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It beats my imagination to realize that some in Europe and some other parts of the world see our Africa as a country. Isn't that disgraceful? This big Africa?
Africa is not a country, it's a continent of 52 different countries with more than 2000 languages.
But why are facts about Africa almost always misrepresented and misunderstood?
Any mention of what was once called The Dark Continent only brings to mind images of WAR-FARMINE-CORRUPTION-DISEASE.

No one has time to mention the 22 Nobel laureates from 9 different African countries.
And guess where 4 of the 10 fastest growing economies in the world are located?
Nope. Not in Europe. Yes, they're in Africa which of course has issues of poverty and inequality like Europe too.
Let's not forget the strength of our manpower as the continent is the fastest growing market for mobile phones and other consumables.

But wait o!
All these growth comes from foreign aid right?
Naaa! Not true.
Infact according to statistics I got off World Bank website, foreign aid represents only 2% of Africa's GDP.
In 2010 Africans living outside the continent sent more cash back to their families at home more than the entire world provided for the continent in foreign aid. It was a $52 Billion against $43 Billion.

How about the plight of poor African women?
Africa has had 7 female presidents - the United States kwanu?
It is now that they are hoping to have one (Iya Clinton) in this 21st century.
Meanwhile Rwanda has the highest proportion of female parliamentarians in the world - its 64% against 29% record in the UK.

So I ask, is it remotely possible that we stop focusing only on the negatives in Africa?
Africa and her writers must change the tide henceforth.
We have what it takes and now is the time because every 60 seconds in Africa a minute passes by.

People learn about countries that either rule over them or control them in one way or another. That is why the poor countries know more about the world powers that the opposite.

There is a time that our local media was busy with a story of a princess from one of the smaller lesser known European nations. I think she had gotten married or had a baby. I wondered how the story got to be considered newsworthy to people who had not heard of the person. You would not expect stories of the personal lives of African royal families on European press. Not even on celebrity gossip magazines. So the media also plays a huge part.

Africa is not studied in other continents, because the world right now has prioritised European Ideals. That's why we learn about the middle ages and European revolutions and ideals. Studying Africa would introduce ideals and ligestyles that are not in line with those of the current civilization.

That's why there is a deliberate attempt to either block out Africa from the press, or to repress it's achievements. Considering that it also a place that has not been successfull with the European social and political systems.

Is it?