The Africa I see

What comes into your mind when you hear about Africa or think of it? We will have our perceptions about this great continent; it may be positive or negative depending on where you find yourself or what you’re talking about. The history of Africa cannot always be negative or positive, it must be balanced. I am a very proud African who happens to be one of Ghana’s grandsons, one of the 53 children Africa has. I have always believed in the possibilities of my country and the continent at large but sometimes the Africa I wish to see for the future is far from reality, but I believe it’s very attainable with the current crop of youths emerging who’re poised for social change.

The more I love my country, the more I hate my government for not helping make the dreams of the youth a reality. If the youth doesn’t become today’s leaders, how can it become tomorrow’s leader in the future? If truly we are tomorrow’s leaders, what future is built for us when most youth are not employed and are risking their lives to travel overseas? Is it going to be a future where my unborn children will live to pay a debt I never benefited from? I want to see a future where my children will be proud of Ghana; not because of its past glory, or the Black Stars, or Sarkodie (Ghana’s fastest rapper, Hip Life/Hip Pop artist) but will be proud of the country’s future for their children too. They shouldn’t be only patriotic by posting or tweeting while they live comfortably overseas but they should by living here with the people.

We have heard many times about Africa rising. It may or not be true. This term is generally used by governments when they visit developed countries in search for loans and grants or when a person from the diaspora is returning. The true rising of Africa will be when the youth will be employed, will believe in the government, when the people will have better health care and education. I do see a risen Africa or Ghana. There are many people doing great things, some are Joshua Amponsem (Global warming campaigner), Kofi Yeboah (Social media strategist & sanitation) George Mansoh (Recycling campaigner) among many others I know. The time has come for the Ghanaian youth to believe in the country and fight to get the best. If we live in a difficult time, how strong shall we be in our new countries? We cannot leave and expect others to build the future we want; we must be part of the future and be the future we want. It hasn’t been easy for anyone or any country but they fought as they froze in the sun and sweated in the cold to get the country we envy.

Finally the youth of this continent must be willing and ready to vote on principles and policies, not on political, tribal or ethnical lines. When we fail to do so we should be blamed for our own woes, for our suffering from the smoke produced by the firewood we fetched ourselves. We must educate ourselves and support each other. The time where we attend cocktail parties with feeding bottles should come to an end and we must be the ones to host dinners. We mustn’t be pleased with the little while we can get more and better. We deserve better if not the best. Never be afraid to ask questions for answers and never be timid to question the answers. And remember to share the fun with others. Tell them about Yala Africa.

#Africa #Ghana #Youth #Change #Activism #Development