AFRICA Part-Deux

A NEW BEGINNING

Following the previous discussion in which we explored the historical reasons contributing to the present state of Africa, we will now examine current events and the pathways to progress.

Pestilences, Political Strife and Mobile phones!
Many ills affect Africa. With thousands dying of AIDS, Malaria, genocides and starvation. What leads to these preventable deaths?
It will be politically incorrect to say this, but in many instances it is the national governments of different countries which are responsible.
Many so-called leaders have a main objective of retaining power at all costs and looting the national coffers. These leaders are surrounded by sycophants and self-serving bureaucrats. The big losers are the ordinary people. Democratic set ups are few in Africa, with many autocratic and military governments. Unless this structure changes , the continent will suffer, no matter how much money is poured into development or health . Even western educated Africans fail in many ways in tackling these issues. It will be surprising to hear that in many cases , money from donors and international agencies goes unutilised because of lack of absorption capacity.
How can all this be changed? I feel in many ways , the outside world fails to recognises that Africa is home to numerous cultures and groups and refers to them as a homogenous unit. It is important to recognise the differences, inorder to make a beginning. That doesn't mean to neglect the common ties and strands which exist among the African nations. Grass root organisations and indigenous democratic movements are to recieve the maximum support and funding. Education , Health , and infrastructure should be made priorities of all governments, where current priorities lie in developing the military or filling the pockets of the bureaucracy. One positive thing , I note is the way the mobile phone network has picked up in the continent. Communication is a vital step in the progress of these nations. Free flow of information encourages democratic ideas and values. even with high rates of AIDS, countries like Botswana are showing economic growth. Uganda has been able to show that the growth of AIDS can be stemmed. Pressure from overseas and locally can force dictators to allow for free speech and demoratic` elections.
To sum it all up, things can change only if the people recieve power. This is achieved mainly through Education and tackling Health problems that sap the vitality of this great continent.
VIVA AFRICA!