Africans responsible for their future - Barack Obama

The President of the United States of America, Barack Hussein Obama, has noted that good governance is the change that can unlock Africa’s potential and that it is a responsibility that can be met by only Africans.

According to him, good governance is the ingredient which has been missing in far too many places, for too long in Africa, and consequently, challenged Africans not to blame nor rely on others to solve their problems since Africa’s future is up to Africans. The US President said history offers a clear verdict that governments that respect the will of their own people are more prosperous, more stable and more successful than government that do not.

He noted that although it is easy to point fingers, and to pin the blame for Africa’s failure on our colonial masters, they are not responsible for the destruction of the Zimbabwean economy over the last decade, or wars in which children are enlisted as combatants. He further identified Africa’s problems as partly tribalism, nepotism, conflicts and corruption.

Speaking in Ghana at the Accra International Conference Center, on his first visit to Sub Sahara Africa, Mr Obama said the 21^st Century will be shaped by what happens not just in Rome or Moscow or Washington but what happens in Accra as well.

“This is the simple truth of a time when the boundaries between people are overwhelmed by our connections. Your prosperity can expand America’s. Your health and security can contribute to the world’s. And the strength of your democracy can help advanced human rights for people everywhere,” he stated.

Mr Obama stressed that America will not seek to impose any system of government on any other nation because the essential truth of democracy is that each nation determines its own destiny. “What we will do is increase assistance for responsible individuals and institutions, with a focus on supporting good governance, on parliaments which check abuses of power and ensure that opposition voices are heard; on the rule of law, which ensures the equal administration of justice; on civic participation, so that young people get involved; and on concrete solutions to corruption like forensic accounting; and protecting whistle blowers to advance transparency and accountability.”

The first black President of America and also the first sitting President of the US to address the Parliament of Ghana noted that in the 21^st century, capable, reliable and transparent institutions are the key to success. Strong Parliaments and honest police forces; independent judges and journalists; a vibrant private sector and civil society are the things that give life to democracy, because that is what matters in people’s lifes.

Mr Obama’s address which touched on four main pillars, namely, democracy, opportunity, health and peaceful resolution of conflicts, also challenged America and the west to do more to promote trade and investment. He pointed out that wealthy nations must open their doors to goods and services from Africa in a meaningful way.

On health, he disclosed that his administration has committed $63 billion to carry on the forward fight against HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis and eradicating polio.

The US President paid glowing tribute to Ghana for its contributions to peacekeeping from Congo, Lebanon and Liberia and also the efforts to resist the scourge of the drug trade.