Kenya Dig It? President Obama Talks Africa, Chastises Politics in Late Father’s Homeland
EmailIn anticipation of his Friday trip to Ghana, his first visit as president to sub-Saharan Africa, President Obama gave an interview to AllAfrica.com in which he criticized his late father’s home country, Kenya, and explained why he’s visiting Ghana on this trip.
“Well, part of the reason is because Ghana has now undergone a couple of successful elections in which power was transferred peacefully, even a very close election,” the president said. “I think that the new president, President Mills, has shown himself committed to the rule of law, to the kinds of democratic commitments that ensure stability in a country. And I think that there is a direct correlation between governance and prosperity. Countries that are governed well, that are stable, where the leadership recognizes that they are accountable to the people and that institutions are stronger than any one person have a track record of producing results for the people. And we want to highlight that.”
The president added that “in my father’s own country of Kenya, I’m concerned about how the political parties do not seem to be moving into a permanent reconciliation that would allow the country to move forward. And Kenya is not alone in some of the problems that we’ve seen of late, post-election or pre-election.”
While there has been progress in Africa, the president said, “we’re also seeing some backsliding.”
- jpt
Sen. DeMint: GOP Race Could Go Until Convention 
Obama Avoids Questions on Contraception Rule
yeah, there is a correlation to good governance and prosperity…hint, hint…Obama, we are no longer a prosperous country. Pay attention. Our elections are corrupt. Your house is corrupt.
What a joke.
Posted by: mary | July 5, 2009, 4:35 pm 4:35 pm
good interview.
Posted by: x | July 5, 2009, 5:02 pm 5:02 pm
“good interview.”
Posted by: x | Jul 5, 2009 5:02:41 PM
Agreed. The President gives thoughtful and detailed answers, and the depth of the President’s preparation and knowledge is impressive.
And for you ‘right wing’ bad mouthers – NO TELEPROMPTER.
Good interview.
Posted by: danita | July 5, 2009, 5:55 pm 5:55 pm
It is a weak and foolish people who praise their government for what they do right, rather than keeping up their guard against corruption and encroachments of power on the public wealth. For that reason, silence is the highest public praise.
Posted by: MarkLeavenworth | July 5, 2009, 6:53 pm 6:53 pm
Obama campaigned for and raised over 1 Million Dollars for the current President of Kenya. Who tried to establish Sharia Law in a dominately Christian Country. If Obama wants to know why something is rotten in Kenya, he should look in the mirror.
Posted by: Bob | July 5, 2009, 6:57 pm 6:57 pm
I’ll stand by that any time . .. .
Posted by: danita | July 5, 2009, 7:18 pm 7:18 pm
Why does Obama think it’s his responsibility to ensure “improvements in the daily lives” of people on the continent of Africa?
Who does he think he is, anyway?
Posted by: tanarg | July 5, 2009, 7:39 pm 7:39 pm
“Why does Obama think it’s his responsibility to ensure “improvements in the daily lives” of people on the continent of Africa?”
Posted by: tanarg | Jul 5, 2009 7:39:26 PM
President Obama is talking generally about business investments in Africa when he mentions “improvement of the daily lives of people” in Africa, and good governance.
Posted by: danita | July 5, 2009, 8:22 pm 8:22 pm
Without a doubt, obam views his Irish
side as a zero.
Posted by: IR | July 5, 2009, 8:59 pm 8:59 pm
In his book/film, “Guns, Germs and Steel,” Jared Diamond, the author, is asked by a Papua New Guinea native, Yali: “Why you white men have so much cargo and we New Guineans have so little?” In Ghana, where the GDP is approximately $1,500 a year and life expectancy is below 60-years. I think President Obama should ask a similar question of the president of Ghana: Why Ghana and the most of Africa have so little cargo (quality of life commodities and goods) while being blessed with some of the world’s most precious natural resources?
Posted by: Percy | July 5, 2009, 9:26 pm 9:26 pm
“Without a doubt, obam views his Irish
side as a zero.”
Posted by: IR | Jul 5, 2009 8:59:03 PM
Huh? President Obama has spoken proudly and very often of his grandparents . . .. what’s your point?
Posted by: danita | July 5, 2009, 9:30 pm 9:30 pm
“Why (do) Ghana and the most of Africa have so little cargo (quality of life commodities and goods) while being blessed with some of the world’s most precious natural resources?”
Posted by: Percy | Jul 5, 2009 9:26:21 PM
President Obama would say he is not interested in dwelling on mistakes of the past, but rather in moving positively forward to create a better future.
I would say ‘because they were ripped off and oppressed for centuries, tribal divisions were played up by the colonialists and countries were eventually left in political turmoil, conflict and despair?’
Posted by: danita | July 5, 2009, 9:41 pm 9:41 pm
“Why Ghana and the most of Africa have so little cargo (quality of life commodities and goods) while being blessed with some of the world’s most precious natural resources?”
Well, we could start by rampant corruptions by African politicans…
Posted by: tjp612 | July 5, 2009, 9:42 pm 9:42 pm
Grandparents yes…Heritage no…
Posted by: Parallex View | July 5, 2009, 9:54 pm 9:54 pm
“In his book/film, “Guns, Germs and Steel,”"
—————-
Whose idea was that that every introductory political science course across the nation should read ‘Guns, Germs and Steel’…a bogus theory about the superiority of British colonization based on a half-cocked theory that wheat is more efficient than corn? Huh, thanks to our liberal foreign bank operations policies, the British own 90% of our academic printing presses. Gee.
Posted by: MarkLeavenworth | July 5, 2009, 9:56 pm 9:56 pm
Danita, reference your Jul 5, 2009 9:30:00 PM posting: I lived for a while in Accra and I kept asking myself why, why, why is there so much misery? I would be part of late-night debates concerning the history, politics, culture, ethnic strife, religion, etc of Gnaha and other African countries. When I left Ghana, for another African nation, I still had not received satisfying answers. To live midst so much poverty, crime, corruption, disease, mixed with so much beauty, love, compassion, creativity, warmth, and caring constantly left me wondering, which caused me to prolong my stay in Ghana. But, Danita, it has been more than fifty years since independence. If Ghana is without the amount of “cargo” of western countries, then surely it should have made major steps in that direction by now.
Posted by: Percy | July 5, 2009, 10:07 pm 10:07 pm
“Grandparents yes…Heritage no…”
Bull. President Obama speaks proudly of his heritage through his grandparents.
Posted by: danita | July 5, 2009, 10:20 pm 10:20 pm
Percy . .. .
I offered my explanation . .. and believe the damage of the things I described is still being felt and may be for another generation or more.
What’s your explanation?
Posted by: danita | July 5, 2009, 10:23 pm 10:23 pm
Bull??? How ummmm Quaint..
Posted by: Parallex View | July 5, 2009, 10:32 pm 10:32 pm
I’ll just wait awhile and see how your friends edit that before I respond.
Posted by: MarkLeavenworth | July 5, 2009, 10:57 pm 10:57 pm
danita…Just funnin with ya….
Posted by: Parallex View | July 5, 2009, 11:00 pm 11:00 pm
Mark does bring up a valid point…
Posted by: Parallex View | July 5, 2009, 11:17 pm 11:17 pm
Millions to Africa. Is that before, or
after Jackson, Sharpton et. al. get
their “cut”?
Posted by: Trajan | July 6, 2009, 2:28 am 2:28 am
I wish Mr. Obama would release a copy his “long form” birth certificate. It would be such fun to rub it in the faces of those wacky “birthers”. I wonder why he doesn’t do that.
Posted by: Terry | July 6, 2009, 6:41 am 6:41 am
Terry,
here is a 3DM copy of Obama’s birth certificate and announcement of his birth in Honolulu
Posted by: bill | July 6, 2009, 10:09 am 10:09 am
“President Obama would say he is not interested in dwelling on mistakes of the past, but rather in moving positively forward to create a better future.”
Riiiiiight…Because Obama NEVER refers to the PAST…particularly with regards to all that he has “inherited”…
Posted by: tjp612 | July 6, 2009, 10:22 am 10:22 am
“Why is Obama going to Ghana/Africa?”
Well, his popularity (and particularly support for his policies) have been in a downhill trajectory since the “stimulus” package has passed (BTW – where are the jobs?), the Russians aren’t rolling out in adulation in a manner to which The One has become accustomed, Putin is going to have him for lunch in the Kremlin, and the outcome of recent elections show Europeans moving right. So, The One is going to need a little pick-me-up and Africa is just the what the doctor ordered.
Posted by: tjp612 | July 6, 2009, 10:26 am 10:26 am
“in the agreement that will be signed today, Russia will allow the United States to transport its military personnel and equipment across Russia to support coalition forces in Afghanistan, further diversifying transportation routes for troops and equipment and saving the United States government up to $133 million annually in fuel, maintenance and other transportation costs.
“The U.S. and Russia will also establish a Joint Commission on POW/MIAs to account for personnel from World War II; the Korean War; the Vietnam War, and the Cold War, including Soviet military personnel unaccounted for in Afghanistan.”
Posted by: danita | July 6, 2009, 1:41 pm 1:41 pm
“the outcome of recent elections show Europeans moving right.”
Record low turnout and the rise of ultra-nationalist and racist parties.
Of course the right wing here cheers.
Posted by: Ryan C | July 6, 2009, 2:05 pm 2:05 pm
Boy, for a guy who’s hesitant to interfere with Iran’s internal affairs and chastised Bush for doing the same with Iraq, this guy has no problem doing the same with Honduras, Russia and Kenya!
I guess selective (albeit inept) meddling is quite OK.
Posted by: Corporate | July 7, 2009, 12:45 am 12:45 am
Hey Percy, which part of Accra did you live in? I was born and bred in Accra, i have lived here in the US and Canada and some european cities, yes, in terms of “shiny” beauties like Sky scrappers, Accra can’t compare but where did you get your “misery”? c’mon, give the whole picture, Ghana is one of the best places to live in the World, and i am not saying that with tongue in cheek but Ghanaian, we are the most hospitable people on this planet. Try some other African countries or East European countries for a try and you will see real misery.
President Obama Akwaaba(welcome in our language)
Posted by: Benjamin | July 7, 2009, 4:37 am 4:37 am
Malia, as well as her younger sister, Sasha, will have many high -profile outings with their parents while on a week-long jaunt through Russia, Italy and western Africa.
Did any of you authorize the President to take money from us so his wife and children could travel with him? Wasn’t he the one saying tha exec’s should not travel to vegas or the super bowl on the tax payers dime during an economic crisis?
WTH is he doing? Really? Do any of you have the slighted idea how much this whole around the world traveling he is doing right now is costing US not to mention how much more it is for separate security detail and the likes for his wife and kids?
Good grief this is ridiculous! Millions of jobs lost, citizens scrapping by and he is spening tax payers dollars for all of this crap so that his family can site see the world on OUR DIME! Right, his makes soooo much sense!
Posted by: kmday | July 7, 2009, 3:54 pm 3:54 pm
The better question we should really be asking is why is he meddling in Africa’s affairs? Is it because his dead beat father is/was from there? Hmmmmm…….makes one wonder why waste time and OUR MONEY to travel to a country to speak about “his father’s” Kenya.
It seems to me that we have far greater issues HERE that need to be resolved before spending hundreds-of-thousands of dollars flying over to Africa to disuss Kenya’s political affairs.
I mean seriously!
Posted by: kmday | July 7, 2009, 4:03 pm 4:03 pm
Ignorance is indeed a terrible disease.for all of u ignorant people, part of being a president is recognizing other leaders and building strong relationships and pacts with other countries and their leaders. God Bless Ghana. Obama akwaaba to the Land of Gold.
Posted by: G.GLAD | July 8, 2009, 12:01 am 12:01 am
President Obama seems to know what he is doing and talking about. I strongly believe in his vision and hope that the people of Ghana and Africa as a whole should work together with him to make this vision a reality.
Posted by: Vincent Kaspar Kpodo | July 10, 2009, 3:08 am 3:08 am
Why is there a big fuss from my fellow Americans bcoz Obama is going to Africa?
Americans we value family and just for the record Obama is half Kenyan… it may be bitter for us but thats true. US has international policy too which includes Africa. so to answer your misplaced and ignorant comments…. Visiting Africa is inorder for whatever reason he may wish… get over it.
Posted by: Linetta | July 10, 2009, 5:47 pm 5:47 pm