It is rare to see an African speak up about Africa the way Komla Dumor has done in the video below…
His presentation is exceptionally interesting.
The reason why I’ve decide to share this video is the fact that he ended his presentation by confirming what I have always argued and tried to let some people understand about Western media networks like the BBC, CNN and others when it comes to the issues of Africa.
I have always stated that, these Western media networks are not ‘obliged’ though ethically expected, to sing the praises of Africa-give major highlights to the good things happening in Africa.
If anything at all, they would rather spend millions to cover our problems since they are not obliged to act otherwise. It is our obligation (not theirs) to tell our own stories, especially the improvements and success stories.
This reminds me of the arguments I made when One-Direction tweeted about the poverty they saw during their recent visit to Ghana. Why would they want to highlight on the luxurious lifestyle of certain Ghanaians when they were not there for that purpose and secondly, it is not even their duty to sell our success stories. We have celebrities and they should do that…
It is the duty of the African to tell his or her own story, not any western established media house or western celebrity.
In summarizing his presentation, Komla Dumor wisely said ‘the narrative would always glorify the hunter until the lion itself learns how to write’.
Africa is the lion and the hunter refers to all those non-Africa media houses, personalities and establishments.
Watch the video below
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfJn8HCKO8g
Absolutely fantastic talk by Komla! He’s truly eloquent. I never knew he was Phillip Gbeho’s grandson! I think it’s time Africa media minds put their heads together to develop a news network or a TV network for Africa so that we can tell our own stories. Our movie industry must also tell our stories & showcase the positive sides of our continents as Hollywood did for the U.S.A. In the interim, it’s fine for us to protest when anyone (be it a news network or charity workers like One Direction?) tries to stereotype our continent. Sometimes, such protests can force the international media to alter their biased stories (like how E network withdrew it’s story describing Accra as a village after One Direction’s visit when Ghanaians left protest comments on their website)
Again you have contradicted yourself, if you agree that Africans should tell their own stories and not leave it to the western media to do so on our behalf, why do you have such a big problem with people singing praises for their country (Ghana)? You claim people who promote the positive are blind and dillusional, just for choosing to talk qnd promote the postive side of this country. Do right now what should we do eeh? i conf sef. Half your post are focused on the negative since you believe that is the true state ofaffairs of the country(your opinion) So who then tells the positive,because for you it’s almost non existent? Half your post are focus on bashing Africans,celebs etc, and using words which I wonder what kind of journalism school thought you that (oops my bad, you didn’t go to journalism school). So Mr.Know It All writer, be the change you want to see. And oh, I came on here thinking it was an entertainment website, why the sudden shift? maybe you should create another site for all this, it’s getting quite tiring..
@Ajoa, Another useless fool on here if you do not like what the site owners put on here, you find a new place to go and not tell them what to put here. some of us enjoy it all. and why do ghanaians think every journalist must go to a journalism school? tell me what journalism school did the guy in the presentation go-Komla Dumor? he did not go to any.
Gc some of us love the diversity on here and those who do not like it can find another place to go
@lily, Then Chris should stop bashing actors for not going to acting school..
feeling patriotic:) He makes a food point about consultants, far too often we ignore the working class in economic mayyers in the Western media platform …when given the chance A Head Gisherman can break it down for you unlike a educated maestro. at the end of the day, education is keybut conscipusness thinking outside the box is lacking in western media as it pertains to Africa
to ne frank BBC has a long way to go itself, I think AlJezeera English does more to ensure the African balance
hmmm very deep