The New Force leader reflects on the disparity in support between foreign and local events and the need for a mindset shift.
In a recent appearance on TV3’s Newday, Nana Kwame Bediako, leader of The New Force, expressed deep concern over the challenges faced by local initiatives in Ghana. Specifically, he discussed the abrupt cancellation of “The Convention,” a public lecture event organized under the New Africa Foundation brand, highlighting the stark difference in support between foreign and local endeavors.
Bediako began by acknowledging the success of foreign-led events in Ghana, noting, “They raised $4 billion in doing three of these events in three different countries. However, they did not leave anything behind for us, Ghanaians. They took the Global Citizen with them, they took the donations with them.” Despite the significant financial outcomes of these events, Bediako emphasized the lack of tangible benefits to the local community.
Highlighting the disparity in reception, Bediako pointed out the widespread support foreign events often receive compared to local initiatives. He observed, “The whole country went. These white people that had come from somewhere else in the world to do an event in our country. Our leaders were there, our elders were there, our youth were there.” In contrast, the New Africa Foundation’s convention, which aimed to bring together influential Africans with decades-long commitments to the continent’s progress, faced considerable challenges.
Addressing the cancellation of the convention, Bediako lamented the obstacles encountered by the speakers and organizers. He remarked, “Now watch how all of us were attacked. The speakers were attacked, the speakers were attacked in a way, not attacked as violently, but they were stopped, it was canceled. You know, we were restricted, we were pushed away from doing it.”
The underlying issue, as Bediako sees it, lies in the mindset of Africans towards their own initiatives. He passionately stated, “When is Africans going to wake up that we are destroying our own? We are against our own. Anything that is good that is amongst ourselves, we find problems with it, even from our product that is made by ourselves to everything.”
Concluding his reflection, Bediako called for a transformative change in mindset, emphasizing the importance of supporting local and continental initiatives. He stressed the need to appreciate and embrace initiatives like the New Africa Foundation’s convention, which aim to foster dialogue, collaboration, and progress within Africa.
As Ghana continues to navigate its path towards development and growth, Bediako’s insights serve as a poignant reminder of the importance of supporting local initiatives and fostering a collective mindset geared towards uplifting the continent.