The darkest thing about Africa it’s not the caricature image and misinformation that is all over the media or the state of the continent as we know it today. But the ignorance of Africans of who and what Africa is. For centuries constant negative media images and perceptions have misinformed Africans, corrupt their understanding of their reality and the world. This constant misinformation of the African has perpetuated a flawed notion of inferiority and little value added in the world. In the words of George Orwell, “the most effective way to destroy a people is to deny and destroy their own understanding of their history”
One of this misinformation is the use of the media even the world map, yes world map to create a visual illusion of a small intellectually, politically, and economically insignificant Africa. But is that really true? Now here are the facts: Africa has a total area space larger than all of Europe, China, and the United States of America combined. Yes, it is three times the area of China, three times the area of Europe, three times the area of United States of America. Meaning you can transplant China, Europe, and the United States, and several other countries on the African continent and they will fit neatly. Africa is 30.5 million square kilometers and a youthful population of 1.3 billion inhabitants. China is 9.6 million square kilometers and 1.4 billion inhabitants; India has a total space of 3.3 million square kilometers and 1.4 billion inhabitants.
In addition to its size, it is important to note that Africa is home to 60% of the World’s arable land (land suitable for growing crops), the continent has the largest reserves of precious metals in the World, which include: 40% of the World gold reserve, 30% of diamond reserve in the World, 95% of the platinum reserve, 80% of Rhodium (World most expensive metal) reserves and holds the largest bauxite reserves in the world, including of course Manganese, Woods, Uranium, Crude oil, and others. Yet the continent is touted as the poverty capital of the world and you see statistics depicting that this same Africa is the world’s poorest continent with a continental GDP that accounts for just 2.4% of global GDP. There is an African tale that says “Until the forest starts to tell their own story, the stories from the forest will always be in favor of the hunter”. This has been the plight of the continent, as its inhabitants and the world are continually told and exposed to a predetermined image of the continent. The sad thing is most of its inhabitants have come to believe “THE LIE”. Below is a quote from a former and well-known French president about Africa and Africans.
“We drained Africa for 4 and a half centuries. Next, we plundered its raw materials. After that, we said: they (Africans) are good for nothing. In the name of religion, we destroyed their culture and now, as we have to act with elegance, we are picking their brains with scholarships. Thereupon, we are claiming that unfortunate Africa is not in a brilliant condition and is not making elites. Having enriched on its back, we are now lecturing”.
It is hard for some Africans to believe that a former French president uttered these statements that incriminate France’s foreign policy for Africa, yet, this was truly said by Jacques Chirac. He said this in January 2001 (a year before the end of his first presidential term 1995-2002), in Yaoundé during the 21st Africa-France summit where about 30 heads of States gathered.
Today May 25th is recognized as “Africa Day”. The day is intended to celebrate and acknowledge the successes of the Organization of African Unity (OAU now the AU). From its creation on May 25, 1963, in the fight against colonialism and apartheid, as well as the progress that Africa has made while reflecting upon the common challenges that the continent faces. On May 25th, 1963, the leaders from 30 of the then 32 independent African states signed a founding charter in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Since the establishment of the OAU, a further 21 states have joined. South Africa became the latest and 53rd member on May 23rd 1994. Africa Day is intended to celebrate and acknowledge African solidarity, unity in diversity, creativity, challenges, and successes. This year the celebration is themed: “Arts, Culture and Heritage: Levers for Building the Africa we want”.
Africa’s image in the world is swamped with negativity the pervading view seen through the camera lens of the major global news networks is of a dangerous place, a place of war, corruption, poverty, endemic and repressive rule with all sort of vices. But there is another Africa, where there is much to celebrate. An Africa that is the cradle of mankind, a continent filled with fascinating age-old culture, wonderful warm friendly people, leaders, and professionals revered the world over, but above all an abundance of the most magnificent riches and beauty of nature known to man.
I believe these are our continent’s greatest assets which if properly nurtured could breathe new life into the Africa we love. This can be achieved without ignoring our continent’s problems and challenges but can even help us face these challenges head-on. It is this other rich wonderful Africa that we must present to the World, this Africa within our grasp as Africans that we must nurture and build. It is not the Africa of our dreams because it is already here with us. It is Africa that is being silenced daily by the global media, being destroyed by the actions and inaction of corrupt people in positions of authority.
Finally, in the words of Jacques Chirac a former France President “We are convinced that the die is not cast. That Africa has every advantage and every chance for success. Because, aware as we are of the challenges, we also know that everything is possible in this world where no situation is set in concrete and where the tables are constantly being turned”
Happy Africa Day Celebration!
