Bono Op-Ed in NYT: “Rebranding Africa”
ONE co-founder Bono wrote a great a column for the New York Times today about President Obama’s historic visit to Ghana this weekend. Bono writes about the relationship between the U.S. and Africa and about how countries like Ghana, with its peaceful transition of power and growing business sector, are challenging old stereotypes about Africa.
The Times also links to our brand new “Yes, Africa Can” video about Ghana. The video, which we shot in Ghana just a few weeks ago, includes Ghanaians talking about their views of Ghana today and their excitement about President Obama’s trip.
In his column Bono writes:
No one’s leaked me a copy of the president’s speech in Ghana, but it’s pretty clear he’s going to focus not on the problems that afflict the continent but on the opportunities of an Africa on the rise. If that’s what he does, the biggest cheers will come from members of the growing African middle class, who are fed up with being patronized and hearing the song of their majestic continent in a minor key.
I’ve played that tune. I’ve talked of tragedy, of emergency. And it is an emergency when almost 2,000 children in Africa a day die of a mosquito bite; this kind of hemorrhaging of human capital is not something we can accept as normal.
But as the example of Ghana makes clear, that’s only one chord. Amid poverty and disease are opportunities for investment and growth — investment and growth that won’t eliminate overnight the need for assistance, much as we and Africans yearn for it to end, but that in time can build roads, schools and power grids and propel commerce to the point where aid is replaced by trade pacts, business deals and home-grown income.
Read Bono’s full Op-Ed on the New York Times website.
-Kathy McKiernan
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July 10, 2009 at 11:12 am
Thank you! No more pity party, please.
July 10, 2009 at 11:34 am
For me, its not a pity party. Its genuine concern for a continent who has been abused for 100′s of years by profiteering by other nations.
I want to see justice- for all residents of Africa!
July 10, 2009 at 3:07 pm
I guess we differ, because all I ever here is how miserable things are in Africa, and how ‘they’ need ‘our’ help. I think its time for a new song. How about we look at the potential of Africa and not its problems. Make African governments more accountable to their people, provide job opportunities. Teach Africa how to fish.
July 10, 2009 at 3:07 pm
*here=hear
July 10, 2009 at 4:23 pm
what a load of crap….
July 10, 2009 at 4:45 pm
All I will add to this conversation is that ONE has NEVER been about a pity party. ONE has always been an organization whose long-term focus for Africa has been the African People’s own empowerment through increased trade and sufficient levels of aid until African socieities were more stabilized in terms of their economic infrastructures including basic sanitation, education, health, nutrition and transportation/communication systems.
Those who founded ONE came out of DATA, an acronym which means Debt Aid Trade Africa in return for African governments’ Democracy Accountability Transparency Africa. ONE has always sought to portray the ingenuity, the intelligence, the courage and the nobilty of the African spirit and Continent.
I think that I might even be able to say that we, AS ONE, love the African Continent and its diverse cultures and many of us honor the fact that, underneath our skins, we are all Africans.
So let’s hope that we have found a common ground on which we all can stand, and stand proudly, for Africa’s Future.
oh yea – THANK YOU, B0N0.
That was a masterful testimony for Africa. Let’s hope that it will sow some new seeds for the Continent.
Take good care.
ONE HEART, ONE HOPE, ONE VOICE, ONE LOVE – debbie
July 11, 2009 at 4:41 pm
is the one organization know about the soka gakkai internation. sgi president daisaku ikeda has stated for years that africa will be the continent of the 21 century . in the different african countries there are members of the sgi. as for myselve i will help to make africa the continent of the 21 century along with you to respond to my teacher dr. daisaku ikeda acpectations
July 11, 2009 at 6:24 pm
You’re either whining about a problem … or working on the solution. President Barack Obama, Bono and One are all working toward a solution and I applaud all three. All of us who believe in a better, more peaceful, more humane future, have to turn a deaf ear to the whiners and just get the job done because
In the end … only kindness matters.
Annie
July 11, 2009 at 6:48 pm
Thank you mister President for telling African dictator, how to make economic and social progress for African people
July 11, 2009 at 8:26 pm
I’m in full agreement with what Obama said to African Leaders. I commend him for his boldness to say up front to African leaders to end corruption, oppression, bribery, ETC. These selfish dictators must listen to what Obama said and change their self-centered motive to filfill the interest of African people. But what we need to understand is the continent of Africa is blessed by great resources but yet untaped. It is the leaders who never give opportunity to the people. Obama’s message is that telling leaders to allow people to put into use their skills, talents and exercise freedom of democracy.
As a member of ONE, I want to really continue to put pressure on the leaders for change in their political view.
Thanks,
July 11, 2009 at 8:35 pm
um……”Re-Branding Africa?” as a lead and banner? that rubs me soo wierdly? so many sacrifices later….no regrets….so, historically, for me, in my humble, one person opinion, as a dedicated SA-divestment alum of the 80′s…..that seems so odd, and so baseline offensive word-wise….certainly we can all be more clever than that! please, don’t mind me for saying this: think about those that are “brand” new to the topic, as well as those who are somewhat aware and have some knowledge of history….”re-branding” is not a term I would expect from “ONE” when referring to Africa and it’s fine, most remarkable people and let’s remember, Africa’s people’s widely misunderstood culture, so diverse and so different than what we know here in the money grubbing, imperialistic states. i’m a supporter of ONE, who is now somewhat perplexed by virtual daily words….it’s so disheartening when those that know & love words, & how words can work lyrically to convey a strong message, instead misuse words….by choosing to take a short path….& not to carefully choose words that brign people to think and decide and love that idea…,language & the love of words should never be displaced by modern expediency that i suppose inherently uses lingo instead. Let’s choose our words carefully whenever possible. with love smiles and hopes for peace and prosperity shared….ms. mobrien “One Love…Love of our world, with faith in the goodness that defines humanity in all of us: tolerance, understanding and love.”
July 11, 2009 at 9:44 pm
Bravo to ONE for the webcast of President Obama’s speech in Ghana today.
Bravo to President Obama for shining a bright light on Africa.
ONE Love. ONE Planet. All ONE People.
July 12, 2009 at 7:11 am
Does anyone remember that former President GW Bush was one of Africa’s best supporters? I guess not. Africa will have its issues. It is up to the leaders there to fulfill its potential without breaking the backs of its people. Not treating it as though it were a lesser member will likely cause its leaders to do their job. If we support their initiatives, give them advisors, not just handouts, I believe we will see the potential. I truly believe in teaching a man to fish, because why would he if fish is regularly provided?
July 12, 2009 at 8:04 am
A law of spirit that can be turned away from but cannot be recinded is: As we see our brothers (and sisters) everywhere, we see also ourselves.
All supreme wealth is temporary. As is power over others.
Ask not for Gods blessing, fot that is forever given. Ask to see what is true for all as one without a trace of subconcious guilt. Be in full embrace of the Love that gives life to all, for that is what you are.
Forgive the mistakes of others, for you see only your own, and open the prisons of the mind.
July 12, 2009 at 9:35 am
I’m old and don’t know about these electronics; but I do want to thank Bono/ONE for making it possible for this ol’ lady to be proud on my president and my country again…ONE has done so much in the fight to end poverty/disease internationally.
July 12, 2009 at 11:06 am
I think president Obama should find another venue to speak directly to the core of Africa’s stength, the youth of Africa. African politicians have always been spoken to since the days of independence. If I’m not mistaken, it wa the youth of America that made a difference in the last election and they moved America beyond cinicism or political indifference and made history. If the president can speak directly to the youyh of Africa, young people will refuse to take arms and fight their own brothers and sisters; they will stand up against their corrupt government leaders……and indeed, they will find the guts to effect change if they identufy with Obama……..
July 12, 2009 at 11:28 am
Just so y’all know, there are many threads pertaining to Pres. Obama’s trip to Ghana on the main page of the ONE Blog which might be a more appropraite place for some of these comments.
Just an idea….but I do like the polite way that we are all voicing our ideas.
Duscussion is better than confrontation.
AS ONE, debbie
July 12, 2009 at 2:42 pm
Should it really take an American President to awaken Ghanaians (or Africans) to what is right? We have within each man the pure conciousness that represents the truth that makes man free. No one can imprison us from becoming who we are meant to be if we choose to free ourselves from all the false beliefs we have accepted. There is but one supreme ruler who governs all. We are a country of 70% Christians; what happened to the promise that the kingdom of God is within each of us.? Perhaps if we heed President Obama’s encouragement to relinquish corruption and seek a higher moral ground, we can begin to realize the incredible abundance we have been blessed with and start taking the necessary human steps to share our bounty. Africa is NOT the third child of God! We need a new view of ourselves and our beloved continent!
July 12, 2009 at 6:00 pm
Thank’s Bono for what you teachs me in those years.
Thank you for me you are an example.
laura
July 12, 2009 at 6:38 pm
Hello! It is wonderful that Obama focused on Ghana! Joy2theWorld.org is working in Ghana and we find that Ghanaians are amazing people. We focus on microloans for women living in poverty – but who have built a business out of survival. We provide them a small loan and help them to determine the best use of that loan…inventory? equipment?marketing? In many cases, this is the first time our women have been in a bank to open an account. These women are reliable and resourceful. They have paid all their loans back, then apply for the next larger loan. No collateral. Just their word.
No middle bureaucracy. Every cent goes to the women. One woman opened a pre-school with 3 children…now it has 305 students! (see these stories on our website) These women are making an impact on their local communities. We love the Ghanaian women…and all Ghanaians love their country!
Now that people in the U.S. have heard of Ghana and seen the joy, I hope they will understand the work we do there. They are the gift to us…
July 14, 2009 at 8:41 am
We see and hear from hunger, disease, heat, corruption, the kind of hope the races, the contradictions and ambiguities policies of the continent’s best-loved in the world: Africa.
If you know the ‘Africa, if you go to Africa not as tourists, then we understand that Africa is not only Ghana or Ghana is just easier to talk.
Africa calls for respect but not love and respect always, there is no respect, humility, heart and brain among the Africans themselves.
What to do to improve living conditions in Africa? There is no recipe, there is no Herry Potter Wizard Merlin or that can generate a miracle, but it certainly can be very useful as culture, education, work and readiness to change for change their policy with ‘evolving generations. If you can do so I would not believe how Obama but I hope that someone can understand this statement that Jesus Christ and o Bob Marley who wanted only to suffer: Arise and Walk! If you walk , I am walking with you!