I have spent a little more than two decades in Africa. I was born in Ghana, West Africa. I have always had a burden for Africa and still have. Amid all the resources we have, lies pain, depression and poverty. I remember spending nights reading several news articles in the quest of locating the origin of Africa's misery. Other times, I earnestly sought the secrets of nations that succeeded economically; United States of America, China and United Arab Emirates. After spending several weeks researching, one thing stood out to me;
the destiny of a place is determined by the few who resolve in themselves to be agents of positive change irrespective of the cost, their lives perhaps.
The future of Africa is like a ship where we are the sailors. Every thing that happens to it is our responsibility. Responsibility is something that most people unconsciously shun because of the seeming 'stress' it exerts. We all want to be free, not tied down by the chains of accountability. This what has always created that gap between the successful and the not-successful, the haves and the have-nots, the greats and the smalls. One character trait of all successful people is responsibility, especially with respect to the needs of society. It is sad that in Africa, selfishness and self-centredness seem to be on the rise. We have unconsciously imbibed this "myself-and-my-family" mindset which has locked up inside us the abilities that would have been expressed if only we thought about the needs of others all across the globe.
The thought that usually arise in many Africans is "How would I help meet the needs of others when it is difficult to meet mine?" Our thinking is our problem. Every great man starts out with a burning desire to help others. In his pursuit, he will definitely discover that he would have achieved far less had he been thinking about only himself.
Selflessness is the foundation on which greatness is built. Discover a need in the area you find yourself and meet it. As little as it may look, it will make a great difference years to come. It could be as simple as visiting some of the schools around you, and encouraging the students there not to give up irrespective of the challenges or beginning an initiative at inspires unity and patriotism in the community you reside.
This is the way we would re-write a better history for Africa for the days ahead. Never say you cannot do anything because you can. Your effort matters. I particularly like what Mother Teresa said,
If you cannot feed a hundred people, then feed just one.
I believe in Africa.
And I believe in you.
God bless!