“African leaders are greedy”

  1. Posted on Wednesday 15 October 2008 - 05:10
    tamsgogo
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    Tamunobarabi Gogo Ibulubo, AfricaNews reporter in Niger Delta, Nigeria Photo: Rawlings addressing the UN in his earlier days.
    Greediness and amassing of wealth at the expense of the indigenous poor are the causes of the continent's problems, noted former president of Ghana, J.J Rawlings. He said African leaders' desire to stash money into foreign accounts has adversely affected progress especially in the Niger Delta.
    rawlings
    Rawlings was making a presentation on “Leadership for Sustainable Development in Africa” in Rivers State capital at a sustainable development summit on Monday.

    The former military dictator said in the face of the exploitation as experienced in the region, the people have reasons to be bitter. He noted that it has left them with a disrupted basic means of livelihood. He called for collaboration between the primary stakeholders in the Nigerian project with the rest of the country in development efforts for the benefit of future generations.

    The charismatic speaker remarked that he was in the region to identify with the pains poverty has brought on the people. He said to move Niger Delta forward, the people must be willing to face the reality and become real partners of development.

    “What is the meaning of growth if that growth simply results in shameful consumption and wastes by a small minority while the majority languish in poverty and deprivation? In other words, sustainable development may occur if we address the issue of equity and fairness in the distribution of global wealth and nature's endowments without substantial economic growth.”

Reactions

  1. Posted on Thursday 16 October 2008 23:10
    kpekpe
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    Choice Adams
    10 berichten
    Lid sinds October 2008

    See who is talking. Rawlings saying these or I can't fathom grammar. He came to power very lean and lanky. Poor and full of promises to the poor. But what did he do afterwards - Greed and amassed worth. Fellow Africans this man is a hypocrite. He was called the "Junior Messiah" in the 80s but failed to save his people. Read history and you would know who is rather greedy. Corruption was rife during his time as president. He should give us a break.

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