BY
VICTORSON AGBENSON
In the last couple of years several countries in Africa have marked 50 years of independence. Infact over 73 including Nigeria are marking their golden anniversary this year. One issue that comes to the fore in reflecting on this anniversaries of independence in the continent is the worrisome continued dependence on the West in virtually all areas many years after the walls of colonialism fell. A good example of where many African nations including Nigeria have missed it is in the area of food. It is worrisome that Africa which is supposed to be feeding the world is importing food because of the mentality that anything from the West is better. For instance, white rice is now associated with elitism, while sorghum and millet are seen as food for the poor.
So the continent ends up importing more expensive rice instead of growing our own disease and drought resistant staple food. This affects our income and our health. It also destroys local farming and further drives the continent into dependence. In the words of a Kenyan writer, Mukoma Wa Ngugi we are eating our way into hunger as we grow less and rely increasingly on genetically modified organisms and imported food. This problem seems to be in every facet of the Africa continent. Our culture is fast eroding. It is sad that it is still very much easer for us to pay for other people’s culture. Europe and American products have finished mesmerising us it is Dubai and China that has now caught our fancy and continued the colonialism Chain. It is therefore important to note that political, economic and social change requires collective action because the forces confronting the continent are mighty. It took a big fight to stop colonialism and apartheid. It would also take such to stop neo-colonialism.
Both individual actions and collective responsibilities are required in the struggle to move the black race from perpetual slavery and servitude. Governments in Africa must now genuinely set for themselves, the task of extricating the continent from the cobweb of dependence. The era of making empty promises of providing basic amenities which ordinarily should not be the issue should be over. This should give way for a more fundamental approach that would lift the continent from the bull strap of stagnation. It is commendable that some African nations such as South Africa are now producing their own cars. Why can’t others emulate this? We should outgrow the basic issues of quarrelling over electoral fraud, ethnicity and do something meaningful with our resources. The people of Africa should start thinking beyond their immediate comfort. The economics of today’s world has shown that there is no such thing as innocent purchase. Each kobo, Naira, Rand, Cedi or Kwacha will benefit somebody.
For those who do not think that this circle of dependence can be broken, let them compare what we had on our Radio and Television in the 70s and 80s with what we have now. The influence of foreign music, films and comedy have been drastically reduced in our electronic media as our products are now competing favourably due to the development of our music and arts. Whether one believes it or not, Nigeria’s NollyWood is a revolution of a sort. The outburst of comedy arts like Alibaba, I go die, Basket Mouth, Klint the Drunk and many others have driven the likes of Mr Spenser; from our TV. African writers have also told the world that they have what it takes. The Wole Soyinkas, the Ayi Kwe Ama’s, the Ngugi Wa Thiongos, Buchi Emechetas, .J. P Clarks and many others have stunned the world with their writings. We can certainly expand these frontiers. This would require massive investment in mechanised farming; agro allied businesses, Iron and steel as well as many other manufacturing and other industrial concerns.
The average African business man is content in building houses and giving them out at exorbitant rates or schools which are very expensive. It is now time to look towards the establishment of factories for making soap, cream, plastics and other endeavours that would provide large scale employment. Let us start patronising what we produce. The more we consume our culture, the more we will produce and have a sense of national identity. In today’s world, Africa must produce if she must not perish.
Source: recorded live from FRCN daily commentary
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