What you and I understand as a government doesn't exist in many African countries. In fact, what we call our governments are vampire states. Vampires because they suck the economic vitality out of their people. Government is the problem in… — George Ayittey Copy Share Image
In the West, the basic economic and social unit is the individual; in Africa, it is the extended family or the collective. — George Ayittey Copy Share Image
There was free trade in Africa. There was free enterprise in Africa before the colonialists came. — George Ayittey Copy Share Image
Hippos kill more people in Africa annually than any other wild animal. — George Ayittey Copy Share Image
Look at the history of peace accords in Africa. They have a terrible record. They are shredded even before the ink on them is… — George Ayittey Copy Share Image
The richest persons in Africa are heads of state, governors and ministers. So every 'educated' African who wants to be rich - and there… — George Ayittey Copy Share Image
Back in the 1960s Africa not only fed itself, it also exported food. Not anymore. — George Ayittey Copy Share Image
Just because a group does not take its decisions by voting does not mean they have no understanding of the essence of democracy. — George Ayittey Copy Share Image
Africa's salvation doesn't lie in begging and begging for more aid, and as an African, I find it very, very humiliating. — George Ayittey Copy Share Image
African history is filled with experiences of people shooting their way to power and then splintering into factions, like in Somalia and Liberia. — George Ayittey Copy Share Image
