EBOLA RAISING QUESTIONS: WHAT ARE THE HIGHEST ACHIEVEMENTS OF SCIENTIST IN AFRICA?

My whole life, I’ve had to deal with many Africans who either hate white people or begrudge them for looking down on what they term “coloured people”. I’ve also had to deal with those who think all whites are superheroes and worship the grounds on which they walk. I do not have any problem with that, I have feelings too and they can be hurt, so I may fight back. Despite this, I always  allow my reasoning to drive my objectivity. Even if we were bush men and have been transformed by white people, what have we learnt so far? what do we not rely on the white man for? Talk of even toothpick and we are talking of importation. Even our forefathers knew how to use herbs to cure, but here we are, with many people learning science and technology, hardly have I heard of a timely medication for an epidermic coming from an African scientist though we are always the people affected.

When laymen like us are running any time there are outbreaks of diseases, those who are supposed to have the knowledge of self protection, be at the battle front and look for ways to cure the disease run the fastest. These white men we always want to compare ourselves with are the very people who are always looking for ways to sustain their people, us included. And it is amazing how even blacks trained there have their spirit of living up to their responsibilities but those we grow here only wear fancy white clothes and fight over titles.

We are in trouble and ebola is here, science institutions have extended their vacations fleeing from ebola as foreigners strive to look for ways to combat the virus. Which African has even thought of going to the lab to find the composition of the fluid which is so poisonous and contagious? I read English because that is what I knew I could do best. Could it be that many of these so called scientists do not know what they are about and what their jobs entail?

Wherever scientists are in Africa, they should bow their heads in shame. This is really shameful. You could have come together as Africans to meet and look for drugs to fight this virus. People are setting up committees but the scientists have never thought of meetings to solicit ides to join hands in order to produce even the younger sister of paracetamol.

I am very ashamed for them. Whatever path one chooses, I believe he or she must live up to it. if you choose to be a scientist, my baby knowledge tells me that you are to save lives no matter your field, even if you study animals. This should be a wake up call. Instead of thinking to put something together, some will actually think I am a child trying to victimise adults. 

Africa needs to shed our baby teeth! We have suckled for long!

   Amoafowaa Sefa Cecilia (c) 2014