Geneva--A French weekly magazine, Le Nouvel Observateur, has applauded the pace of rapid development in Ghana’s, saying, “such efforts have never ever been seen in 50 years history of the country”.

The paper also sees a bright light at the end of the tunnel for Africa, which it said, has been ravaged by long years of civil wars and famine, and also lauded rapid development efforts in other 30 African countries, adding” the 21st centaury will at last be, the centaury for Africa.

“In Accra one can see visible signs of progress, in terms of development in areas of housing construction and private businesses, springing up like mushrooms, apparently financed by the country’s 3 million immigrant population in overseas, notably in Britain, USA, Germany. Holland”.

In a four-page story on “Africa’s resurrection”, with footage on emerging housing projects and businesses in Ghana, written by its special correspondent, visiting Accra, it expressed optimism that 21 century stands to trigger Africa’s economic emancipation.

“After years of war and famine the continent is now wide awake from slumber with a boom on discovery of huge oil and gas and other mineral resources like copper and manganese.

The paper quoting IMF figures in support of its argument says “since beginning of the year 2000, Africa is the continent, next to Asia, which has gained rapid progress, gaining economic growth rate 5% in 2006, which is expected to rise to 6% en 2007 (3-times that of France):

The paper also quoted excerpts of French Economic Professor Philippe Hugon of Paris-X-Nanterre University, author of “l’Economic d’Afrique”.

The Professor says those who turned their back on Africa, including USA, Germany Britain, Holland, just after the fall of the Berlin wall, labeling it as a dead continent, or in his words “geo-strategic game play” are returning to the continent to seek their interests, ranging from oil and gas exploration/exploitation, to risks of establishment of al-Qaeda cells.

He said emerging economies like that of China, India and Brazil have returned to Africa to seek opportunities being offered with the discovery of large natural resources.

“Discovery of huge oil and gas in Africa attracted Chinese President Hu Jintao to visit the continent 3 (three) times in 2 (two) years, providing debt cancellation to 33 countries and announcing aid -package amounting over 2.3 billion euros with no string attachment to human right issues and transparence democracy”.