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Africa's underdevelopment is often blamed on colonial rule and Western imperialism. Ake disagrees and argues that an African elite captured postcolonial politics. Focused exclusively on maintaining and maximising its power, the elite never pursued any development strategy on its own. Rather it outsourced development to external donors, just in order to then blame Africa's underdevelopment on "foreign imperialism".

I had almost finished this book by February. But then my exams started and I had to pause for a while. In April and May then, I reread the whole book. I just finished and I really like the book!

Hmm, slowly I start to understand why Acheampong is not regarded well by many people in Ghana. After his initial successes in economic development, the whole economy basically collapsed after just four years in power. Economic mismanagement and poor leadership led to Acheampong's downfall. Its quite sad actually. His beginnings were so promising...

Im still wondering why I.K. Acheampong has attracted so little attention. While most people in the West probably don't know him, even in Ghana he is rarely mentioned. Whatever, reading this book shows how revolutionary and promising his ideas were. His idea of homegrown development based on self-sufficiency in Ghana is a fundamental shift. Later, others like Thomas Sankara implemented similar ideas and became famous.

Although it is somewhat obvious that not much information is available on Acheampong's youth, the book still provides an interesting narrative of how early experiences shaped Acheampong's later decisions as Ghana's head of state. The different reasons outlined for his military coup in 1972 are also interesting and seem to make sense.

After reading the biography of Ghana's founding leader and visionary Kwame Nkrumah, I continue with a biography of General I. K. Acheampong. Acheampong was a military general who gained power in Ghana through a military coup in 1972. From all I have heard, he seems to be a very interesting personality with many political ideas, but poor implementing skills (just like Nkrumah). He is poorly known in the west, I feel.

Nigerian politics is so messed up. It is sad to read this book. Something is honestly wrong with this country or at least its ruling elite. The British also play their part of course.

My professors are on strike, which means I have a lot of time to read. I enjoy it, haha.

Kwame Nkrumah was one of the founders of modern Ghana and its first Prime Minister and President, ruling the country from 1951 to 1966. He combined socialist and pan-Africanist ideology and is considered one of the greatest African philosophers. I bought this biography about him in the impressive Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park in Accra. Im looking forward to reading more about him. He seems to be an interesting person.

Its going slowly, but it is still interesting. Annan greatly shows how everyone is to blame for the recent crisis in Gaza.

Finally, i had time to continue reading this book!

This book is a page turner. I started reading it a few days ago. Due to the current fragile situation of press freedom in Western Europe, I decided that I must read it now. It is dramatic to read how one of the most famous journalists in the world who revealed US war crimes in Iraq and Afghanistan is politically prosecuted and in containment for more than 12 years already.

Interesting background information on the processes within the UN. But I disagree with many of Kofi Annan's claims. Especially his promotion of humanitarian interventionism is very problematic. The results of this policy can be observed nowadays in Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, etc... Still an interesting book!

Very interesting person! A Legend! Also very good book!

Done. Very fascinating book! Very interesting perspectives on World War II, fascisism and Imperialism.