“Yes YOU can,” Obama tells Africa

In a speech in Accra, Ghana, on the 11^th of July, US president Barack Obama challenged African to take more responsibility for their affairs. “We must start from the simple premise that Africa's future is up to Africans,” he said before continuing to relate to his audience with his own story; a story of his African grandfather, his father and the challenges they faced in the broader context of the African story.

One of the common themes coming out of Africa, especially in the politically-troubled nations is an attitude of blaming the western world for the political and economic hardships. While acknowledging the hand history has dealt on Africa, Obama challenged Africa to accept a bigger share of the blame for some of its problems, citing recent problems in Zimbabwe.

“It is easy to point fingers, and to pin the blame for these problems on others. Yes, a colonial map that made little sense bred conflict, and the West has often approached Africa as a patron, rather than a partner. But 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. In my father's life, it was partly tribalism and patronage in an independent Kenya that for a long stretch derailed his career, and we know that this kind of corruption is a daily fact of life for far too many.”

On the question of aid and cooperation, Obama had this to say. “As for America and the West, our commitment must be measured by more than just the dollars we spend. I have pledged substantial increases in our foreign assistance, which is in Africa's interest and America's. But the true sign of success is not whether we are a source of aid that helps people scrape by - it is whether we are partners in building the capacity for transformational change.” And indeed, building capacity for transformational change is Africa’s biggest challenge in the 21^st century. Harnessing technologies to achieve food security and improve health delivery, improving infrastructure and connectivity through information technology are no small challenges. “Africa doesn't need strongmen, it needs strong institutions,” Obama said.

In the final analysis, the progress of Africa will depend to a large extent on how quickly and efficiently African political systems will evolve from sloganeering dictatorships and patronage politics to real functional democracy that creates opportunities, respects human rights and celebrates talent and creativity rather than suppress it.  It will depend on young people getting more and more fed up. And so Obama’s last message was to the young people of Africa.

“You have the power to hold your leaders accountable, and to build institutions that serve the people. You can serve in your communities, and harness your energy and education to create new wealth and build new connections to the world. You can conquer disease, end conflicts, and make change from the bottom up. You can do that. Yes you can. Because in this moment, history is on the move.”