In Togo, the Toyota Land Cruiser model, in the picture, has acquired the iconic status of the car of the oppressor or the regime. When people see you in that kind of car they are fearful, on their guard, either avoid interaction or wear a submissive fake broad signal meaning ´don’t hurt me’. Indeed, most […]
Category: States & Gov.
Values system collapse in my country
I don’t know the situation in other countries in Africa, but what I could witness here in my country is a complete collapse of values system. Values like honesty, integrity, accountability, professionalism, stewardship, loyalty, commitment, faithfulness, dependability, code of honor, etc. have completely disappeared in the society. From the head of state to the street […]
The collapse of family structures in my country
I lived in Europe for almost 15 years. I’ve seen first hand how the collapse of the African family has huge negative consequences on the African community there. In suburbs inhabited by immigrants from Asia, turkey, Arabs countries and subsaharian Africa, and by poor Europeans, kids from Asian families consistently succeed better at school and […]
The tyranny of silence
Some say the poor are noisy. They go live far away from noise. Some say the poor speak loudly They scold them for lack of manners Some say the poor are splashy They adorn immoderate sophistication Yes the poor are noisy A hunted prey scream when cornered A man suffering would shout A woman in […]
Theories and Banks
This was the idea. To reduce corruption, public workers should be well paid. If they are well paid, they won’t be tempted by bribery and corruption. The fear of losing well paid and secure job would logically outstrip the temptation of a quick ill gain. Following such a well thought out, World Bank backed ideology, […]
Kids success at school
It’s often that people think kids success at school depends on the quality of the schools infrastructures and the qualification of the teachers. Unfortunately, that’s a very limited view of what makes children to succeed at school. A school with basic infrastructures and moderately qualified teachers but in a suburbs with strong families, would turn […]
Natural inequality and a Case for Imperialism
Inequality in nature is obvious. Some people are genetically luckier than other. They are more handsome, more beautiful, healthier, smarter, or born in the right family, country or city. It might look unfair, make some jealous but we can’t make everyone look ugly because you are ugly. Nature seems to allocate more ressources to some […]
Poverty is Political
Poverty is political. It’s not a technical problem, nor a mental disease to be cured. The poor don’t lack electricity because electricity technology does not exist, and the know-how to bring it to them unavailable. The poor don’t lack clean water because clean water technologies do not exist, and ways to bring water to them […]
Debunking a Dangerous idea: Africa Unity
The dream of little schooled African man is to make Africa to become like Europe or America. In his little skull of colonized man, deprived of agency, mimicking the master, he supposedly fought to get independence, is seen as his future. Europe has European Union; therefore, Africa needs Africa Union. America has the United States […]
The old man and the colonial expert
When I was about 14, I witnessed something. Father took us in his countryside Peugeot 404. We used to go to farm over the weekend. That day, we made a stop at a farmers forum conducted by a government agent. He was speaking in French and a guy was translating into ewe. He was a […]