It's Our Time

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The basic premise of this publication is this: the development of Africa depends on each one of us, more specifically, on our state of mind. So far, development has been regarded as the business of governments and international development institutions. Decades of experience has shown, however, that the capacity of African governments is, in many cases, very limited and that no donor organization can deliver development to Africa. Read more..

Is Africa’s Economy at a Turning Point?

There is something decidedly different and new about the economic landscape of sub-Saharan Africa (Africa or the region hereafter). After stagnating for much of 45 years, economic performance in Africa is markedly improving. In recent years, for example, growth in gross domestic product (GDP) is accelerating to its strongest point at about 6 percent a year. Although improvement in aggregate output does not necessarily indicate broad economic development of the region, the current growth episode has nonetheless lasted 12 years altogether, a period that is neither trivial nor brief Read more..

Quo Vadis African Union?

On 25 May, Africa Day offered us the occasion to celebrate Pan-Africanism, take stock of what is happening in our great continent, and to ask ourselves in what direction we are going. And that, in turn, begs the question: How is the African Union (AU), under its new leadership, going to take us there? Read more..

Campaign Against Dysfunctional Behaviours

Many Ethiopians and those interested in Ethiopia have asked themselves over the years why Ethiopians cannot get along, or why Ethiopian organizations, groups, or collectives seem to not work very well. Indeed, over the past few decades, we have seen countless Ethiopian collectives of all types split apart, disbanded, abandoned, rendered ineffective, or operating inefficiently, often because of intra-group conflict—conflict among the membership—and an inability to practice effective conflict resolution.

For example, consider the state of Ethiopian Orthodox churches in the diaspora, which for various reasons happen to be the strongest voluntary organizations in the community. It is fair to say that at least half these churches have experienced serious conflict leading to break-ups. And much of this conflict is not substantive – not due to political or theological differences. A priest, during a recent sermon, remarked that nearly all the large North American cities have Ethiopian Orthodox churches. “What else do they have in common?” he asked the congregation. The answer was quick – “Feuds!”

Being an Ethiopian

A new generation of elite Ethiopians is emerging, a new hybrid of our traditions and global culture. We can be introverted, secretive and conspiratorial, hiding our qualities even from our neighbours and turning away from opportunities for advance. But Ethiopians are also globalized, multi-lingual and entrepreneurial, proud both of our traditions and our adaptability, ready to embrace the challenges of modernity.

Our resilience in the face of adversity over the course of history is an inestimable quality that cannot be abandoned, because the years ahead will certainly challenge us—in the foreseeable future, climate change and the political convulsions of our near neighbours will undoubtedly call for hard choices. Our creativity and internationalism will equally be assets as globalization continues to alter the landscape of opportunity. In educating the coming generations of young people, both sets of qualities must be fostered.Read more...

 

Edward Blyden: On the Struggle for African Liberation

During the late nineteenth century, Edward Wilmot Blyden (1832-1912) was the best known and highly respected African intellectual in the Western world. Blyden was born on August 3, 1832 in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands. His free and literate parents were of Ibo descent. In 1851, he emigrated to Liberia, which had become an independent republic only four years earlier, after the settlement of freed African American slaves.Read more...

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Mystic for Our Time

It is with great joy that I present to you Brother Ishmeal Tetteh in this premier issue of Africa Unbound. Brother Ishmael is an African and a world treasure. A truly magnificent man, he exudes grace, wisdom, and joy that can only come from years of deep spiritual practice. His teachings on peace stand to change negative energies and unhealthy thought patterns around the world. Brother Ishmael has a deep concern for the ways in which we interact with each other, and offers specific and very practical strategies on how we can all participate to bring about peace in our planet during our lifetime.

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Pulse of the Motherland

...we will show the world

That our Mother Africa is strong, vibrant and defiant

Because the pulse of nearly a billion people can never die...

- Omekongo wa Dibinga

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