Francis,have you ever listened to 'Sweet African History' by Poncho,(Samson Quain)formerly of Ghana Broadcasting Corporation?The album is titled '2nd Adventure'.As a matter of fact you should listen to the whole album,but the ... read full comment
Francis,have you ever listened to 'Sweet African History' by Poncho,(Samson Quain)formerly of Ghana Broadcasting Corporation?The album is titled '2nd Adventure'.As a matter of fact you should listen to the whole album,but the 'Sweet African History' song puts things in a much deeper and more transcendent perspective of what you're saying here.The song is dedicated to Dr. Ahmet Maulana who happens not to only be an Egyptologist,but also whom one could describe as "pre-ancient historian".It is a bit surprising that you've never mentioned his name in your articles so far. Do check out the song, still.
francis kwarteng 10 years ago
KB,
I knew Samson Quain personally as a young boy.
In fact, we had a recording studio in Dansoman Estate, Sahara, and organized shows with Quain's brother who used to teach at Ebenezer Secondary School, Last Stop, Dans ... read full comment
KB,
I knew Samson Quain personally as a young boy.
In fact, we had a recording studio in Dansoman Estate, Sahara, and organized shows with Quain's brother who used to teach at Ebenezer Secondary School, Last Stop, Dansoman.
In fact, if you have his (Quain's) contact info, ask him about his brother and then let him tell you about Price, my brother, the one who owned the recording studio. The studio was called "Prnce Muzic Cartel."
Actually, I didn't know it at first when you mentioned the song "Sweet African History" to me. I am a music man, KB.
Is this not the same song which became popular on New York radios in the 90s. I remember he got many invititations by Black radio stationsto come to America?
Also, if I remember well, doesn't this song say something to the effect that European culture (or song) runs away and hide under table(s) when African culture (or song) is coming?
The song has plain or flat or raw rhythm with a few scattered syncopations. The shallow cries of drums seem to define it. In fact, the song's lyrical tonality completely takes over the rhythm. Am I right?
You know, Poncho is one of those conscious guys I respect a lot.
Let me know if I am talking about a different song of his.
Thanks.
francis kwarteng 10 years ago
KB,
My brother's name is Prince, not Price.
The studio was called "Prince Muzic Cartel."
Thanks.
KB,
My brother's name is Prince, not Price.
The studio was called "Prince Muzic Cartel."
Thanks.
francis kwarteng 10 years ago
KB,
Thanks for the info.
I shall see what to do with Dr. Ahmet Maulana. As you know, Egyptologist is one of my interests.
I shall have to do one essay on Egyptology and how it treats ancient Egyptian culture, histor ... read full comment
KB,
Thanks for the info.
I shall see what to do with Dr. Ahmet Maulana. As you know, Egyptologist is one of my interests.
I shall have to do one essay on Egyptology and how it treats ancient Egyptian culture, history, society, and how they relate to the cultures, histories, societies of present-day Africa.
Let's wait and see.
Jingo Bell 10 years ago
'THIRTY MILLION PEOPLE ARE SLAVES, HALF IN INDIA'
LONDON, Oct 17 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Some 30 million people are enslaved worldwide, trafficked into brothels, forced into manual labour, victims of debt bondage or ... read full comment
'THIRTY MILLION PEOPLE ARE SLAVES, HALF IN INDIA'
LONDON, Oct 17 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Some 30 million people are enslaved worldwide, trafficked into brothels, forced into manual labour, victims of debt bondage or even born into servitude, a global index on modern slavery showed on Thursday.
Almost half are in India, where slavery ranges from bonded labour in quarries and kilns to commercial sex exploitation, although the scourge exists in all 162 countries surveyed by Walk Free, an Australian-based rights group.
Its estimate of 29.8 million slaves worldwide is higher than other attempts to quantify modern slavery. The International Labour Organisation estimates that almost 21 million people are victims of forced labour.
"Today some people are still being born into hereditary slavery, a staggering but harsh reality, particularly in parts of West Africa and South Asia," the report said.
"Other victims are captured or kidnapped before being sold or kept for exploitation, whether through 'marriage', unpaid labour on fishing boats, or as domestic workers. Others are tricked and lured into situations they cannot escape, with false promises of a good job or an education."
The Global Slavery Index 2013 defines slavery as the possession or control of people to deny freedom and exploit them for profit or sex, usually through violence, coercion or deception. The definition includes indentured servitude, forced marriage and the abduction of children to serve in wars.
According to the index, 10 countries alone account for three quarters of the world's slaves.
After India, China has the most with 2.9 million, followed by Pakistan (2.1 million), Nigeria (701,000), Ethiopia (651,000), Russia (516,000), Thailand (473,000), Democratic Republic of Congo (462,000), Myanmar (384,000) and Bangladesh (343,000).
The index also ranks nations by prevalence of slavery per head of population. By this measure, Mauritania is worst, with almost 4 percent of its 3.8 million people enslaved. Estimates by other organisations put the level at up to 20 percent.
Chattel slavery is common in Mauritania, meaning that slave status is passed down through generations. "Owners" buy, sell, rent out or give away their slaves as gifts.
After Mauritania, slavery is most prevalent by population in Haiti, where a system of child labour known as "restavek" encourages poor families to send their children to wealthier acquaintances, where many end up exploited and abused.
Pakistan, India, Nepal, Moldova, Benin, Ivory Coast, Gambia and Gabon have the next highest prevalence rates.
At the other end of the scale, Iceland has the lowest estimated prevalence with fewer than 100 slaves.
Next best are Ireland, Britain, New Zealand, Switzerland, Sweden, Norway, Luxembourg, Finland and Denmark, although researchers said slave numbers in such wealthy countries were higher than previously thought.
"They've been allocating resources against this crime according to the tiny handful of cases that they've been aware of," said Kevin Bales, lead researcher and a professor at the Wilberforce Institute for the Study of Slavery and Emancipation at Hull University.
"Our estimates are telling them that the numbers of people in slavery - whether it's in Great Britain or Finland or wherever - in these richer countries actually tends to be about six to 10 times higher than they think it is."
Walk Free CEO Nick Grono said the annual index would serve as an important baseline for governments and activists in the anti-slavery fight.
"This kind of data hasn't been out there before," he said. "It's a multi-year effort, and next year we'll have a much better picture of where slavery is and what changes there are. If you can't measure it, you can't devise policy to address it."
Countries with highest absolute numbers of slaves
Country Estimated slaves
India 13.9 million
China 2.9 million
Pakistan 2.1 million
Nigeria 701,000
Ethiopia 651,000
Russia 516,000
Thailand 473,000
D.R. Congo 462,000
Myanmar 384,000
Bangladesh 343,000
Ranking by prevalence of modern slavery per head of population
Rank Country Estimated slaves Population
1 Mauritania 151,000 3.8 million
2 Haiti 209,000 10.2 million
3 Pakistan 2.1 million 179.2 million
4 India 13.9 million 1.2 billion
5 Nepal 259,000 27.5 million
6 Moldova 33,000 3.6 million
7 Benin 80,000 10.1 million
8 Ivory Coast 157,000 19.8 million
9 Gambia 14,000 1.8 million
10 Gabon 14,000 1.6 million
Source: Global Slavery Index 2013, Walk Free
Abiola Kanje 10 years ago
In every bad thing in the world, Nigeria always follows Pakistan. The most corrupt countries in the world, Nigeria follows Pakistan. The most unlivable cities in the world Lagos follows Islamabad.
It is too much for we Ni ... read full comment
In every bad thing in the world, Nigeria always follows Pakistan. The most corrupt countries in the world, Nigeria follows Pakistan. The most unlivable cities in the world Lagos follows Islamabad.
It is too much for we Nigerians. Our leaders must do something about our bad image in the world. I am sure the slavery is in the Muslim dominated north. In Islamic culture blacks are slaves. The Muslims in North Africa practice slavery, and black Africans are their slaves. Every Nigerian must wake up. Our country's name has been in mud for far too long. We must all do something to polish our image.
solo 10 years ago
Why haven't you mentioned that Abuja is the best city in Africa?
Why haven't you mentioned that Abuja is the best city in Africa?
solo 10 years ago
...city in Africa..
...city in Africa..
Jojo. 10 years ago
Nigeria practices slavery? I am sure these Islamic 'Mullas' have enslave their domestic female workers just to have sex with them. These Muslims love sex too much. Most of the slaves will be young girls and women.
Nigeria practices slavery? I am sure these Islamic 'Mullas' have enslave their domestic female workers just to have sex with them. These Muslims love sex too much. Most of the slaves will be young girls and women.
francis kwarteng 10 years ago
Hello,
I didn't see America and most Western countries on the list.
You mentioned Haiti, Congo, Myanmar, etc., but what your citation failed to do was to include the fact that many of these so-called "slaves" are emplo ... read full comment
Hello,
I didn't see America and most Western countries on the list.
You mentioned Haiti, Congo, Myanmar, etc., but what your citation failed to do was to include the fact that many of these so-called "slaves" are employees for Western multinationals.
Many of these "slaves," for instance, work for American clothing (apparel)companies in places like Haiti.
In fact, one of the reasons America overthrew Ex-President Jean-Bertrand Aristide of Haiti was his refusal to allow American companies to abuse Haitian employees working for American apparel companies in Haiti (See ex-President Bill Clinton's appology to the people of Haiti for allowing his, I mean, Clinton's, policies to destroy the Haitian economy. Go to democracynow.org).
The problem is the the same in Asia (Bangladesh, China, Zambia, Ethiopia, etc).
America and the rest of the West go to these countries because of cheap labor, near-abscence of progressive labor laws (lack of unions), lack of safety conditions and children rights, tax avoidance, etc.
Then, after they make their money, these Western countries prepare reports such as the one you post here to make them look good.
Child prostitution (slavery) is a major ptoblem in America. The American government indicts syndicates involved in child prostitutions (slavery) every year but you hardly see them reported in the document you post here.
Also, many of the young girls brought from Latin America, Asia, South America, and Africa to work as prostitutes (slaves) mostly work in outfits owned by white Americans.
Do you know how many girls (engaged in slave prostitution) were rescued this year alone by federal authorities (America).
Sadly, American politics is such that infuential men in the American society are able to bribe (called "lobbying") US Senators and Congressmen to pass laws to protect, what in many countries, would be considered illegal.
Finally, some of the successful brothels in Asia (Thailand, Hing Kong, etc) are owned by Westerners.
For instance, the 4th richest American (info based on two-year-old statistics), 13th richest in the world, 2013, Sheldon Adelson (a Jew), owns the largest and most profitable casinoes in China (Mcau) as well as in America.
The US Justice Department investigated him last year when information came out that his casinos were involved in prostitution (and other crimes). No one knows what came out of the investgation.
The influential American evangelist and Republican politician, violated many American laws when he did many shady business dealings Mobuto Sese sEko (and later with Charles Taylor).The US Congress investigated him but refused to release the reports. Again, no one knows what becae of the investigation. The report you put out here don't reflect the examples I have citec.
Finally, what did the authors mean by "slaves"? I ask this question because, sometimes, what the West says is child slavery may be "juvenile deliquency."
What the West may refer to as "child slavery" in other countries, it conveniently refers it to it as "child prositution."
Finally, Camara Laye's novel, "The African Child," the French said it should be "L'Enfant Noir," which translates to "The Black Child."
Are "The African Child" and "The Black Child" the same?
I have some background in the French language and, therefore, has seen many of these examples.
Please do try to watch Democracy Now (democracynow.org) everyday if you can. It will expose you to many of the things I have been saying here which mainstream media in the West don't talk about, but choose to come up with the report you post here to make them look good.
Let's receive such reports with cautious skepticism and ask the right probing questions.
Thanks
francis kwarteng 10 years ago
Jingo,
The Problem concern is similar to corruption ranking.
For instance, about 35-45% of the wealth Adolf Hitler stole from Jews are in the hands of the American federal government as I write (See Norman Finkelstein' ... read full comment
Jingo,
The Problem concern is similar to corruption ranking.
For instance, about 35-45% of the wealth Adolf Hitler stole from Jews are in the hands of the American federal government as I write (See Norman Finkelstein's "The Holocaust Industry"; Finkelstein is American Jew).
Yet it's Switzerland everyone blames for buying the stolen items Hitler took from wealthy Jews.
Finkelstein says American Jews are afraid to sue the American as they did to Switzerland because of America's unflinching support for the State of Isreal.
In fact, the same people (the West)who help our leaders hide the people's money in their banks, do corruption ranking and put African leaders on top of the list (am not implying corruption is not a serious problem for us as Africans).
Those of us who have studied (as well as lived in Western democracies) Western democracies know that the West is the most corrupt in the world.
I don't want to discuss the depth of corruption in America. It's everywhere.
In the 90s, for instance, do you know the billions of dollars (stolen Russian money) Bill Clinton had to send back to Russia?
American banks have the same "secrecy" laws as Swiss banks, yet all Americans talk about is Swiss "secrecy" banking laws. Do know how many Americans stole money and hid them in Swiss banks?
The Swiss has so far released over 4000 American names after America put pressure on the Swiss. Are these reflected in corruption rankings? No. The American banker who exposed the culpability of American banking officials who assisted American citizens in stealing money and hiding them in Switzerland, received over a 100,000,000 ($104 million from the Internal Revenue Service) as gift. In fact, like Swiss banks, American banks have internal rules to assist money launders send ship money illegally out of America. Employees are taught to this. This info came out of the exposure by the America banking official.
American banks used drug money coming from South America, Mexico, etc., to run their business when the American economy crashed.
Let me stop here. Learn to take reports coming from the West with caution. I don't where you live presently, but if you live in America, you should understand.
Kojo T 10 years ago
I am glad francis , my brother has put something in the real vein of Afrocentrism. Time is ripe we adapt what we have learnt from the west and east to create from our own history the Afro pot purri. To me that is what I look ... read full comment
I am glad francis , my brother has put something in the real vein of Afrocentrism. Time is ripe we adapt what we have learnt from the west and east to create from our own history the Afro pot purri. To me that is what I look forward to . It is important we realise our oneness and that by combining these diverse resources we will create a synergy. We import too much and rely too much on outsiders . Let us go back to our proud history and use the roots and herbs that were cures for our forefathers .Let us adapt the knowledge of the ploughs and craete something for our agricultural revolution. Egypt had silos , why can we not have the same in todays modern times . The pyramids should be a challenge to our architects to design homes and material that will last for our dwellings . If it could be done 5000 years agao why can we not do it today. Blackness will only be respected if and only if we show the world what we can do
francis kwarteng 10 years ago
Brother Kojo T,
Please how are you doing?
You know what? All the millions of articles I have written in my entire life boil down to your summary.
I wish I could have simplied it for our readers as expertly as you ha ... read full comment
Brother Kojo T,
Please how are you doing?
You know what? All the millions of articles I have written in my entire life boil down to your summary.
I wish I could have simplied it for our readers as expertly as you have done!
You know the song I was listening to when I saw your comment? Ziggy Marley & Melody Makers' "Black My Story," which jibes with your views here.
More of those, anyway.
Thank you, my brother.
Kojo T 10 years ago
I luv your write ups because that is where we should be going. Use your rich history to move forward
I luv your write ups because that is where we should be going. Use your rich history to move forward
Dantankwa 10 years ago
I am still at loss as to what you seek to prove and attain by your writings. With such a lenghty write-up, impregnated with several quotes of which scacely few have been cited, As an average reader, I was expecting that you w ... read full comment
I am still at loss as to what you seek to prove and attain by your writings. With such a lenghty write-up, impregnated with several quotes of which scacely few have been cited, As an average reader, I was expecting that you would at least give us a certain sense of direction and focus to the entire discourse, so that the we can follow it sequentially. What I have read closely came up as a pile of disjointed quotes and sweeping views and unsubstantiated ideas. Mere attributions of views to one scholar or the other does not necessarily guarantee them any truth value or authenticity. The title of treatise is very catcy and I was expecting that you will do justice to it, but that never happened as far as I am concerned.
For your information, the word 'abd' in Arabic is a cover term for slave regardless of whether the person is black or white or even Arab. The impression you sought to create to the effect it refers mainly to black is not correct, and you know that quite well.
As you keep hammaring all over, there is no denying that regardless of the pepetrators, be they the West or Arab or whoever, slave trade have had devasting effects on us as Black Africans, but, for how long must we keep blaming our contemporary economic and socio-cultural challenges and decay to slave trade? We have far more complex and seriuous problems confronting us African, and the earlier we focus on finding meaningful, useful and practical solutions to them, the better.
Akonoba 10 years ago
Who comes to Ghana web to read things of this kind?
Who comes to Ghana web to read things of this kind?
Nii Ashitey 10 years ago
Although there was African religion before the arrival of the Arabs and the white man,the introduction of both Islam and Christianity virtually cause the demise of our authentic African religion. There must be a reason for t ... read full comment
Although there was African religion before the arrival of the Arabs and the white man,the introduction of both Islam and Christianity virtually cause the demise of our authentic African religion. There must be a reason for this easy infiltration and conversion. African religion was not only primitive but it was not well organized and therefore vulnerable to outside influences and shocks. But the motive of both religion was first and fore most commercial and religion was just a tool to soften and make our people docile and amenable to exploitation.
When the Africans realize the motive behind this they resisted the imposition of these religions resulting in several wars. With the help of technology both religions prevailed in Africa. The Arabs mostly took north Africa and Christianity mostly the south. Having decimated our religion and denigrated it as heathen practices, the end of slavery saw the beginning of the consolidation of both religions in Africa. The end of the TransSaharan and the TransAtlantic slave trade also saw the emergence of the new African intellectual well equipped to understand the game being played against the continent and to give it a direction.
Whereas Christianity as a western concept and with its past record of slavery took a softer approach, the story of radical Islam and its many forms tell a different story. And so with all the great religions coming from Asia and Rome being the foundation of Christianity why should we keep denigrating our own African religion if improved and made respectable. After all the Pope said recently that one can go to heaven without going through any religion if it is heaven we want to go.
However the most important struggle of this generation in Africa especially West Africa will be to keep the scourge of radical and militant Islam at bay. The introduction of say Sharia law as is been demanded in the northern part of Nigeria and the caliphate will definitely be anti African. We respect the gentle type of Islam and Christianity being practised in Ghana at the moment. Any thing more than that must give us food for thought.
francis kwarteng 10 years ago
Dantankwa,
This is a straightfoward piece. In fact, it's one of the straighfoward essays I have ever written.
One website had 302 people read it under 1 hour without a single complaint!
In my first two articles on ... read full comment
Dantankwa,
This is a straightfoward piece. In fact, it's one of the straighfoward essays I have ever written.
One website had 302 people read it under 1 hour without a single complaint!
In my first two articles on Ghanaweb, "Leave Tsatsu Tsikata Alone" l/ll, I listed every single source I quoted from, yet I was called a plagiarist.
Now I include all the quotes relevant to an article (to avoid being called a plagiarist) and people still complain.
I am not the kind used to making up stuff. I am not an intellectual magician, you know. Please you can avoid the quotes if they create problems for you.
Next, which other word means "slave" in Arabic? Which other word in Arabic was and still being used to refer to black Africans and descendants of black African slaves?
This articles is part of a series. Four or five other articles have already preceded this.
Please you better go back and read all of them if you want to understand what this article is talking about.
The quotes are not disjointed, as you claim. It appears discursive to you because you probably don't have the the benefit of the seres.
In fact, all the quotes, one way or the other, variously deal with the general question of Arab racism, the cutltural and anthropological definition of "Arab," the definition of African identity in the contexts of Muslimized Arab culture, the contribution of Muslimized Arab culture to the intellectual and cultural legacy of Africa, the international intellectual debate on the Arab Trans-Sharan Slave Trade, the racial/ethnic autochthony of North Africa, and other pertinent issues. What don't you understand, please?
Do you see Nii Ashitey complaning? His review captures the intellectual thrust of my piece. He has read all the previous ones and is overly conversant with my drift. Do the same.
Next I never said "abd" specifically meant "black" slave. I never implied it so in accordance with your understanding. Moreover, I know it's a generic term. If you care to know, it can also mean "pagan," kaffir, or "non-Moslem believer, generally.
I meant it in a cultural-political sense. Besides, talk to anyone today in any Arab country and you will understand that blacks in those regions are privately, and, even occasionally publicly, referred to as "abd."
My father lived in Libya for many years, from the mid 70s to the late 80s, and "white "Libyans referred to black Africans as "abd." It didn't matther that the black African referent was not a slave or a descendant of a slave.
However, descendants of "white" Arab slaves in Libya or any of the Arab world, for that matter, are not generally referred to as such.
Again, be reminded that those black Africans referred to by "white" Arab Libyans as "abd" are neither slaves nor descendants of enslaved black Africans. They are simply black Africans!
In other words, the word "abd" assumes identical social and political connotation as the American "nigger." The Irish, for instance, were once called the "White niggers of Europe."
Finally, talk to any of the 2 million Iraqi-Africans (in present-day Iraq)how "white" Iragis refer to them.
Ask them if the same word, "abd," is used for descendants of white or arab slaves in these same societies?
In contemporary Arab societies, the word "abd" is reserved specifically for descendants of enslaved black Africans. I have written an essay on this definitional problem and shall soon be pblished on Ghanaweb.
Pakistan has the largest number of descendants of enslaved black Africans in South Asia---please find out for me what name(s) is used for them?
Do the same for the descendants of enslaved Africans in India. I have the answers already, just do the research for me.
In fact, somehow most of the names used for them have negative connotations (and most of their etymologies or roots mean "black" or goes back to "blackness").
For technical reasons, I chose to leave out complicated philological/etymological details as to where Arabs may have got those negative ideas about blackness from. Classical Greek thought (Aristotle and others) on blackness has a lot to do with.
This is what what an Arab (Ibn Sina) said about us:
"All African women are prostitutes, and the whole race of African men are abeed (slave) stock." "Abbed" is the same as "abd." So, you see, all African men are "abd" or "abeed." And the "whole race of African men" is the black race. Also, find a quote for me where "white" Arab slaves or "white" European slaves are generally described as such!
Here is another one by another Arab (Al-Dimashqi):
The Equator is inhabited by communities of blacks who may be numbered among the savage beasts. Their complexion and hair are burnt and they are physically and morally abnormal. Their brains almost boil from the sun's heat."
One of the greatest intellectauls who unabashedly defended blackness against Arab racist onslaught against Africans was the Afro-Arab scholar, Al-Jahiz, the same man whose scientific work on evolution (natural selection, surivival of the fittest, etc) predated Charles Darwin's (and Alfred Russel Wallace, Darwin's most important rival) though Darwin is given all the credit. Read about Al-Jahiz.
Take your time, for the article is easy to understand!
I will end here.
francis kwarteng 10 years ago
Nii Ashitey,
There is not much to add except to recommend Jared Diamond's "Guns, Germs and Steel" to our readers.
It comes in book form and documentary. The book version won a Pulitzer Prize.
And it discusses why th ... read full comment
Nii Ashitey,
There is not much to add except to recommend Jared Diamond's "Guns, Germs and Steel" to our readers.
It comes in book form and documentary. The book version won a Pulitzer Prize.
And it discusses why the West was able to conquer the rest of the world.
It's interesting to note that China may have "circumnavigated?" the world before Europe but didn't colonize the peoples she came into contact with as Europe did.
Those interested in knowing more about Chinese navigation/exploring skills can read Gavin Menzes' "1421: The Year China Discovered America."
You can also read about "Zheng He" who captained one of the biggest ships in the ancient world.
Zheng He traded with Africans along the eastern coast of Africa, buying and sending African elephants to China. It's been suggested that he may have reached South Africa before Europeans.
In fact, the ships he used were bigger and more sophiscated than those used by Christopher Columbus on his voyages to America.
Thanks.
Global Citizen III 10 years ago
Nii Ashitey, You are a scholar indeed.
Nii Ashitey, You are a scholar indeed.
Kwobia,Toronto 10 years ago
Since the name "Africa" was imposed/given/named on the the continent,it has been a story of a continent of impositions.
Since the name "Africa" was imposed/given/named on the the continent,it has been a story of a continent of impositions.
francis kwarteng 10 years ago
Hello Kwobia,
Well said.
You're very right. That's one of the problems we have to overcome.
Thanks.
Hello Kwobia,
Well said.
You're very right. That's one of the problems we have to overcome.
Thanks.
francis kwarteng 10 years ago
Media Mogul,
I think your response to Dadwen is a good one. "I am referring to "Why The Truth Matters" article).
I saw Dadwen's remarks but Kojo T's questions on world Jewry, Jewish slavery in ancient Egypt,and the hist ... read full comment
Media Mogul,
I think your response to Dadwen is a good one. "I am referring to "Why The Truth Matters" article).
I saw Dadwen's remarks but Kojo T's questions on world Jewry, Jewish slavery in ancient Egypt,and the historicity of Jesus caught my attention.
I had been expecting these questions for a long time. I am not too sure if Ghanaweb readers are able to read my mind!
I want to see how Dadwen responds to your view point.
Let's continue tomorrow!
solo 10 years ago
Is the writer talking about Arabs/African inter-relations, Africans and their skin colour, slavery, Prof. Louis Gate and his Irish ancestry, or WHAT? It is a long boring article and what does it intend to achieve?
Is the writer talking about Arabs/African inter-relations, Africans and their skin colour, slavery, Prof. Louis Gate and his Irish ancestry, or WHAT? It is a long boring article and what does it intend to achieve?
ATO KWAMENA, USA. 10 years ago
AFRICANS SHOULD NOT BLAME THEMSELVES FOR ALL THE NAMES GIVEN TO US BUT WE MUST BE PROUD OF OURSELVES AS AFRICAN BLACK MAN SINCE THE WESTERN WORLD HAD ALREADY PAINTED US UGLY BUT NOW WE HAVE READ AND REALIZED THINGS OURSELVES. ... read full comment
AFRICANS SHOULD NOT BLAME THEMSELVES FOR ALL THE NAMES GIVEN TO US BUT WE MUST BE PROUD OF OURSELVES AS AFRICAN BLACK MAN SINCE THE WESTERN WORLD HAD ALREADY PAINTED US UGLY BUT NOW WE HAVE READ AND REALIZED THINGS OURSELVES. SLAVE TRADE DEMOTED US FROM HUMANS TO ANIMALS WITHOUT FEELINGS, DEGRADED AS Z-GRADE HUMANS.IT IS JUST THAT WE CAN ALSO TALK AND WALK ON TWO LEGS OTHERWISE WE WERE REGARDED AS TOOLS AND BEAST OF BURDENS BUT NOW THAT WE UNDERSTAND THE WORLD THAT WE ARE IN THIS IS THE TIME THAT WE CAN DEFEND OUR NOBEL RACE. THE BLACK MAN CAN HAVE A GOOD WRITTEN HISTORY IF WE WRITE IT OURSELVES.
Agyeman. 10 years ago
Very true,Ato Kwamena.Even Jesus didn't keep a job and thus lived off other people,he was born and lived in substandard housing,couldn't keep a wife,called everybody a bro/sis and was maltreated.He therefore must have been a ... read full comment
Very true,Ato Kwamena.Even Jesus didn't keep a job and thus lived off other people,he was born and lived in substandard housing,couldn't keep a wife,called everybody a bro/sis and was maltreated.He therefore must have been a black man so i think there's still hope for us black men.
BRO DAN- TRC 10 years ago
PRECIOUS PEOPLE OF AFRICA, DISTINGUISHED ONES OF THE NATIONS OF THE WORLD, INNOCENT PEOPLE OF GHANA, THERE IS BUT THIS ONE -CIVILIZATION- ON MY HEART THAT I LONG TO SHARE WITH YOU AND I. THE CIVILIZATION WHICH CALLS ON THE HE ... read full comment
PRECIOUS PEOPLE OF AFRICA, DISTINGUISHED ONES OF THE NATIONS OF THE WORLD, INNOCENT PEOPLE OF GHANA, THERE IS BUT THIS ONE -CIVILIZATION- ON MY HEART THAT I LONG TO SHARE WITH YOU AND I. THE CIVILIZATION WHICH CALLS ON THE HEART AND MINDS OF HUMANITY TO BE -CIVIL- TO RECEIVE EACH OTHER AS -EQUAL FELLOW HUMANS- AND GIVE A HELPING HAND TO EACH OTHER TO -LIVE- AND NOT -LEAVE- ONE ANOTHER TO DIE IN HELPLESSNES. PULSE. A TIME TO THINK. FOR O' PRECIOUS ONES OF THE NATIONS OF THE WORLD, THOUGH WE HEAR OF -THE ARAB WORLD, THE WESTERN WORLD, THE BLACK WORLD, THE CHRISTIAN WORLD, THE ACADEMIC WORLD, THE WORLD OF SCIENCE AND WHICHEVER THERE MAY BE, HUMANITY KNOWS FOR SURE AND OUR HEARTS AND MINDS CANNOT DENY THAT -THERE IS BUT ONE WORLD TO WHICH HUMANITY BELONG, THOUGH OUR LIPS MAY DENY. PULSE. A TIME TO THINK.
BLESSED ONES, KNOWING THIS, THEREFORE MUST WE LEARN TO SAY- "UNTIL OTHER NATIONS ARE BETTER AS MY NATION, THE WORLD IS NOT A BETTER PLACE". AND "UNTIL LIFE IS BETTER FOR MY FELLOW HUMAN LIFE IS NOT BETTER FOR ME". FOR "GREATER LOVE HAS NO MAN THAN THIS, THAT A MAN LAY DOWN HIS LIVE FOR THE FRIEND." SELAH.
BLESSED ONES, "IT IS FINISHED" THEREFORE, "OCCUPY TILL I COME". SELAH.
TOGETHER, WE CAN! WITH GOD, WE CAN!! GOD BLESS AFRICA TO "BE STRONG AND OF GOOD COURAGE" TO RECEIVE EACH OTHER AS EQUAL HUMANS AND ALL FELLOW HUMANS AS OUR EQUAL HUMANS. GOD BLESS THE NOBLE PEOPLE OF ISLAM EVEN AS THEY HAVE GATHERED IN MECA IN ACCORDNCE WITH THE- PILGRIMAGE PILAR- OF THE ISLAMIC RELIGION. GOD BLESS YOUR NATION AND THE DIGNIFIED CITIZENS AND PEOPLE TO RECEIVE EACH OTHER AS EQUAL HUMANS FOR THE BUILD UP OF THE NATION. AND, GOD BLESS OUR HOMELAND GHANA.
AKASI MARTHA NZEMA 10 years ago
"PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES WANTS TO GO EUROPE TO SEEK THE "FACE OF GOD". WE HAVE A VILLAGE IN THE WESTERN REGION ALREADY TO SEEK THE "FACE OF GOD", BUT WE ARE NOT SPIRITUAL PEOPLE TO KNOW. "HOLY SPIRIT" HAS REVEALED THE PLACE T ... read full comment
"PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES WANTS TO GO EUROPE TO SEEK THE "FACE OF GOD". WE HAVE A VILLAGE IN THE WESTERN REGION ALREADY TO SEEK THE "FACE OF GOD", BUT WE ARE NOT SPIRITUAL PEOPLE TO KNOW. "HOLY SPIRIT" HAS REVEALED THE PLACE TO ME ALREADY, BUT REVEAL IT TO THE PROPHETS IN GHANA/AFRICA. AMEN.
GIDEON 10 years ago
HERE IN GHANA, THE ISLAMIC CLERICS AND LEADERS HAVE AN AGENDA TO PUSH GOV'T INTO MAKING ARABIC A WRITTEN LANGUAGE IN THE B.E.C.E AND W.A.S.S.C.E.
EVEN THOUGH ARABIC IS TAUGHT IN THE ISLAMIC SCHOOLS, THE LANGUAGE IS NOT RECO ... read full comment
HERE IN GHANA, THE ISLAMIC CLERICS AND LEADERS HAVE AN AGENDA TO PUSH GOV'T INTO MAKING ARABIC A WRITTEN LANGUAGE IN THE B.E.C.E AND W.A.S.S.C.E.
EVEN THOUGH ARABIC IS TAUGHT IN THE ISLAMIC SCHOOLS, THE LANGUAGE IS NOT RECOGNIZED BY THE G.E.S. THE PURPOSE OF THIS LOBBY IS TO PUSH FOR GOV'T TO EMPLOY AND PAY THE ISLAMIC/ARABIC TEACHERS WHO LARGELY WORK AS VOLUNTEER TEACHERS WITHOUT ANY COMPENSATION.
GHANA IS A SECULAR NATION AND THAT MOVE BY MUSLIMS SHOULD BE RESISTED WITH THE GREATEST FORCE. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCE SHOULD THE TAXES OF THE KUFFAR(UNBELIEVER) BE USED TO PROMOTE ISLAM.
IF MUSLIMS CANNOT WAIT TO LEARN THEIR HEAVENLY LANGUAGE WHEN THEY GET TO HEAVEN,IT IS NOT THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE UNBELIEVER TO AID THEM DO THAT HERE ON EARTH.
WE ARE FIGHTING TO RESIST MENTAL SLAVERY BY THE WEST. BUT I TELL YOU, ISLAMIC/ARAB MENTAL ENSLAVEMENT IS THE GREATEST TUSK BECAUSE MUSLIMS DON'T BELIEVE THEY HAVE A PROBLEM TO DEAL WITH.
Danso TDOT 10 years ago
My exact sentiment .
My exact sentiment .
KOFI SEAMAN 10 years ago
Kudos,Mr Francis Kwarteng,l always enjoy reading your write ups,its a great eye opener.Its a beautiful thing for a people(Africans) to know their true selves from great writers and reseachers as you, despite efforts by the ou ... read full comment
Kudos,Mr Francis Kwarteng,l always enjoy reading your write ups,its a great eye opener.Its a beautiful thing for a people(Africans) to know their true selves from great writers and reseachers as you, despite efforts by the outside world to twist it..
Francis,have you ever listened to 'Sweet African History' by Poncho,(Samson Quain)formerly of Ghana Broadcasting Corporation?The album is titled '2nd Adventure'.As a matter of fact you should listen to the whole album,but the ...
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KB,
I knew Samson Quain personally as a young boy.
In fact, we had a recording studio in Dansoman Estate, Sahara, and organized shows with Quain's brother who used to teach at Ebenezer Secondary School, Last Stop, Dans ...
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KB,
My brother's name is Prince, not Price.
The studio was called "Prince Muzic Cartel."
Thanks.
KB,
Thanks for the info.
I shall see what to do with Dr. Ahmet Maulana. As you know, Egyptologist is one of my interests.
I shall have to do one essay on Egyptology and how it treats ancient Egyptian culture, histor ...
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'THIRTY MILLION PEOPLE ARE SLAVES, HALF IN INDIA'
LONDON, Oct 17 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Some 30 million people are enslaved worldwide, trafficked into brothels, forced into manual labour, victims of debt bondage or ...
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In every bad thing in the world, Nigeria always follows Pakistan. The most corrupt countries in the world, Nigeria follows Pakistan. The most unlivable cities in the world Lagos follows Islamabad.
It is too much for we Ni ...
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Why haven't you mentioned that Abuja is the best city in Africa?
...city in Africa..
Nigeria practices slavery? I am sure these Islamic 'Mullas' have enslave their domestic female workers just to have sex with them. These Muslims love sex too much. Most of the slaves will be young girls and women.
Hello,
I didn't see America and most Western countries on the list.
You mentioned Haiti, Congo, Myanmar, etc., but what your citation failed to do was to include the fact that many of these so-called "slaves" are emplo ...
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Jingo,
The Problem concern is similar to corruption ranking.
For instance, about 35-45% of the wealth Adolf Hitler stole from Jews are in the hands of the American federal government as I write (See Norman Finkelstein' ...
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I am glad francis , my brother has put something in the real vein of Afrocentrism. Time is ripe we adapt what we have learnt from the west and east to create from our own history the Afro pot purri. To me that is what I look ...
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Brother Kojo T,
Please how are you doing?
You know what? All the millions of articles I have written in my entire life boil down to your summary.
I wish I could have simplied it for our readers as expertly as you ha ...
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I luv your write ups because that is where we should be going. Use your rich history to move forward
I am still at loss as to what you seek to prove and attain by your writings. With such a lenghty write-up, impregnated with several quotes of which scacely few have been cited, As an average reader, I was expecting that you w ...
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Who comes to Ghana web to read things of this kind?
Although there was African religion before the arrival of the Arabs and the white man,the introduction of both Islam and Christianity virtually cause the demise of our authentic African religion. There must be a reason for t ...
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Dantankwa,
This is a straightfoward piece. In fact, it's one of the straighfoward essays I have ever written.
One website had 302 people read it under 1 hour without a single complaint!
In my first two articles on ...
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Nii Ashitey,
There is not much to add except to recommend Jared Diamond's "Guns, Germs and Steel" to our readers.
It comes in book form and documentary. The book version won a Pulitzer Prize.
And it discusses why th ...
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Nii Ashitey, You are a scholar indeed.
Since the name "Africa" was imposed/given/named on the the continent,it has been a story of a continent of impositions.
Hello Kwobia,
Well said.
You're very right. That's one of the problems we have to overcome.
Thanks.
Media Mogul,
I think your response to Dadwen is a good one. "I am referring to "Why The Truth Matters" article).
I saw Dadwen's remarks but Kojo T's questions on world Jewry, Jewish slavery in ancient Egypt,and the hist ...
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Is the writer talking about Arabs/African inter-relations, Africans and their skin colour, slavery, Prof. Louis Gate and his Irish ancestry, or WHAT? It is a long boring article and what does it intend to achieve?
AFRICANS SHOULD NOT BLAME THEMSELVES FOR ALL THE NAMES GIVEN TO US BUT WE MUST BE PROUD OF OURSELVES AS AFRICAN BLACK MAN SINCE THE WESTERN WORLD HAD ALREADY PAINTED US UGLY BUT NOW WE HAVE READ AND REALIZED THINGS OURSELVES. ...
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Very true,Ato Kwamena.Even Jesus didn't keep a job and thus lived off other people,he was born and lived in substandard housing,couldn't keep a wife,called everybody a bro/sis and was maltreated.He therefore must have been a ...
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PRECIOUS PEOPLE OF AFRICA, DISTINGUISHED ONES OF THE NATIONS OF THE WORLD, INNOCENT PEOPLE OF GHANA, THERE IS BUT THIS ONE -CIVILIZATION- ON MY HEART THAT I LONG TO SHARE WITH YOU AND I. THE CIVILIZATION WHICH CALLS ON THE HE ...
read full comment
"PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES WANTS TO GO EUROPE TO SEEK THE "FACE OF GOD". WE HAVE A VILLAGE IN THE WESTERN REGION ALREADY TO SEEK THE "FACE OF GOD", BUT WE ARE NOT SPIRITUAL PEOPLE TO KNOW. "HOLY SPIRIT" HAS REVEALED THE PLACE T ...
read full comment
HERE IN GHANA, THE ISLAMIC CLERICS AND LEADERS HAVE AN AGENDA TO PUSH GOV'T INTO MAKING ARABIC A WRITTEN LANGUAGE IN THE B.E.C.E AND W.A.S.S.C.E.
EVEN THOUGH ARABIC IS TAUGHT IN THE ISLAMIC SCHOOLS, THE LANGUAGE IS NOT RECO ...
read full comment
My exact sentiment .
Kudos,Mr Francis Kwarteng,l always enjoy reading your write ups,its a great eye opener.Its a beautiful thing for a people(Africans) to know their true selves from great writers and reseachers as you, despite efforts by the ou ...
read full comment