BBC Focus on Africa Magazine

Mukoma Wa Ngugi's analysis in your April – June issue reflects the failure of modern African politicians to forge independent nations.

They have adopted the political, economic and social systems instituted by the colonials, which were not designed for the growth and development of Africans.

They have totally mismanaged and abused these systems to the detriment of their people.

There were many independent, self-sufficient and poverty-free pre-colonial African nations.

Which African politician has taken the time to do the research and planning necessary to develop and implement systems that reflect an African way of life and world-view?

Africans nations are square pegs trying to force themselves into round holes.

Delwyn Atkins, Plesantville, Trinidad and Tobago

Dubious leadership

Robert Mugabe's destruction of the once prosperous Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe, rekindles the fears of Western statesmen during the decolonisation process who questioned whether Africans were mature or prepared enough for independence and governance of their nations.

Today, it is politically incorrect for any European to touch this subject, as he will be branded a 'racist'.

While many African intellectuals and policy makers are quick to blame the 'Western nations' for the malaise on our continent, a careful reading of events in Africa point toward the ineptitude and inability of African political elites to govern their own lands.

Today, the vast majority of Zimbabweans who live in abject poverty and in fear of their lives would welcome the good old days of the so-called infamous rule of the late white Prime Minister Ian Smith.

Mugabe is not alone in destroying his once-prosperous nation.

Despite the enormous natural resources in the DR Congo, it has become an inhabitable and dangerous nation. The former well-governed European colonies of Uganda, Kenya, Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast and Rwanda have been devastated by the African elites.

The United Nations, World Bank and the African Union should work with local African electoral commissions to conduct fair and transparent elections across the continent, to thwart the criminal tendencies of undemocratic leaders like Robert Mugabe.

Kwame A Insaidoo, Ghana

Don't ignore our plight

I am a regular reader of your magazine but I am losing interest in it as you hardly ever cover anything about my country.

Cameroon is on the verge of a civil war. President Biya has modified the constitution to remain in power for life; his opponents have been arrested and detained; recent mass protests in the country have so far claimed more than 100 lives; prices of basic commodities have witnessed a sharp increase and corruption is gaining more ground. Citizens are hungry for change.

I have talked with many Cameroonians who, like myself, are beginning to lose interest in the BBC. I am convinced that a wider coverage of Cameroon by your magazine will have a positive influence, particularly during this crisis period.

Tamfu Arison, Douala, Cameroon

Missing the point

It is a shame that the appraisal of Nigeria's President Umar Musa Yar’adua in the last issue of Focus on Africa was silent on education.

I am particularly disappointed in Kabir Mato, the lecturer from the University of Abuja who wrote 'A Man Apart'.

One would expect that as a lecturer he would have at least commented on the problems in the country's educational system that has forced the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to go on repeated strike actions.

In fact, the present government met ASUU ten months ago, but has still not solved the problem.

Mato instead concentrates on how the country has grown 'healthier' under the new government, even with a comatose educational system.

Uchenna Oyali, Abuja, Nigeria

Local is best

The last edition of your magazine exposed the fact that it does not exist for the purposes of promoting 'Mother Africa'.

Your sports column did the betrayal. An article promoting European football clubs in Africa is not in the true spirit of promoting African football.

We have good clubs in Africa like Kotoko, Al Ahly, and Asec Memosa. Such clubs must be promoted. Let us assist the efforts of Fifa in promoting African football.

Lucius Gbaal, Accra, Ghana

This is a selection of letters published in the April - June 2008 edition of Focus on Africa magazine.

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