Obama's video response to questions from Africa

Posted By Michael Wilkerson Wednesday, July 15, 2009 - 12:35 PM Share

As promised, Barack Obama recorded a video response to several questions from Africans submitted by text message about his administration's policy towards Africa.

That only three were answered is probably a let down to the more than 5,000 people who submitted questions. However, the White House tried to reiterate its interest in African concerns by allowing three African journalists from Senegal, Kenya and South Africa to each select a question. The video is below and to summarize the three questions were:

How can Africa reverse its brain drain and lure skilled Africans back to the continent?
What did the administration intend to signal by choosing Ghana
How can Africa promote international trade?

These aren't exactly the hardest questions ever, and Obama had time to prepare, but the video, which was released to African radio and tv stations, shows a president who in his own words, is "probably as knowledgeable about African history as anybody who's occupied my office."

This is a good thing. Now let's see how the policy measures up.

EXPLORE:AFRICA, DIPLOMACY, OBAMA ADMINISTRATION, U.S. FOREIGN POLICY

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