I arrived in Accra, Ghana, on a British Airways flight on August 15, 2006. My bags did not arrive until five days later. All I had with me in Ghana was what we were allowed to take on board the aircraft: A clear plastic bag containing a passport, a boarding pass and airline tickets. These were the results of extreme security measures taken following the discovery and foiling of a terrorist plot to blow up trans-Atlantic flights on August 11.

The next day after my arrival (Aug 16), our local coordinator, Mr. Gilbert Owusu, and I set out to the village of Nkyenenkyene for the opening and dedication of a library for the school children. The following day, we set out to Obregyimah.

It is a village on the Accra-Kumasi trunk road, about 5 miles from Teacher Mante, which was transformed into a Malaria-Free Zone on February 20, 2006. Obregyimah has been clamoring for a similar status. Mr. Owusu and his team had fumigated the village and purchased insecticide-treated bed nets (ITNs) and anti-malarial medication.

We set out early in the morning - around 9:00 am - in a convoy of three vehicles, carrying me and the team, as well as a clutch of journalists, photographers, television cameramen and their equipment. But a few miles before we reached the village, Mr. Owusu's car, in which I was riding, broke down again. The rest in the three-vehicle convoy stopped to render assistance but attempts to restart it failed. It seemed to me to be a fuel problem again. I suspected that the fuel system was not well cleaned out. We summoned a mechanic and left him and the driver with the car and proceeded to the village.

The villagers had gathered under a huge billboard that read: “Obregyimah – Malaria-Free Zone. Adopted by Robert and Susan Bishop.” The villagers broke into traditional song and dancing as soon as they saw us. They led us to the village center, where the chief and the traditional council had gathered. A disc jockey had been hired for the presentation ceremony. The loud speakers boomed with thunderous music.

He thanked the Robert and Susan Bishop, the Hedge Funds community and the Free Africa Foundation for adopting and ridding their village of mosquitoes. The chief also mentioned other amenities the villagers were desperately in need of – such as clean water, electricity, health clinic, and a primary school.

A Cross-Section of the Crowd (2)

In a short speech in English, which was translated into the vernacular by Mr. Owusu, I thanked the chief, the traditional council and the villagers for their warm welcome. I assured them that their additional needs have been noted and will pass their requests on to the sponsors. However, I stressed in my address to the village gathering that the bed nets were not to be sold. The villagers – especially the children – were to sleep in them. I also stressed the importance of the villagers taking the initiative themselves to improve sanitation at the village and not sit back, expecting the government or some American benefactor to come and do it for them. As an incentive to get them to help themselves, I indicated to them that I would be more than willing to consider any projects they start themselves that are aimed at malaria-eradication in their village.

In every village we visited, the people complained about politicians and government officials who take them for a ride. They only come to the villages at election time to make vain and empty promises. As soon as the elections are over, they vanish into thin air – never to be seen again until the next election cycle.

I instructed the villagers to become more politically active and that they should demand to know from political candidates what they have done for the villages. If their answers are not satisfactory, they should not vote for them.

I also took the occasion to chastise African politicians and heads of state to respond to the plight of the people they claim to serve to salvage the continent from its economic doldrums. African leaders and politicians need to cultivate the culture of service to the people and stop jostling for positions. “One does not necessarily need to become or assume the position of a president before he should render such needing services to his country and people,” I said. “In fact, anyone who claims he can solve a problem after becoming president is the least qualified to be one,” I continued. I charged the villagers to be bold in asking all presidential aspirants who approach them the question of what they have been able to do for the people before considering voting for them. I was surprised when the villagers applauded thunderously, signifying that they were far more politically sophisticated than I gave them credit for.

In a rapturous ceremony, I presented the ITNs and anti-malarial medication to the chief for distribution to the villagers. Newspaper reporters snapped pictures, while television cameras were rolling.

A brood of young children in traditional garb was ushered into the village square. On cue, they broke into a splendid traditional dance. It seemed they had rehearsed it well and I watched in admiration. I was urged to join them – an invitation I found very hard – diplomatically – to refuse. However, my bashfulness evaporated when the entire village joined in.

George B.N. Ayittey, Ph.D.

September 8, 2006