They call it a 'summit of equals', but it will be difficult to accept this fact about the EU-Africa meeting because of the evident traces of colonial arrogance that continue to possess the average European. This strengthens the believe that Africa is still seen as just a collection of former colonial possessions.

For over 50 years of independence, all meetings between Africa and its colonialist 'masters' had perpetually been convened on the basis of detrimental conditions imposed by the West; as if such meetings were meant to benefit only Africa, when in actual fact, they turned out to be forums for re-milking the already impoverished continent.

Just like the Ghanaian head of state, John Kufuor, put it, it is time to shake off the colonial past. "Europe", he rightly said, "needs Africa, just as much as Africa needs Europe." This time round, our leaders seem to have spoken in one voice. Our fervent wish is for this trend to continue, if only we want to save our destiny from the mercy of a rather vindictive group of Western self-appointed judges.

The current showdown between the European Union and Africa over its perceived supremacy over the continent is perhaps the most revealing of how distorted the former colonial 'kings' are over the prospect of China's influence in Africa. Presumably this is what prompted Kufuor's doctrine or vice versa. In any case, it is hard to recollect the last time that Africa dealt such a wake-up blow on their hitherto perceived European 'masters'.

The indelible fact remains, however, that Africa has proven its worth under a massive force of bullying; all being spearheaded by the British government. What 'Great' Britain and these other fastidious Western countries seem not to realise is that Africa is making a permanent march away from what prevailed in the olden days, and that no amount of intimidation and blackmail can disrupt this defying, historic procession.

Our wish is that Africa shall endeavour to focus on efforts to balance the need for trust and mutual respect between it and any other entity. We are just too big to be held to ransom over frivolous issues. Simply because a section of people in the West do not like the attitude of a single African leader, they plot for the collective punishment of a whole country, and demand that the whole world cut ties with that country. What a joke?

If the words of the Portuguese Prime Minister, Jose Socrates, are anything to go by, then a relationship of equals must result from current talks in Portugal - Brown or no Brown, there is ample room for dialogue. Uncle Bob (Robert Mugabe) is to Zimbabwe as Winston Churchill is to 'Great' Britain. This is fact shared by almost every single African.