Breath of Crimson Sunset!

Soft velvet shadows cast,
Is this life, or is it death?
This shimmering veil
Of flickering candle,
A whispered breath of crimson sunset.

Upon a thought my dreams did rest,
As the cooler air of darkness crept,
The night did seep,
Silent and deep,
Within a moonlit caress.

I saw you watching me
From the edge of infinity,
From a cornered glance,
I read romance,
From the prose of cool summer breeze.

I tasted the warm softness of your lips,
Felt your caressing fingertips,
I felt allured,
Within your power,
The power of a tender kiss.

We chased rainbows in the dead of night,
Licked by flickering candlelight,
Floating through mists,
Of swirling twists,
Blurred in ecstatic delight.

I felt furled in your embrace,
I felt our spirits rise,
To fly, to soar
Away, forevermore,
In the blush of morning sunrise.

Lay once more within my arms,
Oh how I long for your return,
On a peaceful breath
Of crimson sunset,
Within the memory of a silken dream.

OBAMA’S SPEECH AT THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE CENTRE IN ACCRA, GHANA

Good morning. It is an honor for me to be in Accra, and to speak to the representatives of the people of Ghana. I am deeply grateful for the welcome that I've received, as are Michelle, Malia and Sasha Obama. Ghana's history is rich, the ties between our two countries are strong, and I am proud that this is my first visit to sub-Saharan Africa as President of the United States.

I am speaking to you at the end of a long trip. I began in Russia, for a Summit between two great powers. I traveled to Italy, for a meeting of the world's leading economies. And I have come here, to Ghana, for a simple reason: the 21st century will be shaped by what happens not just in Rome or Moscow or Washington, but by what happens in Accra as well.

This is the simple truth of a time when the boundaries between people are overwhelmed by our connections. Your prosperity can expand America's. Your health and security can contribute to the world's. And the strength of your democracy can help advance human rights for people everywhere.

So I do not see the countries and peoples of Africa as a world apart; I see Africa as a fundamental part of our interconnected world — as partners with America on behalf of the future that we want for all our children. That partnership must be grounded in mutual responsibility, and that is what I want to speak with you about today.

We must start from the simple premise that Africa's future is up to Africans.

I say this knowing full well the tragic past that has sometimes haunted this part of the world. I have the blood of Africa within me, and my family's own story encompasses both the tragedies and triumphs of the larger African story.

My grandfather was a cook for the British in Kenya, and though he was a respected elder in his village, his employers called him "boy" for much of his life. He was on the periphery of Kenya's liberation struggles, but he was still imprisoned briefly during repressive times. In his life, colonialism wasn't simply the creation of unnatural borders or unfair terms of trade — it was something experienced personally, day after day, year after year.

My father grew up herding goats in a tiny village, an impossible distance away from the American universities where he would come to get an education. He came of age at an extraordinary moment of promise for Africa. The struggles of his own father's generation were giving birth to new nations, beginning right here in Ghana. Africans were educating and asserting themselves in new ways. History was on the move.

But despite the progress that has been made — and there has been considerable progress in parts of Africa — we also know that much of that promise has yet to be fulfilled. Countries like Kenya, which had a per capita economy larger than South Korea's when I was born, have been badly outpaced. Disease and conflict have ravaged parts of the African continent. In many places, the hope of my father's generation gave way to cynicism, even despair.

It is easy to point fingers, and to pin the blame for these problems on others. Yes, a colonial map that made little sense bred conflict, and the West has often approached Africa as a patron, rather than a partner. But the West is not responsible for the destruction of the Zimbabwean economy over the last decade, or wars in which children are enlisted as combatants. In my father's life, it was partly tribalism and patronage in an independent Kenya that for a long stretch derailed his career, and we know that this kind of corruption is a daily fact of life for far too many.

Of course, we also know that is not the whole story. Here in Ghana, you show us a face of Africa that is too often overlooked by a world that sees only tragedy or the need for charity. The people of Ghana have worked hard to put democracy on a firmer footing, with peaceful transfers of power even in the wake of closely contested elections. And with improved governance and an emerging civil society, Ghana's economy has shown impressive rates of growth.

This progress may lack the drama of the 20th century's liberation struggles, but make no mistake: it will ultimately be more significant. For just as it is important to emerge from the control of another nation, it is even more important to build one's own.

So I believe that this moment is just as promising for Ghana — and for Africa — as the moment when my father came of age and new nations were being born. This is a new moment of promise. Only this time, we have learned that it will not be giants like Nkrumah and Kenyatta who will determine Africa's future. Instead, it will be you — the men and women in Ghana's Parliament, and the people you represent. Above all, it will be the young people — brimming with talent and energy and hope — who can claim the future that so many in my father's generation never found.

To realize that promise, we must first recognize a fundamental truth that you have given life to in Ghana: development depends upon good governance. That is the ingredient which has been missing in far too many places, for far too long. That is the change that can unlock Africa's potential. And that is a responsibility that can only be met by Africans.

As for America and the West, our commitment must be measured by more than just the dollars we spend. I have pledged substantial increases in our foreign assistance, which is in Africa's interest and America's. But the true sign of success is not whether we are a source of aid that helps people scrape by — it is whether we are partners in building the capacity for transformational change.

This mutual responsibility must be the foundation of our partnership. And today, I will focus on four areas that are critical to the future of Africa and the entire developing world: democracy; opportunity; health; and the peaceful resolution of conflict.

First, we must support strong and sustainable democratic governments.

As I said in Cairo, each nation gives life to democracy in its own way, and in line with its own traditions. But history offers a clear verdict: governments that respect the will of their own people are more prosperous, more stable and more successful than governments that do not.

This is about more than holding elections — it's also about what happens between them. Repression takes many forms, and too many nations are plagued by problems that condemn their people to poverty. No country is going to create wealth if its leaders exploit the economy to enrich themselves, or police can be bought off by drug traffickers. No business wants to invest in a place where the government skims 20 percent off the top, or the head of the port authority is corrupt. No person wants to live in a society where the rule of law gives way to the rule of brutality and bribery. That is not democracy, that is tyranny, and now is the time for it to end.

In the 21st century, capable, reliable and transparent institutions are the key to success — strong parliaments and honest police forces; independent judges and journalists; a vibrant private sector and civil society. Those are the things that give life to democracy, because that is what matters in peoples' lives.

Time and again, Ghanaians have chosen Constitutional rule over autocracy, and shown a democratic spirit that allows the energy of your people to break through. We see that in leaders who accept defeat graciously, and victors who resist calls to wield power against the opposition. We see that spirit in courageous journalists like Anas Aremeyaw Anas, who risked his life to report the truth. We see it in police like Patience Quaye, who helped prosecute the first human trafficker in Ghana. We see it in the young people who are speaking up against patronage and participating in the political process.

Across Africa, we have seen countless examples of people taking control of their destiny and making change from the bottom up. We saw it in Kenya, where civil society and business came together to help stop postelection violence. We saw it in South Africa, where over three quarters of the country voted in the recent election — the fourth since the end of apartheid. We saw it in Zimbabwe, where the Election Support Network braved brutal repression to stand up for the principle that a person's vote is their sacred right.

Make no mistake: history is on the side of these brave Africans and not with those who use coups or change Constitutions to stay in power. Africa doesn't need strongmen, it needs strong institutions.

America will not seek to impose any system of government on any other nation — the essential truth of democracy is that each nation determines its own destiny. What we will do is increase assistance for responsible individuals and institutions, with a focus on supporting good governance — on parliaments, which check abuses of power and ensure that opposition voices are heard; on the rule of law, which ensures the equal administration of justice; on civic participation, so that young people get involved; and on concrete solutions to corruption like forensic accounting, automating services, strengthening hot lines and protecting whistle-blowers to advance transparency and accountability.

As we provide this support, I have directed my administration to give greater attention to corruption in our human rights report. People everywhere should have the right to start a business or get an education without paying a bribe. We have a responsibility to support those who act responsibly and to isolate those who don't, and that is exactly what America will do.

This leads directly to our second area of partnership — supporting development that provides opportunity for more people.

With better governance, I have no doubt that Africa holds the promise of a broader base for prosperity. The continent is rich in natural resources. And from cell phone entrepreneurs to small farmers, Africans have shown the capacity and commitment to create their own opportunities. But old habits must also be broken. Dependence on commodities — or on a single export — concentrates wealth in the hands of the few and leaves people too vulnerable to downturns.

In Ghana, for instance, oil brings great opportunities, and you have been responsible in preparing for new revenue. But as so many Ghanaians know, oil cannot simply become the new cocoa. From South Korea to Singapore, history shows that countries thrive when they invest in their people and infrastructure; when they promote multiple export industries, develop a skilled work force and create space for small and medium-sized businesses that create jobs.

As Africans reach for this promise, America will be more responsible in extending our hand. By cutting costs that go to Western consultants and administration, we will put more resources in the hands of those who need it, while training people to do more for themselves. That is why our $3.5 billion food security initiative is focused on new methods and technologies for farmers — not simply sending American producers or goods to Africa. Aid is not an end in itself. The purpose of foreign assistance must be creating the conditions where it is no longer needed.

America can also do more to promote trade and investment. Wealthy nations must open our doors to goods and services from Africa in a meaningful way. And where there is good governance, we can broaden prosperity through public-private partnerships that invest in better roads and electricity; capacity-building that trains people to grow a business; and financial services that reach poor and rural areas. This is also in our own interest — for if people are lifted out of poverty and wealth is created in Africa, new markets will open for our own goods.

One area that holds out both undeniable peril and extraordinary promise is energy. Africa gives off less greenhouse gas than any other part of the world, but it is the most threatened by climate change. A warming planet will spread disease, shrink water resources and deplete crops, creating conditions that produce more famine and conflict. All of us — particularly the developed world — have a responsibility to slow these trends — through mitigation, and by changing the way that we use energy. But we can also work with Africans to turn this crisis into opportunity.

Together, we can partner on behalf of our planet and prosperity and help countries increase access to power while skipping the dirtier phase of development. Across Africa, there is bountiful wind and solar power; geothermal energy and bio-fuels. From the Rift Valley to the North African deserts; from the Western coast to South Africa's crops — Africa's boundless natural gifts can generate its own power, while exporting profitable, clean energy abroad.

These steps are about more than growth numbers on a balance sheet. They're about whether a young person with an education can get a job that supports a family; a farmer can transfer their goods to the market; or an entrepreneur with a good idea can start a business. It's about the dignity of work. Its about the opportunity that must exist for Africans in the 21st century.

Just as governance is vital to opportunity, it is also critical to the third area that I will talk about — strengthening public health.

In recent years, enormous progress has been made in parts of Africa. Far more people are living productively with HIV/AIDS, and getting the drugs they need. But too many still die from diseases that shouldn't kill them. When children are being killed because of a mosquito bite, and mothers are dying in childbirth, then we know that more progress must be made.

Yet because of incentives — often provided by donor nations — many African doctors and nurses understandably go overseas, or work for programs that focus on a single disease. This creates gaps in primary care and basic prevention. Meanwhile, individual Africans also have to make responsible choices that prevent the spread of disease, while promoting public health in their communities and countries.

Across Africa, we see examples of people tackling these problems. In Nigeria, an interfaith effort of Christians and Muslims has set an example of cooperation to confront malaria. Here in Ghana and across Africa, we see innovative ideas for filling gaps in care — for instance, through E-Health initiatives that allow doctors in big cities to support those in small towns.

America will support these efforts through a comprehensive, global health strategy. Because in the 21st century, we are called to act by our conscience and our common interest. When a child dies of a preventable illness in Accra, that diminishes us everywhere. And when disease goes unchecked in any corner of the world, we know that it can spread across oceans and continents.

That is why my administration has committed $63 billion to meet these challenges. Building on the strong efforts of President Bush, we will carry forward the fight against HIV/AIDS. We will pursue the goal of ending deaths from malaria and tuberculosis, and eradicating polio. We will fight neglected tropical disease. And we won't confront illnesses in isolation — we will invest in public health systems that promote wellness and focus on the health of mothers and children.

As we partner on behalf of a healthier future, we must also stop the destruction that comes not from illness, but from human beings — and so the final area that I will address is conflict.

Now let me be clear: Africa is not the crude caricature of a continent at war. But for far too many Africans, conflict is a part of life, as constant as the sun. There are wars over land and wars over resources. And it is still far too easy for those without conscience to manipulate whole communities into fighting among faiths and tribes.

These conflicts are a millstone around Africa's neck. We all have many identities — of tribe and ethnicity; of religion and nationality. But defining oneself in opposition to someone who belongs to a different tribe, or who worships a different prophet, has no place in the 21st century. Africa's diversity should be a source of strength, not a cause for division. We are all God's children. We all share common aspirations — to live in peace and security; to access education and opportunity; to love our families, our communities, and our faith. That is our common humanity.

That is why we must stand up to inhumanity in our midst. It is never justifiable to target innocents in the name of ideology. It is the death sentence of a society to force children to kill in wars. It is the ultimate mark of criminality and cowardice to condemn women to relentless and systematic rape. We must bear witness to the value of every child in Darfur and the dignity of every woman in Congo. No faith or culture should condone the outrages against them. All of us must strive for the peace and security necessary for progress.

Africans are standing up for this future. Here, too, Ghana is helping to point the way forward. Ghanaians should take pride in your contributions to peacekeeping from Congo to Liberia to Lebanon, and in your efforts to resist the scourge of the drug trade. We welcome the steps that are being taken by organizations like the African Union and ECOWAS to better resolve conflicts, keep the peace, and support those in need. And we encourage the vision of a strong, regional security architecture that can bring effective, transnational force to bear when needed.

America has a responsibility to advance this vision, not just with words, but with support that strengthens African capacity. When there is genocide in Darfur or terrorists in Somalia, these are not simply African problems — they are global security challenges, and they demand a global response. That is why we stand ready to partner through diplomacy, technical assistance, and logistical support, and will stand behind efforts to hold war criminals accountable. And let me be clear: our Africa Command is focused not on establishing a foothold in the continent, but on confronting these common challenges to advance the security of America, Africa and the world.

In Moscow, I spoke of the need for an international system where the universal rights of human beings are respected, and violations of those rights are opposed. That must include a commitment to support those who resolve conflicts peacefully, to sanction and stop those who don't, and to help those who have suffered. But ultimately, it will be vibrant democracies like Botswana and Ghana which roll back the causes of conflict, and advance the frontiers of peace and prosperity.

As I said earlier, Africa's future is up to Africans.

The people of Africa are ready to claim that future. In my country, African-Americans — including so many recent immigrants — have thrived in every sector of society. We have done so despite a difficult past, and we have drawn strength from our African heritage. With strong institutions and a strong will, I know that Africans can live their dreams in Nairobi and Lagos; in Kigali and Kinshasa; in Harare and right here in Accra.

Fifty-two years ago, the eyes of the world were on Ghana. And a young preacher named Martin Luther King traveled here, to Accra, to watch the Union Jack come down and the Ghanaian flag go up. This was before the march on Washington or the success of the civil rights movement in my country. Dr. King was asked how he felt while watching the birth of a nation. And he said: "It renews my conviction in the ultimate triumph of justice."

Now, that triumph must be won once more, and it must be won by you. And I am particularly speaking to the young people. In places like Ghana, you make up over half of the population. Here is what you must know: the world will be what you make of it.

You have the power to hold your leaders accountable and to build institutions that serve the people. You can serve in your communities and harness your energy and education to create new wealth and build new connections to the world. You can conquer disease, end conflicts and make change from the bottom up. You can do that. Yes you can. Because in this moment, history is on the move.

But these things can only be done if you take responsibility for your future. It won't be easy. It will take time and effort. There will be suffering and setbacks. But I can promise you this: America will be with you. As a partner. As a friend. Opportunity won't come from any other place, though — it must come from the decisions that you make, the things that you do, and the hope that you hold in your hearts.

Freedom is your inheritance. Now, it is your responsibility to build upon freedom's foundation. And if you do, we will look back years from now to places like Accra and say that this was the time when the promise was realized — this was the moment when prosperity was forged; pain was overcome; and a new era of progress began. This can be the time when we witness the triumph of justice once more. Thank you.

GIVING AND RECEIVING

The universe operates through a dynamic exchange … giving and receiving are a facet of this flow of energy, and in our willingness to give that which we seek; we can enjoy the abundance of the universe flowing into our lives.
Because our bodies and minds and that of the universe are in a constant dynamic exchange, stopping the circulation of that energy is like stopping a flowing river. A river that stops flowing begins to stagnate, to suffocate and destroy its very own life force. Circulation sustains and maintains its vibrancy. That is why we must give and receive to keep relationships, wealth and affluence – or anything we want to flourish in our lives. When we learn to give that which we seek, we mobilize and choreograph life’s symphony with an exquisite, energetic and vibrant force.
A story of is told of man who had a dream in which he was invited to a banquet. First he saw a magnificent hall in which people were seated at tables laden with the finest, mouth-watering delicacies. Observing the people, he was horrified to see that were eyeing the food hungrily, yet they were starving.
Why weren’t they eating? Upon closer observation, he noticed that their hands were tied to knives and forks which were much too long to bring to their mouths. Their arms were straight, and bending their elbows was completely impossible for them to bring the food to their mouths, even though every pleasurable food was available. It was so close, yet out of reach! There was no alternative but to go hungry. He was then shown another banquet room and to his amazement, the people were jolly and healthy looking – and they were eating – although their hands were also tied to long cutlery. They appeared well fed and content. Upon closer study, he noticed they were reaching across the table and feeding one another so that they didn’t have to bend their arms. Those who merited to sit at these tables were accustomed to giving and benefitting others. By feeding one another from across the table they quickly realized that they would satisfy everyone.
The foundation upon which a relationship stands is a willingness to give, without expecting anything in return. Though our thoughts may sometimes stray and appear valid when we think – ‘What about his side of the bargain?’ or, ‘What is in this for me?’ or ‘Why doesn’t he do the same as I do for him?’ They are actually insidiously destructive; making the basis of a good relationship weaker the longer and stronger they persist.
Every relationship is one of give and take. Giving engenders receiving, and receiving engenders giving. In reality, receiving is that same as giving, because giving and receiving are different aspects of dynamic flow of energy. The more you give, the more you will receive, because you will tap into the abundance of the universe. This precept works equally well for individuals, companies, communities, and nations.
The intention of one’s giving should always be to create happiness for the giver and the receiver. One reason why giving and doing good for others can provide meaning and sustain a pleasurable sensation is that when we give to others, attest to the value, and dignity of the one whom we consider deserving of help. This is of even greater impact when we are non-discriminatory in our willingness to give. The return is directly proportional to the giving when it is unconditional and from the heart.
The gifts of caring, appreciation, attention, affection, love and kindness are some of the most precious gifts one can give.
“GIVING HAS THE POWER TO TRANSFORM THE ETERNAL DANCE OF LIFE”

Leadership, Morals and the African Crisis

We live in a world that is insecure and full of uncertainties. While the western nations are threatened with terrorism, chemical, biological and nuclear weapons, the continent of Africa is bedeviled with poverty, ethnic hatred, tribal wars, diseases, greed, corruption, political instability and moral bankruptcy.

Africa is faced with a plethora of problems, and these problems are not merely economic, social, environmental or even political issues, but the lacking of strong, courageous and progressive-minded leadership. By common understanding, leadership and government is all about plan and purpose, intended to bring about peace and order as well as to provide opportunities for human creativity to discover and fulfil their desires and dreams through those who are placed in positions of authority.

Ironically however, people who occupy leadership positions today in government, business entities, families and even churches and other religious entities seem not to comprehend the obligations of leadership. They tend to forget that the greatest task of the leader is to inspire, motivate and assist those under their influence to become all they can be. They cannot appreciate that fact that the primary goal of leadership must be to inspire people to live rightly to enable them achieve their purposes on earth. Instead those placed to rule and reign are negligent, ungodly and seek only for their own selfish whims. Leadership lapses are the bane of the intractable crisis facing Africa today. Leaders in African contemporary time seem not to embrace the fact that leadership is all about people and that they have the arduous task to mobilize, motivate and inspire people to achieve, succeed and reach their fullest potential that lies within themselves.

To many minds Africa does not lack real men and women who can lead. Africa is also not lacking the manpower, skills, talents, natural and physical resources to turn around deteriorating economic situations, create jobs, provide good health care, sound education for its citizens, develop and build infrastructure, restore order, confidence and hope, which means ingredients for creating a formidable nation exists in Africa.

The trouble with Africa, again, is not economic, political, socio-cultural and even moral per se, but the crisis simply is with leadership. Leadership with the political will and selfless dedication to galvanize a nation is in fact lacking; a strong, courageous and morally upright leadership that is transparent in its private and domestic, public and foreign responsibilities is absolutely missing on the continent of Africa.

Ghana, for instance has not enjoyed any long lasting peace and economic prosperity since independence, despite the huge monies bequeathed unto her and the enormous blessing of natural resources that God has endowed the country with. Ghana after independence started deteriorating following corrupt political leadership and military dictatorships that denied its citizens any sense of security and God given destiny. In short, Ghana’s leadership at all levels has failed the people because they have not fulfilled any of the responsibilities of leadership.

Africa today is ravaged with many problems, such as poverty, religious and ethnic violence, wars, injustice, HIV/AIDS and all is as a result of lack of insight, wisdom, vision and courage on the part of our leaders.

The police cannot be trusted for the personal safety of the people. Despite the enormous and huge houses of worship and churches planted at every corner of our cities and towns, religious conflicts, ignorance, intolerance and armed robbery are rampant.

Perhaps what Africa needs today are leaders who are servants; strong, compassionate and courageous leaders. Like King Solomon, African leaders require wisdom, discernment, character, integrity and vision to lead others.

African leaders must also be men of great vision and mission. They must have the kind of vision that is embraced by all and a mission that’s broad, as well as strategic with a strong value system that will drive their nation’s priorities and not personal priorities.

African leadership must establish core value systems that will dictate every decision and determine the nation’s priorities. More than these, African leaders must have strategy and develop plans with formidable teams to carry out the vision and mission for Africa.