Full Text of Barack Obama, President of the USA in Ghana

“So I do not see the countries and peoples of Africa as a world apart; I see Africa as a fundamental part of our interconnected world — as partners with America on behalf of the future that we want for all our children. That partnership must be grounded in mutual responsibility, and that is what I want to speak with you about today.

We must start from the simple premise that Africa’s future is up to Africans.”

Al-Jazeera English :: Read the full speech

Obama in Ghana: War a ‘millstone around Africa’s neck’

President Obama reached out to Africa on Saturday with a wide-ranging address praising the continent’s steady achievements, but he called its persistent violent conflicts “a millstone around Africa’s neck.”
President Obama speaks before Ghana’s Parliament on Saturday.

“Despite the progress that has been made — and there has been considerable progress in parts of Africa — we also know that much of that promise has yet to be fulfilled,” Obama said in a speech to the parliament of Ghana, a western African nation seen as a model of democracy and growth for the rest of the continent.

CNN.com, July 11 2009 :: Read More…

Why Africa Depends on Handouts : A contradictory message from Obama

I agree with Obama that governance, democracy and good policies are crucial for Africa’s renaissance. But unless America, and in particular northern countries, change their policies toward African agriculture, then the continent will always just get by, if that!

Al-Jazeera English, Money Matters :: Read more…

Barack Obama tells Africa to stop blaming colonialism for problems

President Barack Obama has told African leaders it is time to stop blaming colonialism and “Western oppression” for the continent’s manifold problems.

Ahead of a visit to Ghana at the weekend, he said: “Ultimately, I’m a big believer that Africans are responsible for Africa.

“I think part of what’s hampered advancement in Africa is that for many years we’ve made excuses about corruption or poor governance, that this was somehow the consequence of neo-colonialism, or the West has been oppressive, or racism – I’m not a big – I’m not a believer in excuses.”

London Telegraph, July 9 2009 :: Read more…
Obama in Africa: A Major Disappointment

As expected, President Obama used his twenty-four-hour trip to Ghana to send messages about his thinking and his priorities for Africa. This was a moment that progressives involved in Africa have been waiting for, hoping for some clear thinking about Africa’s many challenges and the American role in addressing them. On the basis of his interviews and speeches, they will be sorely disappointed. Once we get beneath the eloquence and style, it’s hard to point to anything in any of his remarks that couldn’t have been said, however inarticulately, by George Bush.

The Nation, July 13 2009 :: Read More…

Obama Delivers Call for Change to a Rapt Africa

CAPE COAST, Ghana — President Obama traveled in his father’s often-troubled home continent on Saturday, where he symbolized a new political era but brought a message of tough love: American aid must be matched by Africa’s responsibility for its own problems.

“We must start from the simple premise that Africa’s future is up to Africans,” Mr. Obama said in an address televised across the continent. For all its previous sins, he said, “the West is not responsible for the destruction of the Zimbabwean economy over the last decade, or wars in which children are enlisted as combatants.”

The New York Times, July 12 2009 :: Read more…

Ghana Visit Highlights Scarce Stability in Africa

Mr. Obama says he chose Ghana to “highlight” its adherence to democratic principles and institutions, ensuring the kind of stability that brings prosperity. “This isn’t just some abstract notion that we’re trying to impose on Africa,” he told AllAfrica.com. He added: “The African continent is a place of extraordinary promise as well as challenges. We’re not going to be able to fulfill those promises unless we see better governance.”

The New York Times, July 11 2009 :: Read More…

A Theme Song for Obama’s Ghana Visit : Caucus Blog

The theme song of the last stop may have been provided by a Reggae singer named Blakk Rasta, whose song, “Barack Obama,” was played constantly during an arrival breakfast in Accra, Ghana, and had a way of staying in the head long after the travelers left.

The main refrain of the song was just a lyrical rendition of the president’s name, over and over: “Barack, Barack, Barack Obama.” The rest was a proud celebration of the first African-American president — “As you keep the fire burning, black president…” — flavored with some interesting political lines.

The New York Times, July 12 :: Read More…

More than 5,000 Africans text message Obama

Over 5,000 Africans have sent text messages to US President Barack Obama ahead of his much anticipated speech in Ghana Saturday during his first visit to the continent since taking office.

Alternet, from Agence France Presse :: Read More…