IF there is any name that will for a long time remain on the lips of most Ghanaians, it is that of the President of the United States, Barack Obama.
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nd why not? For close to 24 hours, Ghana was the cynosure of all eyes.
The international media descended on her and the world’s attention was instantly on Ghana, all because the man called Barack Obama was around.
The US President has come and gone, but his brief visit has not only left sweet lasting memories on the minds of Ghanaians, it has also favourably reinforced Ghana’s position as a country worth dealing with.
This, Ghanaians will forever remain grateful.
In assessing President Obama’s visit to Ghana, The Ghanaian Times thinks his thought-provoking speech to Parliament on Saturday cannot escape scrutiny.
We see the speech as a major US policy statement on Africa, which should prick the conscience of African leaders and those who aspire to lead their respective countries.
The President indeed spoke for the majority of Africans, when he said, history was on the side of brave Africans and not with those who use coups or change constitutions to stay in power.
Africa he said does not need strongmen, it needs strong institutions.
The bane of Africa’s development has been repressive regimes and corrupt leaders.
The history of Africa is replete with leaders who, instead of creating wealth for their people, tend to exploit the economy to enrich themselves.
Those leaders do not believe in the fact that, in this 21st century, capable, reliable and transparent institutions are the key to success, the very things that give life to democracy.
Their actions, over the years, have led to many countries being plagued by too many problems that condemn their people to perpetual poverty.
The Times is of the strong conviction, that until African leaders, see themselves as agents of peace, progress and prosperity for their people, the continent will remain as it is - lack of development and growth.
To us Obama has spoken and it is up to us to listen or be left behind.
A
nd why not? For close to 24 hours, Ghana was the cynosure of all eyes.
The international media descended on her and the world’s attention was instantly on Ghana, all because the man called Barack Obama was around.
The US President has come and gone, but his brief visit has not only left sweet lasting memories on the minds of Ghanaians, it has also favourably reinforced Ghana’s position as a country worth dealing with.
This, Ghanaians will forever remain grateful.
In assessing President Obama’s visit to Ghana, The Ghanaian Times thinks his thought-provoking speech to Parliament on Saturday cannot escape scrutiny.
We see the speech as a major US policy statement on Africa, which should prick the conscience of African leaders and those who aspire to lead their respective countries.
The President indeed spoke for the majority of Africans, when he said, history was on the side of brave Africans and not with those who use coups or change constitutions to stay in power.
Africa he said does not need strongmen, it needs strong institutions.
The bane of Africa’s development has been repressive regimes and corrupt leaders.
The history of Africa is replete with leaders who, instead of creating wealth for their people, tend to exploit the economy to enrich themselves.
Those leaders do not believe in the fact that, in this 21st century, capable, reliable and transparent institutions are the key to success, the very things that give life to democracy.
Their actions, over the years, have led to many countries being plagued by too many problems that condemn their people to perpetual poverty.
The Times is of the strong conviction, that until African leaders, see themselves as agents of peace, progress and prosperity for their people, the continent will remain as it is - lack of development and growth.
To us Obama has spoken and it is up to us to listen or be left behind.
