‘What is this thing called the G8?’

Editor,I think this [G8] has been the hardest equation to solve to date. The richest is taken to be the wisest in community and that’s why the G8 have capacity to manipulate the world, including the so called international agencies meant to be transparent. They [G8 countries] easily do this because they are the highest financial contributors to these agencies.I suggest that we, Africans, need to be realistic first of all to ourselves: Why the need to command without that capacity? We just have to understand the fact that no man is an island; they also need us. We should position ourselves in a more strategic position that will create a direct demand for our resources and then we shall also dictate conditions.But of course all this needs political willingness, strong leadership, and continental unity. I have no doubt that with this a lot can be achieved with time and Africa is on the right track now.John M, Kigali, Rwanda**********************Having read this article, I find myself in a deja vu state of mind. I mean, we all know what happens when these super powers meet time and time again. The problem is that we as Africans keep asking the same kind of questions without ever coming up with concrete solutions.Here is my suggestion: Let us, from country to country, strategise on what we want to be. From there we can master the laws of supply and demand and then gradually we will move up a level similar to that enjoyed by the Asian tigers. Currently, we stand no chance at all if all we do is talk and not walk!Junior, London, United KingdomReactions to Stephen Mugisha’s commentary, “What is this thing called the G8?”, (The New Times, June 25)

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‘What is this thing called the G8?’