Dear Editor-In-Chief

This is the second time I have read your newspaper. I read the first time some six months ago. I just happened on your last edition and because it was free I couldn't walk past. you have been doing well to say the least. This one was much better, at least it can be polished though. my nature compells me however to tell you how I feel when I see mistakes that shouldn't have seen print.

I am particularly appalled by kyereme's report on the african organization's symposium. The report was utter rubbish and shouldn't have seen print.

Nana sifa twum is experienced enough not to allow articles of this kind to go into print. there was nothing in that report. An african association meets. so what? Whilst my problem lies more with the reporter, I wish to draw attention to the fact that their meeting (as the report portrays) was of no consequence. Kwame and in fact Sifa should tell us how justifiable it is to waste a whole page telling us who was present and who wasn't. Again who wants to see the faces of all those people whose pictures filled the pages.

What commitment is of the african echo to that organization talking about slave trade.

Which african doesn't know about the slave trade. If that organization has able chairmen and speakers they should go beyond repeating all what history says and tell the world the effects that trade has had on the continent. If there are able bodies in that organization as the report portrayed, let them use their intellectual capabilties to assess the damage, effects and how Africa is still suffering from the ravages and canker that abhorrent trade brought on us.

As a former colleague of Nana and Ben, I would rather they dedicate that page to "reactions" from readers. we know how important feeback in this industry is. somebody somewhere should be allowed to say bravo or rubbish what we do. I compel the features editor to dedicate a page to readers. otherwise african echo cannot justify what they are doing.

I expect more views, opinions and frankness as those expressed by Ben Ackah-Mensah. I was happy he did not only enjoy the wine and the plush surroundings at snubbish Spio-Garbrah's meeting but was very critical of his intentions. president?? yes, please Ben be on the tail of these snubbish people who give us the impression they are the "people's man" only to get votes. They tell us of their magical powers. they are given the stage to perform and they forget how to say "abacadabra". again, if it is not a matter of policy, let's have you reporting and discussing internal issues relating to blacks and those of so called minority. There are loads of issues, events and skewed reportage that need people like you to at least comment on or draw attention to. Racism is still a global canker and endemic in europe especially U.K.

It is better to use the democratic dispensation to air and correct views and opinions of public and politicians than let the ingrained hatred of black skinned people pass on from generation to generation.

We have been witnesses to what has just happened to a young african american who is just about to start life. What do you guys have to say about Tony Blairs speech on the slave trade?

some of us are happy Sifa and co have given Africans the opportunity to read. but please give us the right to speak as well.

Ebenezer Sackey

Editor’s note:

This email was only editored to correct the diction and not the thoughts. We invite all our readers to send us their comments.