Africa

About the Book

Why is Africa, the cradle of Mankind, the second largest and second most populous continent in the world, endowed with abundant natural and mineral resources, the poorest on our planet? Who or what are responsible for this sad situation? Are the colonialists alone to blame? What has been the input of Africans in bringing about this predicament? Any viable and realistic solutions to the present and future daunting challenges or is the great continent consigned to decades of more deprivation ignorance, human misery and diseases? These are some of the pertinent questions that the author has tried to grapple with. He attempts to make the case that it is quite feasible in fifty years for all countries in Africa to be at least in the middle income group if certain actions and programs are adopted. Some views in this book may be found distressing and uncomfortable but they are meant hopefully to assist move Africa forward, so that the great continent of Africa as soon as realistically possible stops being the beneficiary of external aid, largesse and compassion.

About the Author

Joseph Godson Amamoo was born and educated in Ghana, went to UK to study medicine but frustrated by fate turned to Law. Was called to the English Bar and later in Ghana. Worked in Ghana as a science teacher and journalist. In Britain he was the first black newspaper correspondent in 1958-1960, followed as the first public relations Advisor to the Ghana Embassy in London. Later at the age of 28, was appointed Ghana’s first ambassador to Hungary and the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna, Austria thus becoming one of the youngest ambassadors in the world. This was followed by a brief period of rest (unemployment) in London, work as editor and owner of the monthly African Review and then for about eleven years race equality officer/mediation officer for the London Borough of Hackney. Taking early retirement, he moved to Chicago, where for five years he taught Social Studies at Kennedy-King College. Finally returning to Ghana after an absence of 25 years was appointed chairman of the board of the state owned diamond mine at Akwatia. With the dissolution of the board in Feb. 2009 he returned to law practice and then to London in late 2010. Before his fifteen months, very challenging and unpleasant stint as a political prisoner in Ghana in 1972-3, he had been editor of Ghana’s leading newspaper, The Ghanaian Times, and deputy government minister for Health and later for Lands and Mineral Resources. He has been married to a great and outstanding Irish lady for over fifty-two years and they have two married daughters, both barristers, with five children between them. Additionally, the author has ten sons, (with two on the way) but they reside in bookshops, libraries, in other people’s homes and on the internet. Joseph Godson Amamoo has travelled extensively in Africa, America, Europe, India and Saudi Arabia. His interests are classical music, museums, art galleries, boxing, walking and travelling.