By M MahuguSome of the major obstacles of Africa's development can be overcome by change of attitude. It is estimated that 60% of Africa's population is under 25 years old. That means most Africans were born after independence and colonial influence should be fading. Yet mis-education about Africa has been so effective that most of the young Africans have either unconsciously developed a form of inferiority complex or they just like developing other nations. They join their leaders and western media in rooting against their own team. If Africans have a negative attitude towards African products and services, how do they expect foreign investors to have confidence in opportunities abound in the continent. Consider the following ten findings.
1. Given a choice between an African medical doctor and a western medical doctor a sick non-African will likely choose the western doctor. Given a choice between an African medical doctor and a western medical doctor a sick African will likely choose the western doctor too.
2. Given a choice between two similar items one made in Africa and a foreign made item a non-African will likely choose the foreign made item. Given a choice between similar items one made in Africa and a foreign made item an African will likely choose the foreign made item.
3. African elites invest money and resources in Non-African countries. Western leaders invest their money in western countries.
4. Most African teenagers are fans of non-African sports team. Western teenagers are fans of non-African teams.
5. Western media outlets try their best to portray African in a negative manner. One of the major obstacles of African attempt to attract investors and tourists is the unbalanced reporting by the western media African press portrays Africa in a negative manner even more.
6. An African will likely consider another African as civilized if he speaks a foreign language fluently. A non-African will likely consider an African as civilized if he speaks a foreign language fluently.
7. It's easier for a non-African to start a business in Africa country than an African from another African country. Consider a Ugandan and an American both trying to open similar business in Nairobi.
8. For decades Africans have produced what they do not consume and consumed what they do not produce. Raw materials are exported. Finished goods are imported.
9. African continent has 20% of the world's population but only a 2% share of world trade.
10. Trade among African countries only accounts for about 10 per cent of those countries total foreign trade.
Who is rooting for Africa? Young Africans should definitely change their attitude and use the new media to tell Africa's true story to the world. Africa needs private investments. Billions of dollars have been poured into Africa for the last 50 years by donor nations, charities and Africans living abroad. Foreign aid should be limited to disasters and other tragedies not as a primary development strategy. The fact remains no nation has ever been developed through handouts, period! The beneficially of all this will be the young Africans
Mahugu is a freelance writer and founder of [http://www.mahugu.com] an online magazine that is focused on the unique market intelligence required to tap into the potential of the emerging African middle class in and out of the Continent
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=M_Mahugu
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Replies
This articles is very bias toward Afrikan people. Short-sighted and facts are half-trues. What kind of attitude does this present? Simply ask why and how these 10 negative 1/2 trues are called anti-development rather than a systematic conditioning of afrikan people by white supremacy. Let me remind you, White people went to Afrika the put their system in place. Gave us their language , religion, education,customs and controlled us by fear, the gun. taught you were less than human and you talking about an attitude adjustment. Laughable and make no sense. After so much abuse, HOW LONG would you think for Black Afrikans to recovery their sanity. Yes, OUR SANITY, if ever. Those outside of the Afrikan continent are just as insane. What have you developed??? Of the 20 poorest countries in the world 18 are on the afrikan continent. At the rate we are multiplying , by 2025 we will have the largest population in the world. Seems to me, a lot of us don't overstand our situation or how we got in it. Thus , how can you know how to get out of it? Please, the article say, Billions of dollars pour into Africa. Please tell mi where did it go.The people that underdeveloped Africa are mainly not african. You taping into market intelligence to emerging middle class , sound like more of the same white supremacy bullshit , just with a black face. Invest in the people. Their mind and souls. Instead of white mans capitalism system . Nkrumah had the plan, use it. Then you will be truly be rooting for Afrika.
Yes, it is to do with white supremacy brainwashing. We have a lot of healing to do, that is the only way we can heal Africa and Africa can begin to fulfil its potential - for Africans! So let's get to it.
How do you heal yourself from systemic brainwashing ? How do you heal yourself from economic slavery(world bank)? What education programs are in place for the benefit of Afrikan people? How do you heal yourself from years of European miseducation? How do you promote and establish a political system that works for Afrikan people? What organizations are in place to accomplish these task? Are Blacks so damage , we've losted our will to be FREE.Most important is what active role is every Conscious Afrikan individual on the continent and outside doing to achieve these ends. Whats your connection to the continent beside talk. Or your group in the diaspora. ACTION SPEAKS LOUDER THAN WORDS. The complex situation of Afrikan people is very deep. To mi, its not a question of survival, but of existence. When we play down this fact, with bandaid remedies and pointless statements (no solutions),it does more harm than good. Know yourself means ,know the whole dam world , and what goes on in it.As much as you are willing. UNITY! Mind , body and Soul, and anything other you got.
How many people are truly free - mentally and emotionally, psychologically? In order to free ourselves, we must free our minds.
Of course, the complex situation is very deep. We need to do a lot of healing at a very deep level. And we CAN do this work.
For more about solutions, download Why We Need to Heal. Another part of our healing is learning to celebrate our greatness. Check it out: Remember Your Greatness.
What we need is a complete change of mindset. We each need to take individual, personal responsibility to contribute to our collective healing.
You have made some very interesting points and I would like to know - what are your sources?
Many other countries, including China as well as Western powers, are rushing to do business in Africa in order to take advantage of the vital resources there. I would like to see African people having more respect for what Africa has to offer, and holding it in higher regard. Unfortunately, we tend to be victims of the brainwashing we have experienced since birth.