Author: wittyadmin

While our Narcoqueens and Godfathers are busy begging mining companies for crumbs from our own gold, Mali just showed the world how to collect rent in your own house! That’s right – they didn’t just ask politely. They grabbed the mining company by its profit margins and squeezed until $160 million fell out! The Mining Company Game: A Village Tale Let me explain how these mining companies usually play us. Imagine your tenant living in your house, selling your own yams from your backyard. They then tell you they can’t pay rent because “the yam business isn’t profitable. Meanwhile, they’re…

Let’s assume I was born white in North Devon, England. Now, take it easy: being born Black in the exact location is not the same, but I digress. I am talking about coming from a family whose wealth is at least 300 years old. We are linked to the East India Company, slave ships, and colonial investments. Would I privately curse my ancestors for their role in slavery and colonisation? Would I lose sleep over the blood-soaked foundations of my comfortable life? Let me serve you some truth hotter than African pepper soup: Not a chance! Hear me before you…

For Trump, Africa is either a deal to be made or a problem to be ignored—there is nothing in between. Unlike previous American presidents who dressed colonialism in aid packages, Trump’s transactional worldview strips away diplomatic niceties. As our ancestors noted, ‘A snake you can see cannot bite.’ His unfiltered approach forces Africa to confront three realities that could reshape our future. Before we explore these opportunities, consider this: While U.S.-Africa trade plummeted 60% under Trump’s first term, Africa’s response has been remarkable. The African Continental Free Trade Area, our most ambitious economic project, is set to increase intra-African trade…

As our ancestors taught us, “When two elephants fight, it’s the grass that suffers.” Today, dear African brothers and sisters, we watch America’s political elephants stampede toward the White House while our continent lies in their path like savannah grass in the dry season. In one corner stands Donald Trump, the Manhattan Mogul with a selective memory for racial justice. His previous African policy could be summarised as “Where’s the profit?” On the other, Kamala Harris, California’s Chameleon Queen. Americans continue to debate her African roots as if to say that California did not keep records at the time of…

Every tweet cursing Africa’s hardships or corruption, every Post lamenting African poverty, every casual conversation damning African leadership – they all add up. The math is simple: our negative narratives cost Africa 4.2 billion American dollars yearly in inflated interest rates. We’re paying a premium to confirm our oppressors’ bias. I. Introduction: The Roar of Reality While we’re busy airing our dirty laundry for the world to see, the West is dancing offbeat to the bank. Our self-flagellation isn’t just a harmless exercise in honesty—it’s costing us billions—that’s right, billions with a ‘B’. Our penchant for negative narratives isn’t just…

We’ve been busy pointing fingers at President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, calling him rude, arrogant, and dismissive. The question is, do we have any right to make these accusations? Before you start yelling “Ei!” and directing your thumb at me, as my Ga brothers would, let’s take a good, hard look in the mirror. We might see that the president serves us a taste of our kenkey. The real question is—are we ready to change the way we see authority, or are we just looking for a scapegoat? While this piece focuses on Ghana, it explores the tension between traditional respect for…

Autumn, 27th September 1848. The New York Daily Herald vividly depicted the ‘Extraordinary Condition of Affairs’ in California’s gold fields, where farmers abandoned ploughs, businessmen closed shops, and ordinary people risked everything for unimaginable wealth. Today, 176 years later, history repeats itself in Ghana’s Galamsey—illegal gold mining that promises similar riches and curses. As we journey from the Sierra Nevada to the Pra River, three reincarnated spirits guide us: The Investor (George Hearst), The Official (Thomas Butler King), and The Common Person (John D. Sloat). They iterate their destinies in Ghana’s hills and rivers with higher stakes and dire consequences. The Golden…

The telephone’s shrill cry at 2 a.m. jolted me awake. My mother’s name flashed on the screen, igniting instant panic. “Mum, what’s wrong?” I gasped. “Nii Nii,” she hissed, her voice a mixture of fury and concern, “Why is Nigeria Frankenstein?” For a moment, I was gobsmacked. Then it dawned on me – my latest article had reached her WhatsApp group. I suppressed a chuckle, remembering the day my eccentric uncle gifted me Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein” for my 15th birthday. Mum had been convinced he’d lost his marbles, likely from that mango tree fall years ago where he banged his…

In Part I, we journeyed through Nigeria’s rich pre-colonial history, from the ancient Nok civilisation to the mighty empires that shaped the region. We witnessed the arrival of colonial powers and the forced birth of modern Nigeria. Let’s explore how this complex heritage has influenced Nigeria’s post-independence journey. Now, let’s dive into the rollercoaster ride of modern Nigeria. Buckle up 1960-1966: The First Republic As we journey through Nigeria’s post-independence history, remember that each twist and turn shape the nation we see today. Crisis strikes. Renewal follows. Each cycle scars the nation, shapes institutions, and moulds the collective psyche. Military…

Have you ever considered how remarkable Nigerians are nearly everywhere in the world? So why is Nigeria dysfunctional as a country? Why do we refer to her as the sleeping giant? Nigeria’s journey is not a national narrative. It’s a continental imperative. Why do I say that? Well, because Nigeria’s failure or success impacts every African. Nigeria sits between the Sahel and the Atlantic Ocean, making it a natural crossroads for trade, culture, and ideas across Africa. Nigeria’s giant status in Africa is not a metaphor: it’s the continent’s most populous nation, an economic powerhouse, and a cultural juggernaut. Imagine…