President Obama to visit Ghana not Nigeria

President Obama

President Obama is visiting the continent of Africa in July and the country of his choice is Ghana. This is a big blow to Nigeria; the supposedly giant of Africa is losing face and respect around the globe. It is humiliating to Nigeria and this is the commencement of bringing the country to reality. The truth and the reality is that no important nation or any resourceful leader and country take Nigeria serious. Nigeria a well endowed country that has the potential to become one of the most important nations is playing second fiddle and a fool's game with her destiny. Nigeria is truly a nation blessed by God; she is endowed with natural and human capital that when intellectually and efficiently harnessed will catapult her to stratospheric zenith. Instead moral laxity, intellectual laziness and lethargy have impelled her to a stagnation never witnessed in the history of man. This development must be a challenge, a soul searching inspiration for Nigeria to regain her old image and the relevancy as the true giant of Africa.

President Obama chose Ghana because of her steadfastness and commitment to the well being of her nation. Ghana is a model of true democracy and financial probity that is rooted in fairness and justice. The point is that Ghana is not a perfect nation neither she has been absolved from all the vulnerabilities and structural imbalances of third world nations. But she kept the faith and fortitude and is not resting on her laurels nor wasting her time away while fire and rust are engulfing the entire continent. Africa has her own share of problems; amplified with antecedent history of slavery and colonialism. The ramification has left a disfiguration mark on the face of the continent but the trait of greatness is not to abandon the pursuit of self actualization. This is where Ghana has become an exemplary nation and a model nation to the entire Africa.

Just like most of the countries south of global hemisphere, political instability beset the entire Africa after her political divorce from her colonial masters and Ghana was no exception. A nation that produced the great African and the father of Pan-Africanism, the late honorable Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, the first president of modern Ghana was losing her direction that Nkrumah earlier set into motion.

Finally when the former President Jerry Rawlings became the president of Ghana he stopped the corrosion and without doubt he restored the dream of making Ghana a model nation of democracy and free enterprise. Afripol Organization honored and bestowed President Rawlings with an achievement award in 2007. http://www.afripol.org/Rawlings.htm

Rawlings became the first Ghanaian and African military leader to run for an election in Ghana and gained legitimacy through ballot box and he successfully handed power to next successive government at the end of his mandate.

President Obama forthcoming official visit is a significant trip to Ghana and Africa, a part of the world America has a long relationship but vaguely acknowledged. While some experiences with the West were not rosy especially slavery, colonialism and support of some dictators in Africa during cold war. America did some good things in Africa - the support of the end of Apartheid in South Africa, investing in health and education, and promotion of democracy, accountability, and good governance. This trip will enable President Obama to acknowledge the past and shine light on a more healthy, progressive and equitable friendship. The reward of this trip can be the beginning of something great for America and Ghana in particular and Africa in general.

Mr.Emeka Chiakwelu is the Principal policy strategist at Afripol Organization.

Africa Political and EconomicStrategicCenter (Afripol) is foremost a public policy center whose fundamental objective is to broaden the parameters of public policy debates in Africa. To advocate, promote and encourage free enterprise, democracy, human rights, conflict resolutions, transparency and probity in Africa.

http://www.afripol.org/