Wednesday, February 01, 2006

 
Ma Ellen, Listen to the Woes of Your People

The cries of your people can be heard through the local musicians. The musicians compose and sing the songs that depict the feelings and aspirations of the people. It will do you so much good if you listen to their music and act accordingly to your people cries. I know of many leaders who throw their musicians in prisons only for been the voice of the voiceless and go as far as banning their music from the airwaves.

One of Africa’s most politically outspoken international superstars, the late Nigerian musician Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, for a quarter century, was a thorn in the side of Nigeria's successive military rulers. His songs attacked social problems, political corruption and police brutality, and the like. As a result, he was frequently arrested, beaten so badly that for several years he was unable to play his saxophone or keyboards and jailed for extended periods. I hope, pray and trust that such treatment not be lashed out to our upcoming musicians, the likes of Butini and Sundaygar.

Folks, take the bitter with the sweet

Not all pronouncements of our president will be welcomed by the nation, but if and when the president has met with her core group and her lieutenants, the nation should give her the benefit of the doubt and welcome the pronouncement with open arms. It has been observed that the cries and concerns of the people have taken center stage since after the result of the election, when it came to naming names and dollar amount for major projects; will there be an outburst from the people when the cost for the revitalization of the water and the light is announced, along with which contractor or contractors will be responsible for the work? I just hope we can keep the term MASSES sealed in the bottle and do not let it out and spread it around because of disagreement with the executive branch and with the will and pleasure of the chief executive. By the way folks and expert of good governance and constitutionality, do all the appointees of the chief executive need to appear before congress for confirmation? I thought “the will and pleasure” of the chief executive meant something. Hmm, I stand corrected.

Africa is a Basket Case

Please prove me wrong. I really want to be wrong. Let us take a critical look at one of the leaders in Africa who was once seen as the beacon of hope for Africa by the West. He had emerged as a model of modern African leadership and had led the continent in confronting the scourge of HIV/AIDS, launching massive public educational campaigns that cut the death rate in Uganda by 25 percent. The personal physician and friend of this president decided to throw his own hat into the presidential race, a crime for the faint in heart. What was the physician's crime? His only crime was to desire the high seat of his patient through the ballot box. Trumped up charges were leveled against the good doctor, Dr. Warren Kizza Besigye Kifefe, that caused him to flee his beloved country. He realized that staying away could not solve the problem in his country; therefore, he returned home and was arrested, charged with treason and rape, and thrown into prison. This dictatorial guerrilla leader turned president, His Excellency Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, who reminds his people of the ruthless dictator Idi Amin Dada Oumee, has been at the helm of power for twenty years and has since masterminded the changing of the constitution in order for him to stay in power for life. He is the biggest caricature on the African continent. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni became President of the Republic of Uganda on January 29, 1986 after leading a five-year bush war. He went to the bush with 26 other gun totting young men and organized the National Resistance Movement and National Resistance Army (NRM/NRA) to oppose the country's first general elections in 20 years in December 1980, which brought to power Milton Obote of the Uganda People's Congress Party. During the election campaign, in which Museveni himself ran as a candidate, Museveni had warned that if the elections were rigged, he would fight Obote's regime and on February 6, 1981, he launched the guerrilla war.

The Only Hope for Africa

The way I see the state of affairs in Africa from where I sit and for saying my two cents worth; the only hope for Africa, is the homo sapiens of the female stock in the likes of Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. Africa needs more female chief executives. Every country possesses qualified female candidates that definitely can duly serve far better than their male counterparts. If more than fifty percent of the African nations were governed by the female stock, Africa would be a better off continent than it is today.


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