail:honourablesaka@yahoo.co.uk.

African Unity Still a Mirage After 50 Years?

Dr Dlamini-Zuma of South Africa is the chairperson of the African Union Commission

By Honourable Saka

The Africa Union (AU) is 50 years old. Hurray! In the coming days, African leaders are expected to gather in Addis Ababa. Many of them will deliver speeches upon speeches, paying respect to the founding fathers of the organization. We will be reminded of how our forefathers fought hard to overthrow colonial regimes and established the Organization of African Unity (OAU) and how a successful AU has finally been established, though Africa still remains politically divided than before.

Ideally, one would expect that after such sessions, leaders will sign a declaration that will give a true meaning to the dreams of the founding fathers of the AU. However, knowing the kind of lip service often paid by modern African leaders, one can only assume that the 50^th anniversary celebrations will not be any different. The session may end as one of the usual “tea conferences” without any serious commitment to any of the following dream: politically united Africa, a common African market, a single currency, an African Central bank, a common foreign policy, a common defence system and a common citizenship amongst others.

Fifty years ago, our founding fathers outlined the following as key priorities (emphasis added): 

“We all want a united Africa, united not only in our concept of what unity connotes, but united in our common desire to move forward together .... Currently, Africa is clearly fragmented into too many small uneconomic and non-viable States, many of whom are having a very hard struggle to survive. An all-African planning body could take immediate steps towards the development of large scale industry and power; for the removal of barriers to inter-African trade; and for the creation of a central bank and the formation of a unified policy on ALL ASPECT of export control tariffs and quota arrangements. Among immediate needs are the manufacture in Africa of agricultural machinery of all kinds to speed up the modernisation of agriculture. We need supplies of reliable electric power for industrial growth. …The advantage of unified military and diplomatic policies, both for our own security and to achieve freedom for every part of Africa, is so obvious as to need no comment. Transport and communications are also sectors where a unified planning is needed. Roads, railways, waterways, air-lines must be made to serve Africa’s needs, not the requirements of foreign interests”. ~Kwame Nkrumah (Neo-Colonialism, excerpts from chapter 2).

It was against this background that the foundation of the African Union was established in May 1963. It was a time when many African states were gradually emerging from the firm grip of barbaric colonial regimes: regimes which were so wicked that Africans at some point had no choice but to rebel against their oppression. 

As a reminder to our generation, Patrice Lumumba puts it best in his first ever speech as Prime Minister of the Congo:

“Who will ever forget the shootings or the barbarous jail cells awaiting those who refused to submit to this (colonial) regime of injustice, oppression and intimidation?”

But how many of the African youth really know about the true history; how their forefathers shed their blood with the hope to achieve a truly free, united Africa?

Unfortunately, to many Africans, the fact that we do not know our history why the AU was established is not a big deal. After all, today we’re being oppressed by our own governments. We have surrounded ourselves with thick colonial borders. For 50 years, Africans have been waiting patiently for the day when like his European counterpart, he can also travel across the continent without been treated by immigration officials like complete strangers. 50 years ago it was said that “Transport and communications are also sectors where a unified planning is needed”. Therefore why couldn’t Africa adopt a unified custom policy that allows for the sharing of information to facilitate the swift movement of people, goods and services across borders?

Last year (2012), I remember in one of my discussions, titled: (“Intra-African Trade Is Possible But…”) I came up with the some recommendations which were dully copied to the AU and the Pan-African Parliament:

·         “Ideally, it would be more appropriate for African leaders to abolish the visa restrictions altogether so that all Africans can travel easily to any African territory without having to acquire a visa. This would make economic integration and intra-African trade more realistic, reliable and profitable since all the waiting times would be eliminated altogether.

·         In the meantime, African leaders must also consider the issuing of Regional Visas (Ecowas Visa, EAC Visa, SADC/COMESA Visa, etc) and abolish the individual country visas. This would also enable foreign investors/visitors the opportunity to visit many African countries on a single visa while avoiding all the long visa queues at the various African embassies. The European Union currently has such a system in place where citizens of the 'third world' can acquire the Schengen visa and travel to as many EU countries as possible”.

Some few weeks after these recommendations were sent; the Pan-African Parliament came out with more speeches, explaining how such a measure could help move the continent forward. Most importantly, even the AU’s theme for last year was “Boosting Intra-African Trade”. 

Yet, after one year of setting up various “committees for deliberations”, what happened to the above recommendations? Are these recommendations not worth implementation in our quest to boost Intra-African Trade? When will our leaders commit themselves to their own words and the very principles that will bring economic relief to our people?

Unfortunately, this is the very reason why we have failed to get to the promise land after 50 years. It is said that a people without a sound knowledge of their history are doomed to repeat it.

This is where we stand as a people. The solution to ALL our problems has been well-documented by our founding fathers for decades yet, we still have no idea what to do to move forward.

Indeed, Lumumba and his kind we fall short of today, but we will surely get there. It is just a matter of time. Many of such leaders were selfless leaders who paid the ultimate price with their lives to ensure a liberated Africa which is politically united as one people with a common destiny could become a reality in the shortest possible time. It was meant to ensure that Africa’s abundant resources could truly benefit her people.

Yet, after 50 years of haven paid the price, where is the United States of Africa? Why are the African people more divided today than it was 50 years ago? Do African leaders still believe African Unity is possible? What immediate steps are being taken to ensure the fulfilment of this dream?

Several years ago, America started as a dream to a few and dedicated people. Today, that dream is a reality. Since then, America has become a formidable force. If 300million Americans can rule the world, why cant 1.2billion Africans do likewise? It is basically because we are still divided and fighting among one another.

I strongly believe the dream of a United Africa can be made possible. All it takes are a generation of selfless and committed African leaders willing to take the initiative and put meanings into their speeches. If such bold steps could be taken today, we could get there in less than a decade.

Henry Ford puts it best: “Whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you are right”.

Like any other revolution, indeed getting to the promise land of a One Africa, One People, is not going to be an easy task. But the bottom line is, it is possible. We simply need our leaders to believe that African Unity is POSSIBLE, it is the right decision and it’s long overdue!  

Kwame Nkrumah puts it: “Revolutions are brought about by men, who think as men of action and act as men of thought.”

Africa needs more men of action. We need a new generation of positive thinkers who are ready to practice what they preach. Most importantly, we need leaders who possess the ‘can do’ spirit. The era when we thought Africans are not capable must cease. For there is nothing good we can achieve if we continue to see one another as strangers on our motherland. Unity is a must and we do not expect anything less after the celebration of the 50^th anniversary of AU. We are one people, belonging to one African family. Allowing some colonial boundaries to deny us the freedom to move together as one people with one economic vision, makes a mockery of the AU’s image.

Some books written by Kwame Nkrumah, not found in African bookshops and libraries

 It is highly recommended that the African youth must read Kwame Nkrumah’s book titled: “Neo-Colonialism, the Last Stage of Imperialism”. This is where we currently stand. Leaders and African policy makers are equally encouraged to consult this book. If this is done, the dream of economically independent Africa would be a reality.

Long live the African people.

Long live the African Union that must be.

Honourable Saka (honourablesaka@yahoo.co.uk) is the project coordinator for the Project Pan-Africa, an organization that was established to unlock the minds of the African people to take their destinies into their own hands. He is a Political Activist and Anti-Corruption Campaigner.

Africa Marks Workers’ Day With Massive Unemployment Figures

Unemployed Africans mark May Day in South Africa

By Honourable Saka

The paradox of celebrating workers’ day continues unabated everywhere but one can certainly not ignore the irony here in Africa. Although several nations celebrate May Day as a day to remember the workers of the world, it is recently becoming a day for protest groups especially the unemployed masses to register their dissatisfaction with the political elites. Africa is no exception. Youth groups have over the years mounted massive protests against the celebration of May Day on the continent- a celebration they consider to be ‘meaningless’ especially when majority of the African youth are left with no jobs. "With over 50% of African youth unemployed, it makes no sense for the continent to consider celebrating May Day”, says Agyeman Kodua, a final year student of the University of Ghana. Many are also wondering why governments are celebrating workers day at a time when over 40% of government workers have not been paid for the past 5 months.

In my opinion, there is nothing wrong for any democratic country to remember the contributions made by the hardworking majority. After all, democracy ought to represent the views and the needs of the majority.

But how can Africa, a continent whose unemployment rate barely stands at 50% continue to celebrate “workers’ day” without a clear strategy to eliminate the unemployment cancer from the system?

A quick glance at the current unemployment statistics portrays an alarming “official” unemployment rates across Africa. As honest and trustworthy as we know of our governments, if these figures are said to be ‘official’, then one can only imagine the alarming rate at which the unofficial figures would be in the various African countries.

As a government worker who had a day off to ‘celebrate’ May Day, I took some time to do a little research about the workforce. While doing a little research about the rate of unemployment on the African continent, I came across some figures and here are only a few:

EAC/SADC/COMESA Region (unemployment):

Mozambique: 60%, Djibouti: 59%, Namibia: 52%, Zimbabwe: 51%, Congo: 51% Kenya: 44%, Swaziland: 40% Burundi: 35%, Angola: 28%, South Africa 26%, Lesotho: 25%, Ethiopia: 20%, Zambia: 19%, Botswana: 15% etc.

West Africa (unemployment):

Senegal: 49%, Mali: 42%, Equatorial Guinea: 38%, Ivory Coast: 36%, Nigeria: 28%, Liberia: 18% Niger: 16%, Ghana: 12% etc.

Northern Africa (unemployment)

Mauritania: 33% Libya: 30%, Chad: 26%, Sudan: 21%, etc.

These figures when added up, translates into over 400 million of people roaming the streets of Africa without jobs. With such alarming numbers, one always wonders why Africans still celebrate workers’ day without a clear policy designed to ameliorate the fear created by the huge unemployed masses. Does it make sense for the 1 billion Africans to celebrate May Day when most of them are without jobs? If about 400 million of Africans are celebrating workers’ day without jobs, isn’t very disturbing?

Why Too Much Unemployment?

Having identify unemployment to be a major problem for Africa, it is a good idea to highlight the major reasons why unemployment is very high among many African countries. There are quite a number of reasons but paramount amongst are:

·          Bad leadership/lack of vision: As a result of bad leadership, there is certainly no clear policies that aim to address unemployment in Africa. We currently lack industrialization that creates jobs. Therefore we export unprocessed agricultural products and minerals, thereby losing money and jobs to the outsiders. Our under-developed agricultural sector has taken a lot of jobs off the system. Agriculture alone has the potential to eliminate unemployment from Africa, yet governments have never considered supporting the farmers. Many of state institutions that were meant to create jobs have been sold off to private investors already. These private investors want more profit for themselves and as such lay off many of the local workers while bringing in workers from abroad.

·         Bad educational system: First of all, our educational system is not tailored to address the needs of our immediate environment.  I have been reliably informed that Copper Belt University in Zambia for instance is a business school even though the region is so rich with copper! How can business graduates, mostly accountants contribute meaningfully to the production of copper without having any health and safety, engineering and environmental research background? Where are the mining/engineering schools that will train engineers, health and safety officials to handle our copper mines? Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Ghana is now dominated by arts, political and social science courses, living very little room for science and technical causes. Secondly, the educational system we have has been training people who come out with the notion that government/society must employ them. Many graduates therefore do not take any initiatives to create jobs for themselves. There are many graduates who do not see the need to be on the field/site but rather they want to be in the offices. They want to wear suit and tie most often.

·         Corruption: Often, there are many donor countries who contribute a huge chunk of money dedicated for Small and Medium scale Enterprises (SMEs). If such moneys were to be used for the intended purpose, it could boost the expansion of many small businesses to employ more workers. Unfortunately however, such moneys often end up in the pockets of the political elites. Many African leaders instead of spending such moneys to build industries/factories that can employ the youth rather spend the moneys on their political campaigns/rallies. Some even buy votes with cash instead of setting up businesses that can employ the young ones.

THE WAY FORWARD:

Educational reform is needed to address the crises posed by unemployment. We need an educational system that will be tailored to the needs of our immediate environment. There is no need for a university which sits on a huge oil and gas reserves to be training people who can sing and dance as we see in Niger Delta State University, (Nigeria) which has no oil and gas research department. Our universities must identify the challenges within their immediate environment and help train more specialists to address them.

Additionally, every organisation must dedicate itself to the fight against corruption. Moneys that are meant for infrastructural development must not end up in offshore accounts somewhere whiles our people continues to dwell in communities without reliable water supply. 

Governments must dedicate more resources to the building of industries to help absorb some of the unemployed youth. This will help the tackle the challenge posed by unemployment such as armed robbery, prostitution, unwanted pregnancies and the spread of HIV/AIDS.

Until a higher percentage of our people are adequately employed and dully paid to work, the celebration of workers’ day will have no useful significance in our society.

Honourable Saka

Project Coordinator, ProjectPan-Africa, (honourablesaka@yahoo.co.uk)

Africa In Search of Incorruptible Leaders

By Honourable Saka

In the 21^st century, whoever examines the leadership crises on the African continent seems to have a few questions which still remain unanswered: could there still be some incorruptible leaders out there which the continent must reach out to? If yes, why have they refused to step forward at a time when the African people need them most? Why do people with strong moral backgrounds never seem to be interested in the political African discourse? Can Africans continue to leave the fate of their children in the hands of those greedy politicians that are seeking political power as a means to their financial breakthrough?

Shocking Documentary Portrays a Looming Crisis

A couple of days ago, while busily examining the ways in which the African youth can save the continent from the firm grip of corruption, neo-colonialism, bad leadership and the wasteful nature of our ‘democratic’ elections (as in Zambia where by-elections wastes huge chunk of taxpayers money), a friend of mine recommend l could be better of doing some research on the emerging trend where corporate institutions are rather facilitating the systems that worsen our woes in a more sophisticated manner. In fact, just when l thought Africa is on cause to uproot corruption for good, l was shocked to discover that what we have witnessed for from previous years were just a tip of the iceberg. With the advent of science and technology, corporate greed and neo-colonialism still at work, African leaders are still looting the continent on a daily basis without a trace. Curiosity they say kills the cat. I began a journey in search of answers to help save mother Africa from the hands of these traitors.

There and then my attention was quickly drawn to some essential materials. On top on the list were:

1.       “Hiding Africa’s Looted Funds: Silence of the Western Media”, a must read article written by Lord Aikins Adusei.

2.        “How To Rob Africa”, an Al-Jazeera documentary by Zimbabwean undercover journalist Stanley Kwenda and Gahana’s Anas Aremeyaw Anas (a documentary I suggest every African youth must watch).

In “Hiding Africa’s Looted Funds”, the writer threw more light on how financial institutions here in Africa and abroad have been colliding with corrupt African leaders to rob the continent of her wealth; depositing these blood money somewhere in Europe and America without any media outrage whatsoever.  Yet under their leadership, these are the very leaders who lead the crusade to solicit for more loans on behalf of the African people as if to say such loans are truly meant for our development. What fails to make the news is the percentage of such loans that end up in offshore bank accounts. It was very interesting reading the tall list of overseas financial institutions which have been collaborating with corrupt African leaders to steal African moneys for decades.

Perhaps the sad part is that many of these African leaders often die, leaving the huge sums of looted funds in offshore banks which is later confiscated by the Western politicians for their use. As we speak today, all the billions of dollars that was stolen from Nigeria and recently in Libya have all gone ‘missing’. Nevertheless, the West have never made any accounts to Africa on the whereabouts of such moneys though many of such African leaders have long died and gone. For instance, what has happened to all those dollar accounts owned by African politicians secretly held in Swiss Banks? Has Europe made any effort to return these looted funds to Africa, though many of such African leader have long died and gone?

How To Rob Africa (a must watch video)

While watching “How to Rob Africa”, I shed tears and wondered why the West have carefully designed such sophisticated with the sole purpose of robing Africa of her wealth. I became completely astounded about the sophisticated nature in which corruption has eaten deep into the moral fibres of our leaders. What is more worrisome at the moment is the nature in which some fellow Africans are willing to collaborate with the perpetrators of these criminal activities while remaining anonymous.

Currently, it is said that the Caribbean is increasingly becoming the safe hideout for such Africa’s looted funds. I am in touch with some organisations to help expose some of the politicians and other similar institutions involved in the looting of Africa.  

Old Age is Bad For African Leadership

In order to end the crisis, the old age-style leadership must end. The youth must be given the opportunity to exhibit their youthful exuberance at the leadership front. For many years, Africa has suffered enough from the hands of old men who never see the need to pave way for young and fresh ideas. This is despite the fact that many of the youth are beaming with fresh ideas and solutions. Our constitutions for instance have cupped the age requirement for the office of the president at 50 and above. This trend has completely side-lined all the youth from daring to venture into the highest offices on the continent.

Anywhere the positions of chief executives are being advertised, “Minimum age 50 years” appear to be the ‘normal age requirement’. This they attribute the need for so-called experience. Of course I believe in the man with experience just as I believe in the man with vision. However, in the 21^st century, I strongly believe that vision may be more important that experience.

 It is time the continent searches for men with vision rather than merely looking for men with experience.

If we’re to critically examine the average age of the African leader, over 80% (8 out 10) of them are aged 70 years and above. Meanwhile the current statistics has it that the youth still remains the largest category of people on the continent. Therefore with youth unemployment on the continent currently standing at 55%, where is the continent heading towards? It will take a serious revolution to rescue the future of Africa before the apocalypse finally occurs. But I can see that we’re not far from that day yet.

Of course, no one can doubt the fact that wisdom is found in old age and that having a couple of old men leading Africa can be ideal at some point.

However, as Chinua Achebe puts it: “an old woman is always uneasy when dry bones are mentioned in a conversation”.

This seems to suggest that allowing more energetic and vibrant youth the opportunity to steer the affairs of the continent could have been more appropriate. After years of failed leadership, there is a clear indication that Africa currently faces a lot of difficult challenges which requires the services of young, vibrant and energetic men and women who have the charisma to adequately address such needs.

However, I must admit that the youth alone cannot make a successful continent. There will be the need for guidance and wisdom from the elderly to make them excel on the leadership front. If the youth truly remains the future of the continent, then there is the need for them to be given a fair representation in the affairs of leadership across the continent. The current practice of side-lining them and blocking their chances of taken up leadership especially in government at such a time when the continent begs for leadership is completely worrisome.

How The Youth Can Save Africa

“Earlier in life, I had discovered that if you want something, you had better made some noise”. - Malcolm X

It is clear that Africa still remains under-developed because many of the youthful talents that can transform the continent have been ignored for far too long. Nevertheless, this is not a reason for them to give up. It is time for the youth to start making some noise else the status quo will never change.

The youth must continue to make noise and Rest Not until their voices are heard and their concerns addressed. I therefore put forward some key steps which must be followed in order to ensure that the search for a new generation of incorruptible leaders becomes a reality for the benefit of Mama Africa.

·    The African youth must first organise in small groups and create the platforms for dialogue and exchange of ideas.        

 The groups must identify and nominate highly incorruptible members as their leaders.

·         The groups must have power to remove from office, leaders identified to be corrupt.

·         Leaders of the various youth groups must link up and draw up a common agenda for the Youth Liberation Movement. All such agenda must focus on youth empowerment including a protest to remove the age-restricted political portfolios from our constitutions.

·         The Youth Liberation Movement must remain vocal in their communities, highlighting the challenges of the youth on any given platform.

·         It is ideal that the Youth Movement forms a political party solely dedicated to the needs of the youth.

·         Leaders of the Youth Movement can thus venture into the political terrain and stand up for the right of the youth. We need more young ones in parliament.

·         Where possible, no youth must vote for the old men but rather a candidate nominated from the political parties formed by the youth and dedicated to the youth.

If this is done, the youth can begin to make impact in African leadership and help wrestle power from the old men. It is time for the youth to begin ignoring the old men in elections and rather concentrate on such leaders born out of the Youth Revolutionary Movement who truly have the welfare of the youth at heart. This process if well implemented can help send a strong signal to the world that Africa is now ready for a new generation of revolutionary leaders dedicated to end corruption once and for all.

Honourable Saka

The writer is a Pan-African analyst and the founder of the Project Pan-Africa, an organisation established with the sole purpose of unlocking the minds of the African youth to take Africa’s destiny into their hands.  He can be reached on e-mail:honourablesaka@yahoo.co.uk.