Vanguard (Lagos)
6 Janvier 2009
IN other climes, what Mr. John Agyekum Kufour did by leaving power after eight years would mean nothing. In Africa where leaders are in a race to overstay their welcome, Kufour has created distinctness - even hope.
[ See Article ]
Isn't it condescending to Mr. Kufour to assume that the only motivation for him to do what is right for his people is because of monetary reward. Whatever happens to just do it simply because it is the right thing to do. All this whiteman idea that is been forced down the throats of unsuspecting Africans, after all they did to overthrow a democratically elected Lumumba in favor of their favorite Mobutu, thereby condemning a young DRC into a failed state b4 it reaches puberty. What about their current vociferous attempt to punish the people of Zimbabwe for not overthrowing another popularly elected Mr. Mugabe because the Brits hates what he stands for - fighting to recover his people's land from the usurpers. How can we trust their motive anywhere else in Africa?
I think we are now seeing the fruit of the Mo Ibrahim prize (see http://www.moibrahimfoundation.org/the-prize.asp ).
By making it more attractive for African heads of state to leave office with good track records (the prize is larger than the Nobel), Mr Ibrahim has somewhat levelled the playing field, given that heas of state from other parts of the world can earn millions as after-dinner speakers, through memoirs, and suchlike.
We can look forward not only to more graceful departures in future, but also better conduct while in office. Alas the uhuru dinosaurs' track records disqualify them so they will dig in their heels to the bitter end.