The reason why i call this blog Positive Africa is simple. Two true stories will make it clear.

One: In 1999 i was in Botswana where I met this guy from one of the Scandnavian Countries. He had come to Africa as an Occassional Student to borrow Ethan’s terminology (he got from Ghana). The guy knew very littlle about Africa and all negative. We stayed together for three months or so. A night before his depature back to his country we had a dinner together with a number of other friends as well. Little to know that the young man will tell us what he knew about Africa. He starts: “My friends, i have been here with you for about three months, tomorrow i have to go back home, but allow me to thank you for everything we have been sharing together. Before I came to Africa, i was thinking a lot of things; one where will I sleep, I knew in Africa people are still sleeping in the forest so I had prepared myself for that. Indeed I did not expect to get a nice place to sleep like this”. We were all so shocked and no body commented.

Two: In 2004 -South Africa, I made another friend but this time from one of the Poorest Asian country. He had come to Africa for the first time. He tells me the story similar to the above, that when coming he was told by the member of his families to carry food, ports and almost everything for the simple reason that Africa is still dark, no food, nothing interesting. He was shocked when he landed here and compare with his country.

Africa has been potrayed negatively. Yes Africa has a lot of problems but there are some positive remarks one should not forget to mention.

Merck, the manufacturer of Vioxx, drugs which caused problems to users has been ordered to pay $253 million to the one of the many people who in a one way or another affected with its use (the husband died). The drug cartels usually put profits ahead of human life. Thousands more people will come foward to sue the company. What next after Vioxx? Is it going to be Nevirapine and other ARV’s? Who knows? The only problems with ARVs is that many clients are in Africa. And who cares in Africa? If you read publications on the side effects of these drugs you may be forced to suspect that what happen with Vioxx cannot be avoided. Its a matter of time, but who will help the users in Africa anyway? You may wish to read a book by Anthon Brink tittled: Trouble with Nevirapine.