I was born in Ghana, became a man in Germany and made a home in the US. However, no matter how far I go, I never forget my origins – Ghana, Africa.

Why?

Because there is a bond that pulls all Africans together and to the continent.

It is a bond forged by pain and suffering, disease and hunger, exploitation and colonialism, tribal strife and inept leaders.

This bond is not static. It waxes and wanes. It grows and sometimes looks like it’s on it’s death bed.

The bond reaches far. It reaches into the hearts of immigrants all around the world – living rooms in the US, England and Australia. It reaches Darfur. It reaches the pirates in Somalia and rival factions in the Congo.

This bond has stood the test of time because it is nurtured. It is nurtured by family and friends, love and charity, the warmth of helping one another and encouragement. We cry with each other and share the joys too.

Perhaps though, its strongest sustenance is hope. The hope of something great. The hope of rising above the impediments that liter our way. The hope that it can be better. The hope that this time, it is different.

Like a clarion call, nothing gets this bond going more than hope.

So when the Black Stars made to the round of 16 as the only African team, there was hope. The hope fed the bond and the bond grew.

For the first time in it’s 80-year history, the FIFA World Cup comes to Africa. It is really symbolic that it is being held in South Africa. By the end of the first round of games, 5 of 6 African teams are out, including the Bafana Bafana of the host nation, South Africa. The Black Stars of Ghana are left standing, alone.  That also by itself is deeply symbolic, then Ghana was the first sub-Saharan nation to win independence from colonial rule.

Before the games started, I am sure all the African teams hoped to make their countries as well as the continent proud.  And all Africans, on the continent and abroad, hoped for the same.  But only one team seems to believe it more than all the others.  The Black Stars. And with their performance so far they have engendered a lot of hope in Ghana and on the continent.

…and are feeding the bond!

I rooted for Ghana in the Word Cup match against the US not because I don’t like the country I live in now. Far from that! I love the US! It’s just that Ghana and the continent of Africa needed this win more.

Many years ago Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana’s first president said “The independence of Ghana is meaningless unless it is linked with the total liberation of Africa.” Back then (and even now), that was a bold statement and many a critic berated him for it. Nkrumah however recognized how important and symbolic the Ghanaian independence was. It had spurned hope and the hope was feeding the bond. He realized that on this continent of pain and suffering, no one country was an island. We need each other. That is why the bond is essential.

That is why the success of the Black Stars is so important.

The continent needs it.  A proof that we can measure up, if just for a few weeks. A proof that if we set our minds and spirit to it, we can achieve success. A proof that given the chance, like the prepared, we seized it. A proof that in spite of wars, disease, hunger, famine and bad leadership, we can rise above it all. The continent needs that spirit, if just for a few weeks. Then that can change  and save lives.

The US has this spirit. It permeates every aspect of life here. This nation is a “Can-Do” nation. Africa could use a dose of that.

That is why I rooted for the Black Stars.

I spent the earlier part of the day glued to the TV, watching Obama in Ghana.

To be honest, unlike my friend Kojo Anan (http://www.i-can-ghana.com), I was initially not so awed by the impending visit. However seeing him there and realizing that this is an American president who is part African does something to me and I guess most Ghanaians.

It is great for Ghana because we’ve showed the world we can do that whole democracy thing – our way.

It’s cool because Obama puts Ghana on the map.

It’s awesome because among my African friends, this is a year’s worth of bragging rights.

Most important of all, this is someone who can reprimand African leaders and get away with it.

Remember, he is one of us.

Check this out:

The ruling government in Ghana lost by 40000 votes.

It’s incredulous that a sitting African government could not find 40000 votes somewhere to match things up, but that’s where Ghana is.

And it’s imperative that the whole continent follows suit.

That is something Obama made clear in his speech. Because of who he is, he can say that without sounding condescending.

The political status anywhere on the continent is a fragile affair – all it takes is one ambitious lieutenant!

Even as we celebrate the achievements of our country, lets keep working to preserve what we’ve achieved.

…and thanks Mr President for honoring us with your vist and recognition of  whole nation.

I found this clip on youtube.com and thought it was worth sharing. It really does speak for itself:

nana

“Our habit—and we have to kick it—is to reduce this mesmerizing, entrepreneurial, dynamic continent of 53 diverse countries to a hopeless deathbed of war, disease, and corruption.” – Bono, in the July 2007 edition of Vanity Fair

And how true it is, for this is how the western media depicts the African continent. AIDS is an african epidemic even though the numbers are not that severe all through the continent. The conflict in Sudan was recently discovered by the West (it’s been going on for over 20 years) and is now fodder for movies and documentaries. Political troulble in Nigeria translates to political instability in every African country. Last time I looked, there are 53 countries in Africa with over hundred tribes and languages! And, no, I do not speak Swahili!

Given, the continent is underdeveloped and poor. Given there is disease, famine and war. However, there is also hope and ambition and success stories in the face of unbelievable hardships. I wish the western media will portray that more. I wish Vanity Fair will dedicate 20 covers to Africans who are achieving great success in spite of all the odds. It does not take much to donate a million dollars from your penthouse in NYC or London. After all, it may provide that tax break or sell more records or more movie tickets. Try setting up a million dollar company from the scratch in Ghana or Kenya or Tanzania!

I visited by parents in Ghana recently and was blown away by what is being achieved in the business world. They are shinning examples of what can be done  in spite of all the challenges of doing business in Ghana – high interest rates, corruption, apathy, a stifling bureaucracy, power outages and cheap Chinese produts. There is a general air of opportunity. Everyone is working hard. This happens when you combine a powerful media with democracy and opportunity. And such stories can be found all over the continent.

So in this post, I appeal to all fellow Africans. Lets tell our own story. Lets tell the stories of the mother who traded till all her children graduated with degrees; lets tell the story of the Comberts, of the Data Banks and of the Joy FMs. Lets show other Africans that it is possible in spite of. True, we are underdeveloped but we don’t have to stay that way. Let’s define ourselves so we do not get defined by the CNNs and New York Times of the world. Lets define ourselves so if there is an African edition of a magazine, it’s covers have Africans on them. Lets define ourselves so we are not defined by the Bonos, Madonnas and Geldorfs.

nana