Ofeibea

Dieure dieuf! Thank you in Wolof, Senegal's lingua franca. Dakarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

Hey -- that's my kind of question! Yes, the arts, culture, literature and creativity of Africa are my passion. And there is so much going on that needs to be shared worldwide. I'm just back from Nigeria and that giant of West Africa is brimming with talent -- writers, musicians, you name it. Love is Power - or Something Like That, the new book by A Igoni Barrett is a good place to start. Good luck and enjoy.

May I be partial?! I come from Ghana and my favourite home dish is gari foto -- made by my dearest Auntie Ruth "Rubsio".

Gari is a cassava-based staple and is such a useful item to carry about when you travel. Add hot or cold water -- depending on what you're eating it with -- mix and you're away!

Don't start me on this subject!

Dishes from other countries -- do we have ten hours? Africa is an incredible continent for its varieties of foods. Thiebou dieun (rice, fish and vegetables) in Senegal. Mooi mooi and efo in Nigeria. Almost any fish dish in Cameroon. Denin fleis in South Africa.

You are so right -- Nollywood, some call it, though many just like to call it the Nigerian film industry. And I think it's many of the themes that strike in chord with so many viewers all over the continent. But it's not just good and evil -- although those are basic themes. What really attracts other Africans to Nigerian cinema is that they relate to it. Often, I'm told -- why do I have to watch American soapies (as the South Africans call soap operas) when I can watch Nigerian movies!? And, everywhere I go on the continent, people will say "Chineke" which means God as in "goodness, God save us" (a vital part of every film) in the Igbo language.

Easier said than done. When everyone's after your natural resources -- those across your borders and those beyond -- then believe me, you ask yourself whether it's not better to be poor than to have an abundance of natural riches and resources. But of course, that does not excuse poor leadership and, sadly, there is an abundance of that too in Africa. But there are also many leaders who are governing their countries well, who know what the priorities are and who are making Africa tick.
The problem is that the countries that are prone to conflict are the ones that get most attention -- take DRCongo and Nigeria for example. But they are two extraordinary countries, with extraordinary people and let's hope that their natural good fortune will better benefit the people.