Michael Jackson and Bob Marley forever: What lessons for us?

The demised of the greatest pop icon, Michael Jackson, on Thursday June 25 certainly sent shock waves across the globe. This was because Michael was not only a master of all the arts of pop and music as a whole, but his music transcended souls, generations, and races.

His music was far beyond contemporary music, which is merely the clashing of cymbals, drums and other instruments to produce some rhythm and melody. Michael‘s, was more of the combination of the soul searching rhythm with deep rooted meaning attached to every word he uttered.

With 754 million copies of various albums sold to his credit, and gathering the largest ever number of participation in a musical concert, Michael Jackson was certainly phenomenal.

His music was the work of reflection; brainstorming and it touched the hearts of men, women, the good, the bad and the ugly as well as, politicians, civilians and military men. He revolutionalised video clips and gave a new meaning to music.

Michael Jackson was a man whose music was greatly loved by people cut across all races, cultures and countries but again, who was also detested by a few cut across all races and cultures too.

His music united races.

Without delving into the negations, Michael was deeply admired by music lovers but regarded as a betrayal by his fellow Africans, some of whom considered him as man who hated his own colour and whose repeated plastic surgery, finally got rid of him.

Michael did not die of skin cancer; he died of a heart attack as the family spoke man and elder brother Jermaine Jackson announced.

However, some argue that if Michael had not changed his colour, he might not have had the successes he enjoyed.

Despite the change, horrible and cooked up charges were brought against him to ruined him at all cost.

Some argue that his detractors actually succeeded because, inasmuch as Michael enjoyed the highest glory that have ever been enjoyed by any human on the planet earth, he also witnessed the worst moments which have ever been witnessed by any star.

The several lawsuits, divorces and blackmail, which though common with artists, were kind of exaggerated for Michael Jackson.

Nevertheless, the lesson to learn from Michael is that his music brought people together irrespective of race, culture or religion. People celebrated and worked together with Michael.

As far as music of all genres is concerned, Michael Jackson and Robert Nesta Marley aka Bob Marley remain the best artists who have ever lived.

The shoes of these two great music icons will hardly ever be worn by any artist of this generation and beyond. Michael with his best voice ever died at 50, while Bob Marley died at 36.

At these ages, only Jesus Christ who reportedly died at 33, has moved the world so much but it acceptance may not be unanimous given that Jesus is limited to Christians.

Michael’s legacy remains his formidable dancing skills, his lyrics and his personality. He was and an incredible and an extraordinary entertainer.

All these certainly overcome the controversies and the turmoil Michael either forced himself into or was forced into by his detractors. Michael and Bob have died but they will never die.

Before Michael died, he had converted to Islam.

All these, because of the certainly harsh political and witch-hunting Christian west tradition on people of his descent as has been with other artists, sportsmen, activists etc. However, Michael still had huge fans from the very Christians West who gave him unflinching support still.

European Africans, Asian Africans, and native Africans must work together

UNITY AND HARMONY ACROSS RACES NEEDED IN AFRICA

A lot has been written and said about the emancipation of Africa and making sure that its resources are used to develop the continent first. Many have been urged to join the fight but there are some groups, which have hardly ever been evoked.

Who ever told you that the scramble for Africa ended in the 1880s? No. It continues up till date with China, some European countries, American firms and some “international” bodies piloted by various imperialist lobby groups vying for direct or indirect control of the political and economic system of various countries within the subcontinent.

Their successes from one stage to another, under the coordination of the neo colonial and terrible regimes we have in most of African have caused us harm and the harm is killing too many people.

Before and during colonisation, several people from other parts of the world came to Africa. Some opted to remain there for good, either to live the peaceful life Africa experienced at the time, enjoy the natural environments or simply and worst still, act as relay to the continues oppression which Africa has suffered till date.

These people include European Africans, Chinese Africans, American African, and Indian Africans. While some have deemed it necessary to bury the colonial-imposed superiority complex and work for the development of Africa, a lot more still think they are in Africa to control and dominate.

These people must understand that they owe a serious responsibility, which is working for the emancipation and subsequent development of this continent which has given them everything for almost nothing but insults. Native Africans themselves must understand that the latter group is in Africa to stay and they must consider them as brothers in the same house.

The cat and mouse relationship or the seemingly Jewish/Palestinian relationship must give way to meaningful dialogue and understanding for us to work as a force.

During a chat with a Norwegian friend, she told me of this wonderful South African newspaper called The Mail and Guardian”.

I asked her how wonderful is the paper and whether her judgement was based on its content, the financial prowess or the ability to update stories as they occur? She just said the paper is very nice.

I have never limited my measurement of any strong media organ only on its ability to let the story out immediately or first. What they tell, how they tell and why, is very important.

After a close look at the online edition of the newspaper and equally reading the comments posted underneath articles, one is tempted to draw a conclusion that South Africa remains terribly racially divided, with some people thinking that they are there to dominate by all possible means and others feeling that South Africa belongs only to them naturally.

This applies to countries like Mozambique, Angola, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Cote D ‘Ivoire etc. It is high time; European-Africans, Asian-Africans, American-Africans and native Africans unite for the cause of this forsaken continent.

Most native Africans do not have a second home across the Atlantic or over the Mediterranean unlike the latter. However, European African, American Africans, Asian Africans most often can leave to their “other home” at any time they want, reason why some argue that they have to make sure that the interest of their second home are well protected.

Most nations, which turn around to preach democracy, freedom and human rights, are the very nations supporting killers and dictators, looting peoples’ resources. Nobody is there to stand for Africa as people stood for Israel despite the fact that Africa has suffered the highest mass killings and torture in history

Nevertheless, what am driving home is that we Africans (of all colours and various descents) must have to reunite just as the Jews did and are a strong nation today.

I understand international bodies that adequately supported the Jews, may not be willing to support Africa as such. Africa does not need doubtful pharmaceutical supplies in the names of vaccines and drugs; Africa does not need any aide or call it financial assistance.

However, fellow Africans irrespective of colour, it is high time we unite and cooperate from our various angles in the globe and build a strong continent beginning with our various countries.

I may not want to start now talking of a United States of Africa, but it is important we start building our countries first. The terrible imbalances and segregation within our continent cannot be allowed to continue. If they do, we are preparing a time bomb which when it explodes, we risk loosing everything even those who had grabbed everything for themselves.

There is totally no justification whatsoever that a continent endowed with resources remains the least developed. There is no justification that the Niger Delta, which is the oil wealth in Nigeria, remains one of the least developed in that country. Africans (of all colours) already have the needed expertise.

From my little experience and research, in most cases, so-called expatriates have very little or nothing to offer. People must not be given high salaries based on their colour, but on what to do.

It again becomes disturbing that when people are deprived for so long, they resolve to other means to achieve what they ought to have.

These means are often unconventional and this is what most media will hang on and relay rather than portraying the roots causes of any event, which in my case is the news behind the news.

The group of person mention in the countries above may not be in all countries like my country Cameroon and the entire Central African sub region.

However, the suffocating and poverty aggravating Breton woods policies that have landed Cameroon and many countries in the abyss have virtually tranferred the management of the country’s economy to the hands of people who have no interest in the county other than use Cameroon and Africa as transit airport for wealth. These are trends which we must reverse with time and soon. A Revolution needed. In addition, if so what type?

African rulers, local medical researchers and western hospitals

One of the biggest problem that has plagued the smooth take off of African countries is the deliberate refusal of the colonial administrators we have in most of Africa called presidents, to support local initiatives.

Initiatives in the field of medical research, engineering, agriculture, finances etc have been neglected in favour of dependence on the west, exploitative multinationals and financial institutions etc. The issue here is not a broad base focus on all of the above, but, on health and research.

I have really been contemplating why African rulers have refused to construct equipped, train and maintain medical personnel and hospitals that can take adequate care of their citizens.

Repeatedly, we hear of this or that African head of state (ruler) who has flown to Europe for medical treatment or has died in a European hospital like the recent case of Omar Bongo. I will not cite any further particular ruler because there is virtually no African ruler and his family who do not constantly do their medical consultations in renowned and well-equipped hospitals over the Mediterranean and across the Atlantic.

How many Africans have the needed resources to get visas, air tickets and pay bills in these costly but well organised health structures in the West?

The money embezzled by late dictators Sani Abacha of Nigeria, Mobutu of Congo Kinshasa, Omar Bono of Gabon, etc is enough to build, equipped some of the best hospitals, and train the personnel for their various countries.

Without any statistics on the wealth of Paul Biya of Cameroon (whom his former close collaborator, Abel Eyinga, also claim is a rich man , Le Germinal No 001 August-September , 2008), another Biya’s closest aide now in prison, Titus Edzoa, had also even claimed Biya is the richest Cameroonian.) , the money embezzled by his close collaborators is enough to transform the health sector in Cameroon.

Imagine an individual embezzling CFA 52 billion (about $100m) like the case of one of Biya’s diehard supporter Gerald Emmanuel Ondo Ndong among others.

It is alleged that President Barack Obama of USA, recently banned some Cameroonian top government officials from sojourn in the US because of their unusually huge bank accounts in the country, which contrast with the economic climate in Cameroon.

That is a wonderful move, but, Cameroonians wish to see eloquent President Obama go further and send back the funds to Cameroon and even release the names including that of the highest ranked and commander in chief of the embezzlers in Cameroon.

By implication, the embezzlers would not have access to the funds, which lie in American banks and would be serving the American economy. It may be a herculean task for them to have access to the funds again.

The very good intentions of President Obama, would have been translated into better actions by his government calling on the embezzlers to justify their wealth within a specific period without which the funds are sent back to Cameroon.

We need the funds to revamp our health services.

The alleged huge bank accounts and illicit real estates of people like the Obiang Nguema of Equatorial Guinea, Sassou Nguessou of Congo Brazzaville, Idriss Derby of Chad, the terrifying looting in some oil rich states in Nigeria like Bayelsa, and so many others is enough to construct, equip and train the best medical personnel for their various countries.

Researching for an AIDS Vaccine

Ever since the discovery of HIV the virus that causes AIDS, African researchers have been working hard to get a cure or vaccine against the virus.

However, from every indication, African rulers would not accept any vaccine, which is not from the west.

Cameroon celebrated researcher Professor Victor Anoma Ngu says he has made advanced research into getting a vaccine for the disease. Some claims he even cures the disease, if discovered at an earlier stage.

On the contrary, other researchers who often talk on political lines rather than research always want to rebuff the claims of Professor Anoma NGU just because the latter has made it clear that the Cameroon government has not supported him in the research. He also at one moment claimed that the some unscrupulous American have stolen part of his research.

Yet those (Drs) who criticise Professor Anoma NGU have not been able to show their own research on the issue. This does not mean they should not criticise because, criticism is part of building a healthy environment.

African traditional practitioners should not be neglected. Inasmuch as there may be charlatans, there are genuine traditional researchers. Others like Maurice Ambeno, have continuously challenged government to investigate their research on AIDS but nothing has been done about it.

The government keeps waiting for the day BBC, CNN, VOA, France 24 etc would announce that a vaccine has been discovered in one of western laboratories. This day may hardly ever come.

It is no doubt that that the AIDS business has “fabulously” enriched the western fabricators of the antiretroviral drugs as well some western and African pseudo NGOs said to be working in the fight against the disease.

It is high time true African leaders support local research and develop confidence in their own people and their talents.

From Cameron through, the Congos, Mozambique, Kenya, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, etc there is the urgent need for our leaders to construct and equipped our hospitals, trained the needed personnel and make sure that no stone is unturned to support local medical researchers.

For late Omar Bongo to have said “France without Africa is like a car without petrol and Africa without France is like a car without a driver” was just a testimony of how some of these rulers had been colonised, brainwashed and could not believe in themselves and in any thing their compatriots could do.

Omar Bongo’s dies; the succession race: quiet economic, and political terrorism

The death of the 73-year president of Gabon Omar Bongo Ondimba may be a surprise to some but many had already perceived this among which is Gabon’s influential colonial power France.

As reported in one of my earlier post relaying some information from BBC, in January this year, France flew in 300 paratroopers to the oil rich country as Bongo’s health deteriorated.

The flying /shipping of troops to Gabon where France equally has a military base is primarily to so-called protect French business interest and citizens in that country.

It is feared that succession disorder may occur following the death of the “patriarch” who had ruled Gabon with an iron fist for 41 years with the full support of France. Remember Bongo’s was himself designated by France’s Charles de Gaulle in 1967.

France must note that they must not support dissident groups, or continuously back the current Gabonese aristocracy.

It is also feared that the colonial power may either support the current repressive ruling class so as to continue having an influence in Gabon’s’ military, political and economic life or again, support dissident groups so as to cause chaos and then come in as peace keeping forces to continue “protecting” their economic interests or out rightly benefiting from the chaos.

Economic and political terrorism of African countries must stop. If France wants to “help” Gabon they should not in any way decide or influence on who would be the next leader. They should help the country and its people choose it leader or respect its constitution by not interfering in anyway whatsoever.

This is how most of Africa has been quietly economically terrorise and it resources looted to electrify, build and decorate houses and streets across the Atlantic when foreign powers directly or indirectly have influence on the various countries.

The death of rulers like Mobutu, Bongo (many more still alive) etc ought to bring but blessings to the nation which will be expected to freely choose its leader(s). However, since most of such leaders before dying have established a complicated set of deals with colonialist or imperialists and the ruling class, take off is often too hard. Often, leadership is a continuous relay of the colonial system.

It is time for Gabonese to cease this opportunity and make sure that in next political consultations they put in the leader (s) they want. Those who will be build an economically prosperous and technologically advance nation. Those who will redistribute its wealth to all citizens.

A repeat of the Togo’s scenario where late president Gnassingbé Eyadéma was replaced by his son Faure Eyadema and supported by most western countries against the wishes of the majority of Togolese and civil society organizations would be a bad example. Bongo’s son is the current defence minister and his daughter, cabinet chief of staff.

With a population of 1.5 million, Gabon has one of Africa’s highest per capital income due to it vast oil wealth. However, the majority of the population live in abject poverty. The ruling class controls the wealth most of which is embezzled and starched in western banks in countries like France, Switzerland etc.

These countries, which preach virtue, receive the ill-gotten wealth often without even verifying their real sources and in total disregard of basic banking and moral principles.

In France Bongo, himself is paradoxically under investigation by the judicial system of a country that has supported him for decades.

The litigations against Bongo may as well just be smokescreen and part of a well-calculated strategy for the host country to own the wealth since Bongo’s descendant may go through hell trying to justify the huge bank accounts and real estates ownership. Authority forgets a dying king

Stop economic and political terrorism of and in Africa.

The million-dollar question: Did president Omar Bongo actually die of Cancer from which he was supposedly suffering? The Gabonese government said he died of a heart attack, Monday june 9. His wife, Lucy-Edith earlier died in March 2009.

Governance and accountability: The private and public sector, Punishing embezzlers and thieves in Cameroon

Governance and accountability: The private and public sector,

Punishing embezzlers and thieves in Cameroon

Many Cameroonians and bloggers have been pondering on what measures can really be put in place to reduce the alarming rate of bribery, corruption, impunity and inertia that characterises the public and private sector in Cameroon.

In Cameroon, virtually all services in the public sector are paid for, whereas it is clearly stated that the public service is free of charge. When we talk of payment, we mean additional sums of money on top the original amount paid to government employees ranging from the forces of law and order, customs, tax collectors, teachers, administrators etc.

The private sector is not different because Cameroon seems to be the only country where investors treat employees and consumers with all impunity inasmuch as they are in accordance with the ruling status quo or pay allegiance openly or behind close doors to some of the aristocrats ruling the country. Service delivery to them is not a priority. What is more important is extorting Cameroonians.

From energy producing companies, to communication, oil exploration, civil engineering, security companies, etc there is virtually no exception.

All these difficulties and hurdles have aggravated poverty that has again, been compounded by laziness and the lack of creative thinking by a greater part of the population consumed by beer.

The result is that many Cameroonians then want to buy their way, thus the payment of bribes. One of the things, which have promoted this, is the alarming rate of corruption and embezzlement of state funds which has made it virtually impossible for national resources and state wealth be used to develop the country for the benefit of all. The wealth is stolen on daily basis by civil servants who strangely are among the richest Cameroonians judging from the ownership of automobiles and real estates, some of whom have open banks etc. Some of them include custom officers, tax collectors, administrative staff (ministers, governors, Sectary Generals, Inspector General, Delegates, General Managers etc) and administrative assistants.

An average Cameroonians has never owned FCFA 100,000 about US$150 at a blow. Nevertheless, in the same country you read several founded and unfounded press stories of civil servants who have embezzled billions or several millions of dollars on a daily basis. What is disturbing is these stories are hardly ever basis to investigate the allegations; instead, journalists are sanctioned or just ignored. Some of the stories may not be very true, but most have elements of truth.

The private sector is no exception as stories of private sector companies who have pocketed billions for no job done or for conniving with government officials to do bad jobs abound. Allegations of companies paying bride to government officials to block the arrival of potential competitors are also there.

It is a paradox that a Cameroonian who has never owned CFA25000francs (USD50) would laugh and tell you that the hundreds of millions embezzled by state functionaries is nothing. This is because he has been so acquainted to hearing and witnessing cases in which civil servants and those Para-public enterprises have embezzled over billions with all impunity.

What can be done?

If the Cameroon government could successfully in the next 10 to 20 years and further, make sure that all those who enter public service do so on merit, this will imply that in the near future, there would have kind of cleaned the public service.

In that case, the number of those who bought their places would be reduced and certainly, the number of those who want to extort money from citizens will certainly be reduced to the lowest level coupled with the implementation of the following sanctions concerning stealing, embezzlement and bribery and corruption.

1) Since average Cameroonians have hardly ever owned Fcfa 100,000 of his/her own at the blow, I suggest that punishment for theft and embezzlement be broken down as such

Between one day and six months and repayment of the amount of money stolen including other charges for those who steal or embezzle between 5 francs and 13000.

One year imprisonment and a repayment of equivalent amount of money embezzled/stolen and other charges for those who steal between 14000 francs and 25 000.

Two years imprisonment and payment of the sum stolen with interest and other charges for those who steal between 25 and 50 thousands.

Three years imprisonment and repayment of the stolen sum including interest and other charges for those who steal between 50 and 100 thousand.

5 years imprisonment for those who steal between 100 thousands and 500,000 including repayment of money stolen and other charges.

10 years imprisonment and the repayment of money stolen, interest and other charges for those who steal between 500 thousand and 1 million.

10 years for every one million stolen and repayment of money stolen, interest and other charges for those who steal any amount more than a million francs.

Even death people who have served in government office should be investigated because wealth belonging to a deceased whose next of kin or descendants can’t justify the source of the wealth should be seized. This is because Cameroonian have continuously but helpless watched children of “celebrated embezzlers” who are now death, enjoy the stolen wealth.

Companies who poorly execute contracts should be considered as thieves and embezzlers because, they pocket the rest of the money, which would have been used to adequately, execute such contracts

All banking/financial sectors especially those that send money out of the country must be obliged with providing a monthly report of who sent what, when and how much, to which country, bank/person/financial institution(s) abroad. Meanwhile those at the airport and other boarders must be able to detect all cash carried by passengers who must be able to prove the sources of their money.

If this is implemented effectively, then partial judges will no longer grant short jail terms for embezzlers to serve sentences and later be released to continue enjoying stolen wealth.

Cameroon Safe haven for foreign investors

Despite the fact that it is heralded here and there that it may be unsafe to invest in Cameroon and it difficult to create a business, Cameroon is actually a safe haven for hundreds of western and some local investors who have made themselves part and parcel of the governance system in the country.

These investors made fabulous sums of benefit at the detriment of the state and Cameroonians and even to some extend their employees but are well protected by the ruling aristocratic class.

These companies range from security to civil engineering, oil exploration, communication, transportation, pharmaceutical, insurance, and finance among several companies etc.On the other hand, those who want to operate, as businesses should, are forced out.

Publishing of monthly results for private and public sector

Some compnaies may be doing this . But the Cameroon government should again oblige all companies, registered non governmental organisations and charities operating in the country to publish details of all their finances and operation on a monthly basis and document them on a yearly basis. These include number of workers, expenses on workers, social responsibilities, details of income and expenditure, other projects, profits etc.

Government ministries, councils and all government agencies should publish on a monthly basis details of all income and expenditure including mission allowances, salaries, and even the purchase of a mere pencil.

Such publications should not only be left for a special committee to scrutinise, but members of the public should have access to such documents and be in a position to question any company/government agency and even drag them to court if he/she can prove that his/her actions are for the interest of Cameroonians. He should also be able to prove that there have been some shady deals in the accused transactions.

Recovering of taxes among petty business traders should not only be meticulously carried but the proceeds and further expenditure clearly published for Cameroonians to see.

Civil engineering companies, which terribly execute projects most of which get bad before their usual expiring date, must be held accountable

Even projects said to been funded by donors but terribly executed by companies from donor countries leaving Cameroon with the debt to pay, must not be spared from such scrutiny.

In fact, both in the private and pubic sector, there should be nothing done in the dark

The study of these suggestions, adopting, modifying, adding, and dropping others and above all, implementing them strictly will save Cameroon from collapse.

Privatisation

Inasmuch as it can be good, all privatisation deals should be revisited and those, which were not clearly and cleanly negotiated terminated/renegotiated and the previous negotiators, brought to book.

Government should make it impossible for government ministers, MPs, Mayors and other senior officials who own private companies to be awarded government contracts unless direct management of such companies is totally in the hands of an independent group.