Internet Connectivity in Africa

[Asante Maroon 0]

I agree with what everyone here said and can't help but note that they always give money to "Africa". "Africa" isn't a country. Who takes accountability for how, when and where this money is spent? It seems that throwing money at a problem is pretty useless if the money never makes to to fix the problem.

I know right! I'd like to see the leaders of these african nations sit down and decide who gets what portion of the money....fight might break out.

And the saddest thing about the whole ordeal is that the little people suffer.

People come into government, make false promises and sit there, bank accounts getting bigger by the minute, trips to London, Paris, Rome, with 36 of your closest friends . Who wouldn't want a life like that?

Its sad.

One thing I noticed is that African nations are allowing people from outside the country to profit off their own lands. All of the supermarkets in Ghana which are aimed towards "foreigners" (due to the variations of product normally found in developed countries) are not owned by native Ghanaians. I can't even tell you how the workers in those stores are watched by the owners as if they may steal something. It pissed me off so badly when I was there!!! How could this be? There has to be a better way.

People of power in Africa often times take bribes and not fulfill promises made and the whole country suffers. Africa has to plan with consideration for the future and NOT just for now. A bandaid is only a temporary cover...it does not heal.

I would not be so upset if Africa did not have soooooo much potential. Africa is a beautiful nation and there is so much that can be done.

My fiance and I talk about this issue all the time and I am glad that he has made a commitment to go back to Ghana after he has settled himself in the US, to continue investments and enter into new ventures...all with the idea of being a part of Ghana's development. I encourage everyone to do the same for their home country .

Yeah so I went off in a tangent.... Sorry guys....I'm a bit passionate

[Zee Bee 61]

I feel you Asante Maroon. My plan all along has been to go back to Ghana to live. I sort of have no choice (long drawn out boring story about my family). Because of how I grew up and other influences in my life I have always identified myself as Ghanaian before American.

As for doing something to serve in terms of development and well being of the people back home....my sisters and I are already doing that .

I guess you guys can see how passionate I am about all this I am my grandfather's grand-daughter after all (don't ask unless you want another soapbox )

It just irks me that all this is in the hands of the few in power (kinda like dealing with this immigration mess ).

It is just so disheartening to see so little progress when you have seen things being done. And I have seen changes happen without all the bribery and money under the table.

Yeah, totally off topic but related to the topic though.

Edited November 14, 2007 by ZeeNusah

[Asante Maroon 0]

I feel you Asante Maroon. My plan all along has been to go back to Ghana to live. I sort of have no choice (long drawn out boring story about my family). Because of how I grew up and other influences in my life I have always identified myself as Ghanaian before American.

As for doing something to serve in terms of development and well being of the people back home....my sisters and I are already doing that .

I guess you guys can see how passionate I am about all this I am my grandfather's grand-daughter after all (don't ask unless you want another soapbox )

It just irks me that all this is in the hands of the few in power (kinda like dealing with this immigration mess ).

It is just so disheartening to see so little progress when you have seen things being done. And I have seen changes happen without all the bribery and money under the table.

Yeah, totally off topic but related to the topic though.

Well, girl....I don't mind the soapbox....send me a PM if anything !

I would totally live in Ghana...I said that on my first trip there. Me and my SO discusses this all the time. I really feel that we all can go back and do something great for Ghana, whether ir be investing or opening businesses. I think if the country sees a lot of its native people from abroad having interest in building up Ghana, they may feel pressure in doing their part.

Like I said.....Ghana has soooooo much potential!

I guess I will be seeong you in Ghana!

[Adrians Mom 0]

I feel you Asante Maroon. My plan all along has been to go back to Ghana to live. I sort of have no choice (long drawn out boring story about my family). Because of how I grew up and other influences in my life I have always identified myself as Ghanaian before American.

As for doing something to serve in terms of development and well being of the people back home....my sisters and I are already doing that .

I guess you guys can see how passionate I am about all this I am my grandfather's grand-daughter after all (don't ask unless you want another soapbox )

It just irks me that all this is in the hands of the few in power (kinda like dealing with this immigration mess ).

It is just so disheartening to see so little progress when you have seen things being done. And I have seen changes happen without all the bribery and money under the table.

Yeah, totally off topic but related to the topic though.

Well, girl....I don't mind the soapbox....send me a PM if anything !

I would totally live in Ghana...I said that on my first trip there. Me and my SO discusses this all the time. I really feel that we all can go back and do something great for Ghana, whether ir be investing or opening businesses. I think if the country sees a lot of its native people from abroad having interest in building up Ghana, they may feel pressure in doing their part.

Like I said.....Ghana has soooooo much potential!

I guess I will be seeong you in Ghana!

The progress does seem slow, but when you compare our countries' ages to age of America for instance, we're still young...Nigeria that is. I know Nigeria is only 47 years old, from when they gained full independence that is. Compare that to America that is hundreds of years old. So I think we're getting there. Not to mention how Nigeria just started treating the presidential elections with a more democratic touch this past year....off topic...lol. So it may seem slow, but our countries are getting where we want them to be. When did Ghana gain independence, if any? (I know I could google it...but you ladies probably already know ).

My SO also wants to come here (had to twist his arm), pretty much stack some money, and return back to Nigeria to help with positive contributions. I mean who wouldn't? Our countries are freakin gorgeous like Asante said! I would totally live in Abuja all day...and love it! But anyway...I think our countries are progressing...yes somewhat slowly...but give us some time. When Nigeria is hundreds of years old like America...people will be running to live there.

[Zee Bee 61]

Amen Nixz Chi BTW: Ghana gained independence March 6, 1957 (Yay for 50 years ).

I remember someone telling me that we cannot compare development in Africa to development in western countries because African countries are just so much younger than other countries and need time to transition.

I just feel like the actual needs of the people are being ignored. If they did a survey, do they really think that the average person in any African country would really want the internet? We are talking about $55 billion here. And while it is being utilized by an organization that works in telecommunications I can think of so many other useful projects for the money.

A lot of politicians are so worried with bringing the countries up to what is considered "modern" standards because they want to be able to compete with western companies but we need to take pride into what we can offer people that is unique to us. If some of these people took time to sit down and learn about their own countries (they all need a history lesson) they would see that it is not all about making it westernized and new and high tech. We have our own qualities that makes us marketable and interesting to outsiders.

The internet is not going to solve our problems. There is too much unrest and fighting going on in different countries to make it a success. How are they going to get the internet to Darfur or the Congo????? Even humanitarian workers are refusing to go to some of these places. This money is just going to make it all worse because WE KNOW that at the end of the day, so much money is going to be skimmed off the top that only a blessed few will see the fruits of this labor.

As African countries, the first thing we need to do is OWN our independence. There is no reason why Haliburton or some other craptacular company needs to come in and build our bridges, mine our gold/diamonds, grow our crops and then TAKE THEM OUT of our countries. What is the point of that? What benefit do we get? Is this what we are going to keep doing until we are depleted of all our resources? When are we going to step up and say enough is enough?

Case in point: why was Akosombo built? Not to provide electricity to Ghana The primary purpose was to provide the electrical power to process bauxite for an American company. 2/3 of the electricity produced by Akosombo was sent straight to the factory and the rest to the whole of Ghana. Can you imagine? And then what heppens when they are done? We say "Thank you so much for building this massive dam for us and providing us with electricity. We hope you had fun taking our bauxite and exporting it to your own country with no benefit to us. Please come back and do the same with our gold, diamonds, cocoa and palm nut"

If I was the Ghanaian president (I could care less about our current leader ...definitely another topic for another thread) I would say "Thank you very much for offering to wire my country for the internet but at the moment I am more concerned about poverty, health care, education and good decent roads. We just feel there are more pressing issues than whether a select few can get internet in their homes."

Man, I should write a book

[Ta Ta 1]

Sierra Leone has lost a decade of progress because of the brutal war from 1991 - 2001.

It has wonderful beaches and sights for tourism.

I hope that the new leader will do what he promised for the people.

This is such an interesting thread but unfortunately I have to get on a plane to Germany in a few hours and need to get off this computer.

Keep it going !

[Bassi and Zainab 1]

It is true that most African countries are much younger than the US, but I think that one of the main problems is that African countries are being controlled and dictated to by the "global powers that be". America didn't develop in an atmosphere where other highly developed countries were pulling strings and trying to manipulate and use every resources to their own personal advantage. Too many African leaders are making decisions that allow their resources and soveriegnty be compromised for the good of western countries. When China found itself so far behind europe and america and when Japan found itself falling behind, they did the opposite of what most african countries are doing now. They closed their doors. They closed their doors to all outside influences and cleaned up their own houses. Now they are opening back up their doors by their own choice and have so much more control. They focused on themselves and dictated their own development. Instead of looking at what their countries need African leaders are signing on to internet deals happily seeing dollar signs rather than trying to effectively lead. Uneducated citizens, lack of jobs, poor infrastructure, garbage covering the most desireable beach locations, lacking medical system.....hello, there are so many basic needs not being met for the majority of its citizenry. It takes a unique passion, love and respect for your country and your countrymen to stand up and do what's right in the face of million of dollars. Our African leaders aren't succeeding on that front at all.

[*JG* 2]

I agree with what everyone here said and can't help but note that they always give money to "Africa". "Africa" isn't a country. Who takes accountability for how, when and where this money is spent? It seems that throwing money at a problem is pretty useless if the money never makes to to fix the problem.

I know right! I'd like to see the leaders of these african nations sit down and decide who gets what portion of the money....fight might break out.

And the saddest thing about the whole ordeal is that the little people suffer.

People come into government, make false promises and sit there, bank accounts getting bigger by the minute, trips to London, Paris, Rome, with 36 of your closest friends . Who wouldn't want a life like that?

Its sad.

One thing I noticed is that African nations are allowing people from outside the country to profit off their own lands. All of the supermarkets in Ghana which are aimed towards "foreigners" (due to the variations of product normally found in developed countries) are not owned by native Ghanaians. I can't even tell you how the workers in those stores are watched by the owners as if they may steal something. It pissed me off so badly when I was there!!! How could this be? There has to be a better way.

People of power in Africa often times take bribes and not fulfill promises made and the whole country suffers. Africa has to plan with consideration for the future and NOT just for now. A bandaid is only a temporary cover...it does not heal.

I would not be so upset if Africa did not have soooooo much potential. Africa is a beautiful nation and there is so much that can be done.

My fiance and I talk about this issue all the time and I am glad that he has made a commitment to go back to Ghana after he has settled himself in the US, to continue investments and enter into new ventures...all with the idea of being a part of Ghana's development. I encourage everyone to do the same for their home country .

Yeah so I went off in a tangent.... Sorry guys....I'm a bit passionate

I just wanted to say that almost word for word what you said above, I have said, read, or heard said about Jamaica. Just gave me some deja vu here. Thanks for the insight on another country.

[Adrians Mom 0]

It is true that most African countries are much younger than the US, but I think that one of the main problems is that African countries are being controlled and dictated to by the "global powers that be". America didn't develop in an atmosphere where other highly developed countries were pulling strings and trying to manipulate and use every resources to their own personal advantage. Too many African leaders are making decisions that allow their resources and soveriegnty be compromised for the good of western countries. When China found itself so far behind europe and america and when Japan found itself falling behind, they did the opposite of what most african countries are doing now. They closed their doors. They closed their doors to all outside influences and cleaned up their own houses. Now they are opening back up their doors by their own choice and have so much more control. They focused on themselves and dictated their own development. Instead of looking at what their countries need African leaders are signing on to internet deals happily seeing dollar signs rather than trying to effectively lead. Uneducated citizens, lack of jobs, poor infrastructure, garbage covering the most desireable beach locations, lacking medical system.....hello, there are so many basic needs not being met for the majority of its citizenry. It takes a unique passion, love and respect for your country and your countrymen to stand up and do what's right in the face of million of dollars. Our African leaders aren't succeeding on that front at all.

I disagree. If some of these african countries would at least get an independent panel of politicians....people who have no ties to the country....UN...something...to head up projects like this one, corruption would decrease. Alot of the corruption issues stem from no checks and balances. President takes a billion of the top of that $55B for the internet, no one bothers to inquire what he did with it...or if the money is going where he said its going. Once they can get things like structure, checks and balance, actually enforcing laws in place....then they can move forward.

And America developed from ppl who aren't even real Americans....lol. If the native americans were running this country, it'd be a different story.

[Bassi and Zainab 1]

It is true that most African countries are much younger than the US, but I think that one of the main problems is that African countries are being controlled and dictated to by the "global powers that be". America didn't develop in an atmosphere where other highly developed countries were pulling strings and trying to manipulate and use every resources to their own personal advantage. Too many African leaders are making decisions that allow their resources and soveriegnty be compromised for the good of western countries. When China found itself so far behind europe and america and when Japan found itself falling behind, they did the opposite of what most african countries are doing now. They closed their doors. They closed their doors to all outside influences and cleaned up their own houses. Now they are opening back up their doors by their own choice and have so much more control. They focused on themselves and dictated their own development. Instead of looking at what their countries need African leaders are signing on to internet deals happily seeing dollar signs rather than trying to effectively lead. Uneducated citizens, lack of jobs, poor infrastructure, garbage covering the most desireable beach locations, lacking medical system.....hello, there are so many basic needs not being met for the majority of its citizenry. It takes a unique passion, love and respect for your country and your countrymen to stand up and do what's right in the face of million of dollars. Our African leaders aren't succeeding on that front at all.

I disagree. If some of these african countries would at least get an independent panel of politicians....people who have no ties to the country....UN...something...to head up projects like this one, corruption would decrease. Alot of the corruption issues stem from no checks and balances. President takes a billion of the top of that $55B for the internet, no one bothers to inquire what he did with it...or if the money is going where he said its going. Once they can get things like structure, checks and balance, actually enforcing laws in place....then they can move forward.

And America developed from ppl who aren't even real Americans....lol. If the native americans were running this country, it'd be a different story.

I don't know if that would truly end corruption or just change the people who profit from the corruption. But I think it's bigger than just the corruption, but the fact that an internet connectivity plan is such a big ticket policy issue when there are a lot of jobless people, hungry people, low levels of education. People want more, but don't have the resources to get more with the way the country is being run now. The basic infrastructure of the country needs to be built. People just throw trash in the street because there is no where else to throw it. The government dumps trash in the ocean because there is no where else to dump it. That very ocean should be a tourist beacon drawing people in, instead many of the beaches are like trash dumps that no tourist is going to pay to visit. Instead of an internet plan, how about a trash plan, how about land grading to deal with the annual flooding that makes the poor poorer, how about an electricity solution, how about small business development, how about decent low income housing, how about giving people the opportunity to make any income........

[Zee Bee 61]

I love this!!! There are so many underlying issues here other than internet connectivity.

African government is synonymous with corruption, pure and simple. Its a crying shame. But I also think that people have their priorities screwed up. I really wouldn't have an issue if other areas were not in dire need of attention. One of 2 things tend to happen:

(1) They completely ignore the issue

(2) They beat around the bush and make false promises.

Like the trash issue that Zainab brought up. As much as people love that plastic bags are ubiquitous in Ghana I think it is a curse. They are thrown every which way, are not biodegradable and are a place to collect water ---> mosquitoes breed -----> malaria abounds (like we need anymore of that). People use and reuse and reuse the plastic bags, serve food to-go in them(anyone ever bought cooked rice in a bag?). Not healthy. So, while it is convenient, it is not the best for us. People need to be educated about this, something the government could easily do, but it is not on their agenda.

The problem is the corruption but I think that no panel of indepenent politicians can do anything about it. With the fear of offending someone people are going to end up doing nothing but sititng on their behinds observing stuff. In this case the change needs to come within the borders of the African continent itself. I long ago lost faith in the UN in its ability to interfere in international matter. The bureaucracy of it all just means that they step in when it is too late (Rwanda).

There are so many more pressing issues other than the internet.

Edited November 15, 2007 by ZeeNusah

[Bassi and Zainab 1]

I agree about there being many more pressing issues. I read a quote in the news the other day where a Ghanaian official said throwing trash in the ocean doesn't hurt anyone because the ocean is big. I think that they often don't know how to fix many of the problems. It's overwhelming and more so when there is information out there but it's not being shared with them because the people with the information don't gain anything from helping improve the infrastructure or problems in the country. They step in too late for sure, because when it gets that bad it begins to affect them directly. That's when they bother to step in.

[Asante Maroon 0]

It is true that most African countries are much younger than the US, but I think that one of the main problems is that African countries are being controlled and dictated to by the "global powers that be". America didn't develop in an atmosphere where other highly developed countries were pulling strings and trying to manipulate and use every resources to their own personal advantage. Too many African leaders are making decisions that allow their resources and soveriegnty be compromised for the good of western countries. When China found itself so far behind europe and america and when Japan found itself falling behind, they did the opposite of what most african countries are doing now. They closed their doors. They closed their doors to all outside influences and cleaned up their own houses. Now they are opening back up their doors by their own choice and have so much more control. They focused on themselves and dictated their own development. Instead of looking at what their countries need African leaders are signing on to internet deals happily seeing dollar signs rather than trying to effectively lead. Uneducated citizens, lack of jobs, poor infrastructure, garbage covering the most desireable beach locations, lacking medical system.....hello, there are so many basic needs not being met for the majority of its citizenry. It takes a unique passion, love and respect for your country and your countrymen to stand up and do what's right in the face of million of dollars. Our African leaders aren't succeeding on that front at all.

I disagree. If some of these african countries would at least get an independent panel of politicians....people who have no ties to the country....UN...something...to head up projects like this one, corruption would decrease. Alot of the corruption issues stem from no checks and balances. President takes a billion of the top of that $55B for the internet, no one bothers to inquire what he did with it...or if the money is going where he said its going. Once they can get things like structure, checks and balance, actually enforcing laws in place....then they can move forward.

And America developed from ppl who aren't even real Americans....lol. If the native americans were running this country, it'd be a different story.

I don't know if that would truly end corruption or just change the people who profit from the corruption. But I think it's bigger than just the corruption, but the fact that an internet connectivity plan is such a big ticket policy issue when there are a lot of jobless people, hungry people, low levels of education. People want more, but don't have the resources to get more with the way the country is being run now. The basic infrastructure of the country needs to be built. People just throw trash in the street because there is no where else to throw it. The government dumps trash in the ocean because there is no where else to dump it. That very ocean should be a tourist beacon drawing people in, instead many of the beaches are like trash dumps that no tourist is going to pay to visit. Instead of an internet plan, how about a trash plan, how about land grading to deal with the annual flooding that makes the poor poorer, how about an electricity solution, how about small business development, how about decent low income housing, how about giving people the opportunity to make any income........

Amen!!!!!!!!!!

[Asante Maroon 0]

I love this!!! There are so many underlying issues here other than internet connectivity.

African government is synonymous with corruption, pure and simple. Its a crying shame. But I also think that people have their priorities screwed up. I really wouldn't have an issue if other areas were not in dire need of attention. One of 2 things tend to happen:

(1) They completely ignore the issue

(2) They beat around the bush and make false promises.

Like the trash issue that Zainab brought up. As much as people love that plastic bags are ubiquitous in Ghana I think it is a curse. They are thrown every which way, are not biodegradable and are a place to collect water ---> mosquitoes breed -----> malaria abounds (like we need anymore of that). People use and reuse and reuse the plastic bags, serve food to-go in them(anyone ever bought cooked rice in a bag?). Not healthy. So, while it is convenient, it is not the best for us. People need to be educated about this, something the government could easily do, but it is not on their agenda.

The problem is the corruption but I think that no panel of indepenent politicians can do anything about it. With the fear of offending someone people are going to end up doing nothing but sititng on their behinds observing stuff. In this case the change needs to come within the borders of the African continent itself. I long ago lost faith in the UN in its ability to interfere in international matter. The bureaucracy of it all just means that they step in when it is too late (Rwanda).

There are so many more pressing issues other than the internet.

Zee, how many time can I say that you hit the nail on the head!

The water sachet bags plague the streets of Ghana! You can hardly see the rich red dirt under those plastic bags. When you go through areas where the tro tro's are parked (a sort of depot), there is crazy littering...yet there are no trash receptacles in sight!

What's messing with me is that those plastic bags are being reused ...I never knew that!!! Almost everyone buys food from those bags....Wow!

Like you said, Zee and Zainab, There are so many things that should take priority in Africa, before focusing on internet connectivity.

Zainab, you made a great point about the beaches....

Yes Africa on a whole is filled with young countries and needs time to catch up with more developed countries, but I feel like we need to make changes that matter, changes that are future oriented as opposed to making it appear as though big changes are in affect. I mean come on, which one would you prefer...clean streets or internet service?....electricity or internet service? better roads/pathways or internet service? What about proper street addresses (workable number address on houses) and neighborhood plans?

The governments in Africa need to step it up.

[Zee Bee 61]

Asante Maroon, I absolutely love what you said

We need to get our priorities straight

For once I would love to use directions that are actual streets rather than "Turn left at the 3rd roundabout, go straight, hang a left at the Ghana flag kiosk and just past the house with the blue lights"