By:Staff Contributer
The Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu once said, "Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime."
Westerners, having exploited and subjugated Africa through colonialism, did not teach Africa how to fish. Instead, they have provided fish little by little, keeping Africa dependent. Their reason is that if Africa starts fishing for itself, their source of wealth will dry up.
They exacerbate African hunger through their media, sending processed wheat as aid. Professor Alemayehu GebreMariam claims that over 85% of the money provided through their aid organizations is used for espionage. Their collaborators are the ruling groups in these countries and their assigned aid workers.
Any African leader who advocates for food self-sufficiency faces suppression and potential removal from power. The removal of Burkina Faso's President Thomas Sankara, who initiated reforms in his country, serves as an example. Those who oppose them are later accused of human rights abuses or face coups.
Their media and artists follow the same pattern. Here, it's important to mention Bob Geldof's 1984 initiative in response to the severe famine in Ethiopia. His song, "Do They Know It's Christmas?", topped the UK charts for five weeks, and the millions raised provided temporary famine relief. This is an example of selfless humanitarian action.
This year, Geldof's 80th birthday and the song's 40th anniversary prompted its fourth reissue. Previous reissues ("Band Aid II" in 1989, "Band Aid 20" in 2004, and "Band Aid 30" in 2014) faced criticism, including from some band members. The criticism centers on the message that Africa remains impoverished and dependent on Western aid, even decades later. Professor Adekeye Adebajo, former director of the African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes at the University of Pretoria, argues that the song's reissue reinforces the image of Africa as helpless and needing white saviors. He states that the media actively portrays Africa's weakness.
The Times newspaper reported that the re-release of this music has angered those involved in its creation. When it was re-recorded and released in 2014, English artist Ed Sheeran opposed its re-release.
The newspaper reported that Sheeran's criticism included his assertion that the music no longer reflects the current situation in Africa, and that his participation in the 2014 release was inappropriate.
Fuse ODG, however, argued that creating such music 40 years ago, prioritizing humanity and making it accessible to those in need, was appropriate, but its re-release now is not.
In an interview with the BBC, Fuse ODG explained that the lyrics used in the music paint a negative picture of Africa, making its re-release inappropriate. He recounted a time when Africa faced hardship, stating that if the music had been created to show how Africa overcame that hardship and contributed positively to the continent, it would have been appropriate.
He further explained that while everyone should be part of the solution when problems arise, always seeking solutions from outside the continent creates another serious identity crisis for Africa.
To illustrate this point, Fuse ODG recalled how Bob Geldof and others responded to the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2014, failing to acknowledge the African doctors who ultimately contained the crisis. This, he argued, perpetuates the image of Africa as a land of problems, famine, and negativity, rather than showcasing its ability to solve its own problems and build a positive identity for its youth. Therefore, he concluded, the music's release is inappropriate.
Is Ethiopia working to catch its own fish?
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, in discussions with European counterparts about African migrants, points out that the cause of migration is the actions of Europeans in Africa. He highlights that Europeans not only exploited African resources but continue to exploit Africa. He argues that the solution lies in enabling Africa to become self-sufficient, rather than fostering dependence through aid.
Understanding that relying solely on wheat imports is unsustainable, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed prioritized agriculture upon taking office. Agricultural reforms have yielded significant results. Improved farming techniques have increased productivity, allowing for multiple harvests annually. Previously unproductive lands in Afar, Borena, and Hararage are now producing wheat harvested by combine harvester. This has enabled Ethiopia to not only stop importing wheat but also to export it. Various media outlets and institutions have confirmed this.
The website World Grain reported on Ethiopia's "wheat revolution," highlighting its increased wheat production through drought-resistant varieties and expanded irrigation. The African Development Bank praised Ethiopia's success in increasing wheat yields per hectare from 2 to 4 tons, stating its readiness to support food security and economic transition.
Institutions like the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) have commended Ethiopia's progress. The Kilimo Kwenza, a research institution focusing on African agriculture and food security, attributes Ethiopia's success to its focus on modernizing agriculture and exempting agricultural technologies and inputs from taxes—a model for other African countries.
World Grain reported that Ethiopia's wheat production exceeding national needs by 32 million quintals is a historic achievement. This success is cited as evidence of Ethiopia's progress towards its goal of playing a key role in ensuring regional food security by creating a drought-resistant wheat value chain.
Media outlets highlight Ethiopia's success in wheat production through climate-smart agriculture as a demonstration of what's possible in ensuring food security across Africa. They suggest that continued support from international organizations focused on mechanization and innovation will allow Ethiopia to further develop its proven agricultural management and achieve its goals.
Reports attribute these successes to Ethiopia's extensive agricultural reforms and its ambition to transform agriculture into a driver of social and economic change.
A Bloomberg report from September 2023 indicates that the Ethiopian government, having increased wheat production by 27%, is working towards exporting the surplus. Ethiopia has already transitioned from being a wheat importer to an exporter.
World Grain further notes that Ethiopia launched a $94 million project in May 2024 to support 500,000 smallholder farmers and to utilize improved farming techniques (like the Kuta Getem method) to sustain the gains in wheat production. This initiative aims to increase household incomes and benefit 2.3 million citizens, according to the report.
The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) points to Ethiopia's transformation in wheat production as a model for other African countries.
These combined efforts, according to the reports, demonstrate Ethiopia's commitment to transforming its agricultural sector, ensuring food security, and contributing to both regional and global wheat markets.