Obama in Ghana: Much Ado About Nothing

by Michelle . · 2009-07-12 17:06:00 UTC
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The verdict on Obama's much-anticipated speech in Ghana yesterday: Nice sentiment, little substance.

It wasn't a bad speech, per se. Obama began by acknowledging that "Africa's future is up to Africans," and, after paying respect to all of the trouble caused by colonialism, urged Africans to take responsibility for their own destiny:

"The West has often approached Africa as a patron or a source of resources rather than a partner. But the West is not responsible for the destruction of the Zimbabwean economy over the last decade, or wars in which children are enlisted as combatants."

He then delivered wonderful lines on democracy and human rights, highlighted the need for economic development and improvements in public health, and concluded with a broad condemnation of the continent's many conflicts.

Bravissimo. The problem is, he spoke more in broad terms and less in policy --- a speech that lends itself to head-nods and applause, but escapes commitments and accountability. And, especially being delivered on a Saturday, it will likely receive little attention in the US.

On Darfur, he issued a rather standard, and tired, line:

"When there's a genocide in Darfur or terrorists in Somalia, these are not simply African problems -- they are global security challenges, and they demand a global response."

Super. So what does that mean to you and your administration?

Former Ambassador to Ethiopia David Shinn told the Christian Science Monitor:

"It was an important speech and it's by far the most comprehensive statement he's made on Africa, but it still leaves a lot to the imagination. He didn't really give a very good picture as to what the US is going to do in the Congo, or Somalia, or Sudan."

So it's another stop on the international popularity tour, but with little indication of any change that we can believe in.

[Photo from AP: Ghanaian supporters wave U.S. and Ghana flags as U.S. President Barack Obama speaks at a departure ceremony at Kotoka International Airport in Accra, Ghana Saturday, July 11, 2009.]

Michelle . has been involved in various activist endeavors, including the Teach Against Genocide pilot campaigns.
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