Africa is future economic engine not a ‘shithole’

ITREALMS:

The African Leadership Magazine (ALM) has expressed deep disappointment over the rather unfortunate comment attributed to the President of the United States of America (USA), Mr. Donald Trump, which described Africa as a "shithole" as widely reported in the media, reports ITRealms.

The Group Managing Editor, at ALM, Mr. Kingsley Okeke told ITRealms that instead of seeing Africa as such, that Mr. Trump should see Africa more as the future economic growth engine of the world.

ALM in a press statement also made available to ITRealms, noted that the aforesaid comment is very unfortunate, and displays a posturing of a person that is not in tune with prevailing realities.

According to Okeke, available data has proven time and again, that Africa is a resource-rich continent, which has consistently rewarded American companies doing business on the continent.

Experts, he said, have projected that Sub-Saharan Africa, will reach a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of $29 trillion by 2050.

“The continent is also arguably blessed with some of the most outstanding human resource on the planet today, plying their trades in very key strategic roles globally,” he said.

Decrying that to describe the generality of the continent as a whole in such derogatory parlance is generalization and freedom of expression taken too far.

“Certainly, a continent that has experienced growth, with over one-third of Sub-Saharan African countries posting 6 per cent or higher growth rates annually, and another 40 per cent growing between 4 per cent to 6 per cent per year, cannot be a "shithole".

“A continent, described by international business observers as the future economic growth engine of the world, is definitely not a "shithole."

ALM, therefore urged President Trump, when next he is in search of a narrative for the continent to consider these indices, as well as the 1.8 Million African in diaspora, that are contributing to the growth of the American economy.

“And we call on all people of good conscience to condemn this denigration of our beloved continent, while thanking the American people who have risen up to condemn this attack on Africa - the cradle of civilization. We hope that President realizes his error and retracts this statement,” Okeke concluded.

Nonye Dom/GEE

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