Bob Geldof's Africa: Cocoa, Slaves, & Gold (Ghana/Benin - 2006)

This is the full program of the Ghana/Benin episode of Bob Geldof's Africa, called "Cocoa, Slaves, & Gold".

I recorded this program just a couple of months before going to Ghana on my first trip in 2006/07, and thought it might give me some clues about what to expect - boy, was I wrong !!!!

I've often referred to this program as the worst Ghana PR program ever made - the first part at Fort Carolusberg/Cape Coast Castle is ok, but the rest of the program is totally negative, and it makes me wonder what the various boards that gave him permission to bring his film crew into the country were thinking, if they indeed had prior knowledge of the program synopsis.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• Bob
• Geldof's
• Africa

[LightKia11]

No one advised Mr Geldof, that VIP Coach services is a safer way to travel in Ghana and it leaves on time LOLOL!

[Ghanapedia]

@LightKia11 - well, when people like Geldof have an agenda, they just go with what sounds sexy, not with the facts.

He proved himself to be a complete wanker with your point exactly - you don't NEED to take a tro-tro to Benin, you can go by Intercity/STC, which leaves several times a day from what I understand - all SCHEDULED coach departures.

I think your "LOL" discounts the underhand nature of this documentary - for some reason, Geldof's agenda was to show Ghana as totally primative.

[Ghanapedia]

@LightKia11 - the thing is, if Geldof WANTED to portray it this way, he could have gone with the issues like rolling power blackouts, and water allocation.

Where I stay, it is not uncommon to not get a water allocation, so you are washing with buckets while the government stuff keep you waiting on such a primary need as getting water to flow from a tap. And many people permanently don't have running water, so where I am staying is considered ahead of the curve.

[Ghanapedia]

@benii419 - no need to apologize - I agree !

Did Geldof go to East Legon, or Osu, or the developing Spintex Rd area ???

No, he had an agenda to show Ghana as poor & backward, so they stuck to tro-tro stations & villages, and left the viewer confused as to what to expect. Yet anyone who has come to Ghana knows that this documentary is pure horse shit, and nothing more than a beat-up.

I think any Ghanaian that sees it would find it totally biased, & one of the worst programs on Ghana.

[Ghanapedia]

@benii419 - the only apology required here is from Geldof.

FYI, I saw this right BEFORE going to Ghana on my first trip, and that is why I recorded it, and it flew against what the travel guides were saying. So ever since, I've been saying this one is the worst documentary on Ghana I've ever seen.

I don't know if he was trying to make the place look this way to raise money for Ghana so portrayed it this way, but that can be the only excuse for a program that was otherwise just plain dumb !

[benii419]

1 tin dat is lil annoyin is dat he's only dere 2 talk about da bad side(every country hav dier bad side) alone an forgetin da rest den most people over here wil hav a negative attitude toward africa.e.g he cud hav taken a proper an on time transport route.an him also sayin dat we hav sold our image 2 da colonizers.

i was just lil unhappy wen i was watchin it da first time peter sorry 4 my strong language.sorry again bro..

[Ghanapedia]

@benii419 - maybe not so much a "racist bastard", but more "dickhead".

I found this documentary to be the most agenda-driven & negative program that has been made on Ghana. It has been posted because it is Ghana-related, not because I thought the content was great.

If you want to see a GOOD documentary on Ghana, watch my clip for "Anthony Bourdain: No Reservation". It's the best representation of Ghana you will find in a TV show.

Geldof has got it all wrong here !!!

[benii419]

THIS GUY IS JUST A RAAACIST BASTARD.HE'S ONLY DERE 2 MAKE FUN OF OUR BELOVED COUNTRY. GHANA

[TheAnnafisher]

phenomenal