Acknowledgements

It is always difficult to state categorically any position on an African issue as it is bound to be controversial. In my struggles to reshape the intellectual debate on Africa, various individuals (both Africans and non-Africans), foundations, institutes, and agencies have provided me with unflinching support and encouragement. I owe each one of them a ton of gratitude.

Much of the debt is owed to Atlas Network in Arlington, Virginia, for goading me to write this book and providing crucial editorial services. In particular, I must express profound gratitude to Brad Lips and Tom Palmer. Dara Ekanger provided superb editorial work for which I am deeply grateful. There were others as well. The J. M. Kaplan Fund in New York was extremely helpful, as was the Cato Institute in Washington, DC.

The board of directors of The Free Africa Foundation, its staff, scholars, and associates must also be mentioned. A special gratitude is owed to Emmanuel Odamtten, an administrative assistant at The Free Africa Foundation, for his diligence, steadfast support, and research. He meticulously and painstakingly combed through the manuscript to flag down inconsistencies, typos, and grammatical errors.

Also deserving of mention are the supporters of the Foundation—in particular, Keith Colburn, Phil Harvey of DKT International, and Robert Fox of RAF Industries. Mary Kaplan of the J. M. Kaplan Fund and John Richard of Essential Information have also been extremely supportive.

There are many others (Americans, Canadians, South Africans, and other nationalities) to whom I still owe a debt of gratitude: Lynne Criner, Georgie Ann Geyer (nationally syndicated columnist), Sandy and Margaret and others were particularly helpful.

Last but not least have been the numerous Ghanaians and other Africans who have shown unflappable support for my work and writings. Worthy of mention are Dr. Shaka Ssali of Straight Talk Africa, Mohamed Idris, Dr. Charles Mensa, Ablorh Odjijah, G. B. K. Owusu, Vivian Boafo and many, many others. Vivian was particularly understanding, putting up with my long hours at work. I am deeply grateful.

In the final analysis, however, all the views expressed in this book are my own, and any errors or misstatements are my sole responsibility.

George B. N. Ayittey, PhD Washington, DC USA March 2018