African view: Big men do not die

Jun 18th, 2009 - BBC NEWS

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In our series of weekly viewpoints from African journalists, Elizabeth Ohene, a former presidential spokesperson in Ghana, considers the delicate issue of announcing a leader's death as Gabon's long-time leader Omar Bongo is buried.

I speak with authority when I say African leaders don't ever get tired, or go on vacation, or need to see a doctor, or indeed ever die.

And I speak not only of our political leaders but of our traditional leaders as well.

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