In Africa it seems to be all misery and nothing but problems, in the past
few months we have had the attempted assassination of the Somali President,
the invasion of Northern Somali towns by Ethiopian troops, continuing ethnic
problems is Darfur (Sudan) and more than 20 people have been killed in
political clashes in the DR Congo capital, Kinshasa, in the latest round of
elections.
To top this off, Madonna has been to Africa to adopt a child called David,
throwing Malawi into the worlds media. A group of Malawian charities sought
a court injunction to try and block the pop star Madonnas bid to adopt a
baby boy. A group of Malawian charities said that pop star Madonnas bid to
adopt a boy was illegal and sought a court injunction halting the adoption.
The charity obviously didnt have the power (money, fame?) that Madonna has
and the adopted baby arrived in UK recently to start his new and privileged
life. They have secured a temporary 18-month custody order from the Malawi
courts and hope to adopt him formally. How is adopting individual children
from overseas going to help with the bigger problem of rampant child poverty
in Malawi? Does it matter? Is this not a case of child trafficking?
Westminster Council, which covers the area where Madonna lives in the UK has
stated that they regularly received applications from residents wishing to
adopt from overseas. I dont understand - Why is this the case when there are
hundreds of child in the UK that need adopting and a home just as much as
baby David. Would baby David not be better off in his own extended family
and community? Louise Richards, from War on Want, added: “Madonna’s step to
adopt the baby is a well-meaning, but misguided act.” In the capital
Lilongwe, it was claimed that the courts had improperly waived Malawian laws
to allow Madonna and Ritchie custody because of their celebrity status. Two
months ago the pop superstar announced she was to donate three million
dollars (£1.6m) to the country through the Raising Malawi charity. May that
have had something to do with it I ask?
What ever next from this great continent?
Well…. In Rwanda they are starting to use the countrys first litter bins in
the capital Kigali. They have appeared in the centre of the city.
Ivory Coast did exceptionally well in the 2006 Soccer World Cup and there is
an increasing number of African players in the UK Premier League and
throughout Europe.
Increasing oil prices are leading to a boom in certain countries such as
Nigeria which is using some of the funds for education and other social
programmes (I wont mention recent reports that Nigerian leaders stole 380
billion dollars of oil money in the past 40 years).
Many more African countries are now opening up to attract tourists as the
weather is nearly always good and the Safaris and White Water Rafting has to
be experienced to believed!
Bono and Live Aid highlighted the problems and the beauty of Africa, while
showcasing African talent at a concert in the UK which was echoed around the
World.
African debt is decreasing in those countries that has good governments
Once you add African music, dance, food, crafts and culture you have one
amazing continent!!!
