Barack Obama in Ghana

In exactly 9 hours Ghana time, Air Force One will touch down gently at Kotoka International Airport. The lean, smooth talking, and astute President of the USA will gently make his way down and wave to an expectant crowd lining the tarmac to welcome him African style. History will be made. America is coming to Africa.

At exactly the same time tomorrow, Air Force One will gently taxi to the end of the runway, before speeding at breakneck speed for take off. Mesmerised, we shall watch in amazement as arguably the most sophisticated airplane on the planet kisses the Accra clouds before disappearing over the sea and hurtle towards its home in Washington. Again history would have been made.

The tomato seller will go back to her table at the roadside. The Y`ello airtime crew will sprawl across the Accra streets as before and eke out a hard living. Teachers will go back to their old classrooms, lawyers to their old courts, engineers to work, and children to the same old classroom. So much will happen, but vey little will change. Its sad.

I would have wanted to see Ghana capitalise on this trip beyond just the media hype. I would have wished for Ghana to drive a very hard bargain, give Obama a Trade and Development Agreement to consider, increase the quota of exports from Ghana to the USA, advocate for cancellation of more debt, enhance private sector partnerships, acquire grants to build roads, hospitals, schools, dams, power generating plants, water purification, medicines, technology..everything that is on our "want list".

What is the reward for democracy, America needs to be asked? Why should Mugabe stop his age old antics to admire Ghana and this historic visit? Where is the incentive?

We must go beyond receiving these meaningless pats on the back, we are not kids, and we cannot be silenced by candy! We must know where our bread is battered, and if it is not buttered, we must seek more butter. It is good that these guys come, Obama is the 3rd sitting American President of the USA to come to Ghana over the last two decades, but not even one of them increased the export quota of Ghana to the USA.

For how long shall we remain the ululating class? For how long shall we proffer wide smiles for merely being labelled the good boys. We must ask for more, we must demand more, we must want more! We must close this gap. Let their gestures be backed up by meaningful economic exchanges, which are aside from AGOA and HIPC and all those one size fits all policies. America must show the world that the reward for democracy is economic partnership, outside the normal realms of peacemeal offers that they offer the length and breadth of the world.

Kinky, Creepy Michael Jackson

And so it gets even worse. The thriller star has not gone to the tiller. Someone drained his brain. Just like the video of thriller, this is getting kinky, creepy, and kocky. Please let the poor man rest in peace!

Like little kids...

Just like little kids, who have done their homework, we are supposed to be very happy to receive the US president...

Michael Jackson Live Memorial Coverage

For a strange man, he sure got the world`s attention. I was, however more fascinated by the smashing Janet Jackson. What could I have done, all stations were showing a strange funeral?

Trailblazing Barack Obama

And so he will come to Ghana this weekend. Accra will come to a standstill. Millions will flock to see him, hear him, speak. He will assure us, as usual, that America cares so much for us. He will tour the Cape Coast, acquaint himself with the evils of slavery. Maybe he will shed a tear.

And thats just about all. This is merely a sentimental visit. I dont see any value to it. How many American presidents have been to Ghana before? And what did they change, apart maybe from building one of the most sophisticated embassies in Accra? Or, as some small voices are saying, is he coming after the scent of oil? Is he?

So near, yet quiet far!

I want to talk about Bafana Bafana, the South African national football team. They played four games in the just ended Confederations Cup, won one, drew one and lost two. They faced Spain twice and lost twice to them. And they are very happy! Oh God, you lose twice to the same team and beat your chest?

What is wrong with us? Celebrating mediocrity! If we have improved, as the pundits want us to believe, why didnt we beat Spain, at least once? It wont matter how sexy the football you play is, we need to count a series of victories, period!

This got me thinking. We tend to want to console ourselves as Africans so much. When we achieve 45% of the target we celebrate, because at least it is not 20%. We never seek to get 75%. We are happy with being "nearly there, so near yet so far!" Why dont we grab the bull by the horns? Why are we happy with half jobs, half truths, half satisfaction, half completion, half of everything?

Food for thought!

Of Thriller, Of Black and Off White!

Umbilical cord cut black
Yet white became and could not go back
Dizzying dazzling dangling child
Life was lived on the wild

Thrilling spectacular sounds
For which many gave a pound
Glitter from tender five
Many died to watch live

The world sits and mourn
For a man who was a cultural yawn
With a destitution to become white
And such values as light as kite

The path of life is the same
You choose to walk it in shame
Or manipulate talent in fame
Such is the fate of fame

Small boys shrieking in bed
All for a moment to get fed
Grand juries failed to nail
But God in eternity will not fail

Rest in peace Michael!