BBC News Updated every minute of every day

Added: Monday, 13 July, 2009, 24:36 GMT 01:36 UK

President Obama stopped too short of stricking those tender chords. His reference to Africa's bad RULERS as "strongmen" is like an exercise in kid-glove diplomacy. They should better be characterize as Africa's corrupt/murderous RULERS because that's what some of them really are. President Obama should have better told it as it is for Africa's youths to be "fired up" to sieze their destiny. We know the list of these rulers could be pretty long. Otherwise it could take a long, long time

EMEKA, LAUREL, MARYLAND U.S.A

Added: Monday, 13 July, 2009, 24:31 GMT 01:31 UK

Other newsgroups are now strongly debating the issue...

...on what basis does President Obama actually justify this African Vacation for himself and his family at the expense of the American Tax-Payer?

Having hitherto been an ardent supporter of his, I am getting a wee bit aggrieved about my tax dollars being spent in this way.

How will the populace of the Americas benefit?

What's in it for the working man?

This is just not right.

Kevin Ritch, NY - a vantage point to see global inequality and at last, begin to share the experience., United States

Added: Monday, 13 July, 2009, 24:23 GMT 01:23 UK

Some cable news channels in the States are saying that Obama insulted Ghanians with his comments. How? He essentially said that they (and other African countries) are responsible for their own futures. The U.S. can't be the global policeman anymore.

T, Kansas City

Added: Sunday, 12 July, 2009, 23:28 GMT 00:28 UK

No, Obama can never change American policy completely towards Africa in his time of presidency, but I am sure that he will be able to put forward some positive steps in improving health and peaceful resolution of conflicts in that continent. Democracy which is mostly related to economic, military, social , political and environmental conditions in that continent, needs other factors too, as: free and fair press, strong parliaments/institutions, and healthy, independent judiciary systems.

Gholamhosain Tasbihi, Tabriz, Iran

Added: Sunday, 12 July, 2009, 21:30 GMT 22:30 UK

Yes i agree because i really think president Obama can affect some of the policies we have in Africa

Olorunsiwa Shola, Kaduna, Nigeria, Nigeria

Added: Sunday, 12 July, 2009, 21:05 GMT 22:05 UK

Free stuff for the African ruling class!!!! *

*At the cost of putting my great, great, great grandchildren in debt so that this incompetent narcissist can look like the worlds savior. Do us a favor Ghana, keep him.
champagne_socialists

Listen to Obama's arguments. Western money spent on effective and appropriate aid to Africa is in the economic and security interests of Westerners (as well as Africans). In my opinion, this is a much clearer than the case for much of our defence spending.

Charlie Hogg, London, United Kingdom

Added: Sunday, 12 July, 2009, 21:00 GMT 22:00 UK

Perhaps only Obama can give the tough love message African nations need.

Yes, the colonial past affects the political climate of today, but the US was colonized, India was colonized, England has been colonized repeatedly. As Obama has said, not all problems of Africa can be laid at the feet of the developed world.

Just a hint for African nations….Those countries who have based their court systems on British Common law seem to have fared best in creating stable civil societies.

[Faheyclone], Peru, United States

Added: Sunday, 12 July, 2009, 20:58 GMT 21:58 UK

There's enough illiterates there that they would probably believe anything that rolls off his lips.It's sad that they don't have the opportunity to talk to someone from the U.S. and find out how he has screwed up this country in such a short length of time.He's truly one of those rare guys that likes to hear himself talk and believes half of what he says too.If the truth was known,he probably talks in his sleep,has his little so-called dreams and then wakes up with a "vision".He's a real nutjob.

Clay Bryant, Elwood Indiana

Added: Sunday, 12 July, 2009, 20:49 GMT 21:49 UK

The political instability, corruption, crime, ethnic violence, and poverty need to be dealt with in a civilized manner, before Africa can get the respect it wants. John Gonzalez, Philadelphia, PA

All this talk of political instability and corruption in Africa is more condescending than what Obama said. There are 1000's of stories of these things in US and west in recent history (think Iraq, Oil ..) Most of his speech is good advice to all countries, not condescension or apology.

Charlie, London

Added: Sunday, 12 July, 2009, 20:37 GMT 21:37 UK

The more I watch Obama, the more I feel he is in a movie about the presidency, as every move is so well staged for effect.
Even his wife travels with her own make up artist applying false eyelashes and hair extensions etc.

He is either the best actor around or he actually believes he is dealing with the economy at home, as he is committing to aid that he has to borrow from China.

Courting celebrity status, popularity etc does not translate into problem solving, that bubble is bursting.

Bill Cook, Hamiliton, Bermuda

Added: Sunday, 12 July, 2009, 20:33 GMT 21:33 UK

Africa will never flourish unless they get rid of war lords like Robert Mugabe and maybe then they can run their countries like their neighbours in North Africa e.g. Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria, Egypt and Lybia.

Frankie, Belfast

Added: Sunday, 12 July, 2009, 20:31 GMT 21:31 UK

Obama's visit to Africa just confirms his intentions to do something better than George Bush.

Eder Medina, Lima,Peru

Added: Sunday, 12 July, 2009, 20:30 GMT 21:30 UK

Why is Africa the only continent that has not got itself into the modern world...dont blame the West it is up to themselves to get going ..that is what the West did many years ago...is it that all the clever people move away because the local corruption stiffles the growth of trade or is there just a lazy attitude towards progress...I think there is too much aid and that gets in the way of progress...hold your hand out for your food and there is no need to work for it

[oldsitkaspruce]

Added: Sunday, 12 July, 2009, 20:29 GMT 21:29 UK

The trouble with the idea that 'Africa should take care of it's own destiny' idea is that corrupt and ruthless power elites end up taking care of that destiny instead...the end result being the regimes of murderous and vicious dictators,along with continual militarisation,genocide and civil war which have destroyed so many of the post colonial dreams of many of these societies..

Lee Brown, Thornhill

Added: Sunday, 12 July, 2009, 20:27 GMT 21:27 UK

As President Obama has pointed out, and was pointed out by Dambisa Moyo in her writings...the problem with Aid to Africa is Africa. A lack of governance, bribery, and slavery still in some parts of Africa. UNICEF estimates that 200,000 children from the west coast of Africa region are sold into slavery each year. Many of these children are from Benin and Togo, and are sold into the domestic, agricultural, and sex industries in neighboring countries such as Nigeria and Gabon. Africa heal thy self

George Tse, Bradenton FL