Ekow gazed at the azure water two hundred miles below as the plane rose above the saltwater basin that was the Mediterranean Sea. Ekow enjoyed watching the hologram in front of his seat, showing the Earth receding as the North African coast seemed to embrace Southern Europe.
This must have been the view of the early astronauts as they rode their ballistic missiles into space.
The plane's altitude ticked up in the corner of the screen as it quickly obtained low earth orbit on its hyper-sonic drive before leveling off at an altitude of five hundred miles. He noticed the person sitting immediately to his right did not look comfortable.
"Are you well?" he asked solicitously. "Is this your first time on a hypersonic flight?"
"No, but thank you for asking," the diminutive older woman answered. "It's been a long time, and I never liked flying."
"What takes you to Accra, if you do not mind my asking?" Ekow asked to pass the time.
"I'm visiting my daughter and her family," she replied. "She and her husband settled there ten years ago after meeting in Nice. But every time I go, I spend almost all my time with the family. I want to see more of the city and the country this time. What takes you to Accra? Going home or a visit?"
"It is my home," he answered, sitting up straighter. "Born and raised. Although I did spend many years in China for my studies."
"Really?" she said with an interested smile. "The special relationship between China and most African countries is well-known. Is that what brought you to China?"
With a smile, Ekow put on his professorial face as he began to explain.
"Just so. Ghana is an excellent example of this most momentous phenomenon. Like all of the modern African nations, Ghana has a checkered past. Centuries of tribal conflict were followed by European and Arab colonial periods until the middle of the 20th Century. When the British Empire crumbled following World War II, Ghana emerged as a combination of several British protectorates. Many of today's African countries formed around the same time in the same fashion, often maintaining the colonial power's language and, to an extent, their economic systems and customs.
"Fascinating," she continued smiling, enjoying the practiced delivery. "Please go on!"
"Gladly. I am pleased you are so interested." He flashed his 100-watt smile. "Please do let me know when you have enough."
She nodded and settled in, like Ekow's grandmother on a cold night in front of the fire.
"Most African nations were on the edge of economic viability for the first fifty years of their post-colonial existence. The rise of China earlier this century unexpectedly transformed much of the African Continent. The Chinese were the first and only Great Power to tap into what has proven to be the African nations' greatest natural resource. It's people's brilliance.
As you correctly surmised, I am a direct beneficiary of this historical phenomenon. I received an exceptional education at Shanghai University, allowing me to do some interesting things."
"Like what?" she asked, crossing her legs and shifting in her seat to face Ekow.
"Not to sound immodest, but I obtained my bachelor's, master's, and Ph.D. from Shanghai University and have returned to Ghana, where I am a chemistry professor at Ashesi University. The Afro-Sino Alliance, as the special relationship has come to be known, has resulted in countless Africans from across the Continent realizing similar benefits. Most returned home and helped foster an African Renaissance. I am proud to be part of it. Most African nations now enjoy a quality of life equal to the wealthiest nations on Earth."
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The Price of Water
Mystery / ThrillerBy 2051, the world is in the midst of a water crisis. The sourcing and distribution of freshwater are controlled by private water companies who care only about their profits. Led by three of the most powerful water company executives, a secret organ...
