George Ayittey: Cheetahs vs. Hippos for Africa's Future

"This grab-you-by-the-throat speech by Ghanaian economist George Ayittey unleashes an almost breathtaking torrent of controlled anger toward corrupt leaders and the complacency that allows them to thrive. These "Hippos" (lazy, slow, ornery) have ruined postcolonial Africa, he says. Why, then, does he remain optimistic? Because of the young, agile "Cheetah Generation," a "new breed of Africans" taking their futures into their own hands."

Comments

[Nga Adolph]

It is my believe that the "Cheetah Generation" which George Ayittey evokes here is the crucible for 21st century Africa.Africa has had enough of the failures of political methuselahs who have hijacked the political,economic and social lifewire of the continent even after they have outlived their usefulness.Take a leaf from Cameroon where President Paul Biya,a useless septogenarian who has hit his political menopause after 25 years of plundering the economy for the benefit of his Beti and Bulu tribesmen,still intends to remain in power ad infinitum even after he and his stooges are totally bereft of new ideas and clueless about how to remove the country from the political,economic and social impasse the country has been steeped into for the last quarter of a century.
But I think the 'Cheetah Generation'should first of all search for an independence of vision.Innovative visions that are rooted in the economic and social upliftment of the people.Africa is wary of the senile political and economic lullaby which is not in harmony with progress.They would have to be part of a broad based oraganisation with ripples into a strategic continental network.
The "Cheetah Generation" should acquire the knowledge and skills offered by the technological revolution that has propelled countries like China and India to enter the club of rapidly developing countries and are today standing as a counter weight to erstwhile Europe and America.
With the much talked of an African Union government and the fallouts from NEPAD,I think the "Cheetah Generation"should have no reason to dispair because the continent is slowly but surely standing on its feet.There are rays of hope in many countries that are recovering from the scourges of conflict.Liberia,Sierra Leone,Democratic Republic of Congo,Rwanda,Gambia Mozambique etc are moving at break neck speed and embracing peace and democracy.The successes of these countries may not be enough to counter the ubiquitous negative images that the Western media have of Africa,they however represent a potential pivotal and development lodestar whose networking can leapfrog Africa's political and economic unity.
Therefore,the "Cheetah Generation" has reason to hope.

"Each generation must out of relative obscurity,discover its mission and either betray it or fulfill it"_Frantz Fanon.

Nga Adolph.
Leuven(Belgium).

[Emmanuel]

Oh My God, there are people out there who believe like i do!!!!!!!! Thanks Professor!!

[Che Sunday]

Well said Nga, but my take on the matter is, Cameroon is devoid of the Cheetah generation.Had there been an element of such a gene in our midst, a single Beti would not have been so successful in dismantling us the way Biya has done.Why has he been so succesful? Look at what is happening in the country today. He is spliting up prpovinces into sub-units for the sole purpose of increasing the numbers of his goons in parliament.Those whom are being given new statues of provincial standing go dancing in the streets, failing to realize that he is merely increasing the number of thieving asprants to join in the looting of the nation. Cameroon has become a clear example of people voting with their bellies not their brains. Were this not to be the case, how then can one explain the duality that governs anglophone Cameroon? We lament of being marginalized, but vote CPDM, albeit not overwhelmingly, but good enough to guarantee a winning majority. So, where is the cheetah inkling that should be stiring and showing restlessness now to make Biya stop and think?

[Neba Funiba]

I cited the Professor several times in the literature review section of my doctoral dissertation. He is very good--the type of firebrand that Africa needs. Bravo Doc.

[George Bamu]

Good speech from Mr. Ayittey. The only problem is, his remarks are no different from many others who make such nice bashing of Africa in front of potential donors and do nothing concrete to change the continent. I would rather prefer that Africa's detractors like Mr. Ayittey engage in a debate with other scholars on Africa and debate facts and not feed us with useless monoloques about corruption and misnanagement.