subject: Africa in the 21st century [print this page] Africa in the 21st century
AFRICA IN THE 21ST CENTURY BY TECLA NAMUSONGE, UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY
The state of Africa is devastating. People are dying of hunger, poor education system, high mortality and maternal rate, high population, poverty, corruption, a home of western debts, tribalism, civil wars the list is endless. What is the real cause of these problems?Is it colonialism,cold war or post colonialism?The Problems have become persistent in the African community and in order to address these problems the whole region should be focused on instead of a particular state or country.Africans themselves are the cause of these diverse problems.
Africa will make little progress in solving its problems unless there is a shift in political leadership which will bring in new blood fresh new ideas. Once leaders in Africa are elected in the office, they monopolize power, grow old and as a result they end up losing touch with people. If we are to make any progress self criticism must be present. Criticism of African leadership is good because it will instigate change. For too long we have shielded our leaders under the mantra "united we stand, divided we fall."The question remains, must we stand united behind our leaders even if they are leading us into gutter? (Ayittey, 1997).As far as africans want to experience some changes some issues like tribalism/ethnic differences should be addressed.
Apart from ethnic and religious conflicts there is also the issue of class differences.The upper class is constantly frustrating the efforts of improving some mechanisms that can be of help to the african continent.As a result many militia groups or rebel groups are coming up in order to bring new reforms that they have been waiting for all these centuries.As a consequence the ordinary citizen at the grass root level is the one is suffering.
The leaders should be ready to put new mechanisms that will cater for an ordinary citizen so that there are clear checks and balances.In most cases this has been far from being a reality because the constitutions have ben manipulated/changed inorder to fit those currently in power.
The process of decision making should be open and the people should be engaged.The process should be transparent so that the people can feel that they are part of these decision making mechanisms.
A change in mindset is also a major transformation that should take place among the african people.They should vote in people based on their ideas and visions but not on tribe or the social class.
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