Everything I’ve read about Mr. Ibrahim (with the exception of some who apparently envy his self-made wealth) encourages me to offer to him, absolutely free,(no strings attached) a very simple way to totally purify unclean water, even raw sewage, using common building materials available in almost any village, not just in Africa, but elsewhere, and using only the POWER of the SUN and a domed plastic cover.  Village labor could build in in 2 wks or less. Only the thin plastic cover would have to be purchased. Unclean water in, pure water out!

This won’t solve the corruption in gov’t, nor the HIV problems, but it will give all Africans pure drinking water and better health.

If Mr. Ibrahim is interested, I will draw this simple design and send it to him personally.  Rich Armistead, age 72, a retired financial manager after college until age 43 due to heart problems, and a researcher of ancient Egypt for the past 29 years. I, too, believe in the GOLDEN RULE, and try to do a good deed everyday. 
My address is:
Rich Armistead, 11021 Coon Hollow Rd., Three Rivers, MI 49093. I prefer not to relay this important info via phone.

the corruption in African govenments is real but it is a pittance compared to American corporate/government corruption. A drop in the bucket compared to the colonialist corruption.  The offer this man has come up with I think will be taken by Africans and their leaders with both skeptism and genuine interest. I am an American who lived in South Africa for three years and while their government is far from perfect it seems it’s largest critics are still the whites who now have been kicked back to status as mere equal and not ruler. It seems to me this is a situation that doesn’t have a down side that can be judged yet and to talk shit about how the rulers may or may not screw it up is the same racist bullshit as you always here from whites when the ‘keffers’ don’t remember their place.

D Baldwin, I have proposed several times, since hearing about the land grab in Paraguay by the Bush bunch that we start a Mayflower Fund to move the entire crew, dogs and canaries included.

Mr Ibrahim´s offer is probably suspect as to motive, but when dealing with the seriously rich, who knows! I DOUBT THAT ANY GOOD WILL COME OF IT. Now if he started putting in water wells and sewage treatment plants all over Africa, or just one country in Africa, or bought a year´s supply of AIDS medicine for 1 town, or distributed condoms. Maybe send a bunch of kids to medical school?

BUT, THEN, THE SERIOUSLY RICH NEVER GET DOWN IN THE TRENCHES TO REALIZE WHAT REAL HELP IS, THAT IT IS BOTTOM-UP NOT TOP-DOWN. HE NEEDS TO TALK TO HUGO CHAVEZ.

I am an American living in Africa for the past 5 years. It is nearly impossible for anyone from the “first” world to understand just how pathetic and meat-headed most of the “leaders” of Africa are.  They either squander the resources handed to them or they steal it.  Most of the de-colonized countries are still celebrating their liberation instead of moving forward.  The great debate here is national identity: black or white culture.  It isn’t politically correct to name it, but Africans all know it is true.  Zimbabwe is a perfect example. And it is unfortunate that Africa does have such a sad reputation, but, unfortunately, much of it is deserved.  Black Africans seem to want all the goodies that the white culture brings with it, but insist that their traditional cultures are superior and better suited to modern African life.  The problem with that is that in traditional African cultures, there is always a Chief.  He is all-powerful and his position is anything but democratic.  He isn’t usually adept at administrative or fiscal responsibilities - his “job” is to spend money lavishly.  Even well-intentioned leaders are handicapped by a severe lack of these neccessary skills in their governments.  These countries that have been given billions of dollars in aid (and debts which have nearly all been forgiven)botched it up, never completed promised undertakings, then put their hands out for more.  They claim that the terms under which they took money from the World Bank, IMF, Europe and America were too “restrictive.” Yeah, they were supposed to build infrastructure, provide health care, schools, water, sanitation.  This isn’t hard if there is a will and a common goal, and that is the essential problem. 

In South Africa where I live, the corruption and crime are unbelievable, yet this government considers itself highly enlightened and progressive.  I don’t think any amount of money will help people who insist on re-inventing the wheel ala African or simply line their pockets and those of their cronies without a single pang of conscience.  They claim that is the traditional way - I say let them have their way.  “First” worlders must just stand back, keep their money in their pockets and let these countries cook in their own juices until they decide there are some things about “first” world culture - namely accountability, transparency, and at least the appearance of propriety - that are worth pursuing. Every single African leader might attempt it, but I don’t believe a single one of them can win that prize honorably.

What a novel idea! Perhaps a few American millionaires could come up with a similar scheme to incentivize the current cabal ruining this country to leave.

Mo Ibrahim, thankyou for trying something new. Vive le Africa!

Better than having billionaires pay for (buy)bad government as we have here.

americans make fun of africa & africans

they fail to see that africa has brighter prospects than america has—also, africans are more intelligent & tolerant than americans are: while americans prop up the apartheid fenced-in regime in israel & build fences to keep out the mexican workers who do america’s lowlier jobs, & while america’s leaders [both parties] are raking in graft from the war in iraq & the war on drugs, africa is shaping up to outshine india & china as a center of economic growth

but americans will be the last to cash in on africa’s opportunities: they’ll be too busy looking down their noses as entrepreneurs from india & china work with africans to build thriving industries

$5 mil is not nearly enough of an incentive to prevent corrution by heads of states. unfortunately, there are a lot of heads (besides the presidents’) whose incredible greed lead them to bottomless corruption. stealing from multilateral aids and the people’s land is far, far, far more lucrative than 5 mil.

-- ov, queens

If Mr. Ibrahim became a billionare like all the other billionares, i.e. on the backs of the people who actually do the work who are paid a pittance then $5,000,000 is not enough to buy back a soul.