The forest was shrinking, but all the trees kept voting for the axe because its handle was made of wood and they thought it was one of them. We seem to be at a standstill in our economic and mental development. We live in a generation where the small thieves are vilified and the big thieves are praised 24/7. This leads to what Ghana’s own Prof Allotey describes as the “Hippos and Cheetah’s” of Africa.
The hippo is the kind that is liked by all and sundry. They sit down aloof and let things flow in their own ‘spontaneous’ rhythm. These types of people are the ones who benefit from acts of corrupt officials. Politicians are the capos of this group. They believe theirs is to spectate not to be actively involved. The emerging generation of young Africans is cheetahs. They get bored of the monopoly of the hippos. As a matter of fact, they believe that if things must be done they must be done and done well else we will be done.
“Cheetahs are the new and angry generation of young African graduates and professionals, who look at African issues and problems from a totally different and unique perspective. They are dynamic, intellectually agile and pragmatic.” The cheetah generation believes in hard work. I respect all cheetahs but I really admire them, realists. This breed of folks is sometimes perceived to be negative but in truth, they assess a situation as it is without involving emotions. They understand how essential ideas and goals shape the world. Their aim is to improve the world not through fantasy but with facts and past events. With this serving as their guidelines, they believe in surpassing their old selves to being better persons.
They are smart and don’t give up easily notwithstanding challenges. We may trip and fall countless times but let’s remember that we get only “had I knowns” from giving up. The future is definitely bright but let us not fantasize and daydream. Let’s put correct measures to make ourselves better and the world a better place.
…these are the thoughts of a young black boy…
