Speckhard - Knight Charitable Foundation

Candid Commentary:

Africa, the large land, rugged, pretty, ethnically and biologically diverse. Viewed in the first world with a mixture of pity, contempt and, occasionally responsibility. We suck Starbucks while millions starve, fight AIDS and desperately try to protect their ancestral home lands. What is the solution?

Africa Unchained by George B. N. Ayittey, published in 2005 by Palgrave Macmillan offers an angry attack on Africa's tragedy. The author, a native of Ghana and Professor at American University, tackles the tough subject eloquently. In vivid prose he argues for radical changes in the dark continents economies and governing structures. He seeks more local control, less centralization and, surprise, more FREEDOM. In essence, Ayittey commands Africa's elites to spread the oil, diamond and logging wealth to the masses. He goes one step further and issues a clarion call to the Westerners working and assisting Africa: help the locals, utilize better controls before UN or State Department funding is granted. Build business not armies, protect the environment not the Swiss bank accounts and make the press, banks and judiciary FREE and not managed by family lackeys and crooks.

It is a wise read, a well researched and argued read, and, ultimately, a sad read. However as Harriet Beecher Stowe and Thomas Paine capably proved, the book is a mighty sword, a sword of change and testimony. It is hoped the world heeds the call of George B. N. Ayittey.

Candid Commentary:

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