I was very impressed with Dr. Maathai's book, "The Challenge for Africa". This was not just a book of complaints about Africa but also a book of solutions, ideas and suggestions for a greater and more inclusive populace. Africa's problems are numerous and complex and should be solved by Africans. The book reiterated that some nations are on the brink of collapse due to corruption, gross mismanagement and lack of the peoples' trust and faith in African leadership--this is one of Africa's biggest challenges.
I was particular pleased to read the juxtaposition of the "tradition" vs "modern" culture and how African culture was obliterated by the Europeans causing untold psychological and emotional damage. The lines drawn by the Europeans, in the late 19th century, to designate their domain, divided ethnic groups and destroyed family ties that existed for centuries. After the colonial period, the European system of governance was not suited for nor appropriately designed for African nations to use as a political template.
The vivid description of the micro-nation she described was extremely interesting. The "ethnic typing" correlates to the "kinship corporation" identified by Dr. Peter Ekeh where allegiance and loyalty are more associated with the "micro-nation"(tribes) than with the nation-state or "macro-nation".
Monetary gifts sent to assist African leaders in resolving the myriad of issues and problems have not worked. Dr. Maathai calls for African leaders to reject these "handouts". Further, she advocated that the political process include rural people to assist in building stronger infrastructures; economic, social and political.
One of the key highlights of the book is Dr. Maathai's vision and commitment to the environment which revealed information that should be widely disseminated. Her analysis of the deforestation in Africa's Congo Basin and the linkage to the Rain Forest in Brazil may be the cause for the unusual climatic conditions in many parts of the world. Her remarkable leadership in the Green Belt Movement played a key role in the planting of over a billion trees in Kenya and is a vital part of the structure for introducing farmers to proper techniques in soil conservation, crop rotation and diversification.
Globalization has had a negative impact on locally-grown products which have had limited success in competing with mass-produced goods distributed by transnational corporations. The African market place is the centerpiece for economic and political activities in most countries and has been unfairly affected by the international markets.
Dr. Maathai's book is a must read for those wanting to learn more and to know more about Africa and the challenges facing this huge and diverse continent.
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Top reviews from other countries
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Fantastic - written by an African Nobel prize winner
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Good governance and self sustenance is the way forward
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