THE CYCLE OF AID: IT’S IMPACT ON AFRICA’S GOVERNANCE
THE CYCLE OF AID: IT’S IMPACT ON AFRICA’S GOVERNANCE
As the continent warms up to the 55th anniversary of Africa day, there is a jovial atmosphere to celebrate the unity and the renewed determination to growth and development on the continent. The day will be commemorated under the theme; “African Union Agenda 2063” an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in the international arena. Well, isn’t this a good theme? It is, but to what extent are we laying a solid foundation for our future generations to achieve this, come 2063.
When one looks at Africa's continued reliance on foreign aid, which has increased the opportunities for bilateral and multilateral aid agencies and western developed countries to influence policy making in the region, they might ponder on how long it will take for out continent to be driven by its own citizens. It has been very common for major donors to meet, to discuss development and debt problems and to devise aid strategies for African governments, which gives a considerable influence and leverage of the western countries over African governments. This is very evident in cases when donors cut aid when African countries pass any laws that are against their interests. This was seen in 2011 when UK threatened to cut aid in Malawi for violating LGBTI rights, and another case in 2014, when Norway and Denmark cut aid, while others including US reviewed their budgets with Uganda over a law that was imposing harsh penalties for homosexuality, among many other cases. In 2017, in the first few months of President Donald Trump’s term, as he aggressively pursued his “America First” agenda, a bid that would deeply affect foreign aid, facing the biggest cuts in spending, some African countries were thrown into a panic, as it would adversely affect development projects. But why the panic yet the continent has more than enough resources to feed its people and it has a big young population that can provide the needed labor? Well, that’s called getting lost in the cycle of aid that we forget to learn to devise alternatives for our continent.
Africa has been receiving foreign assistance since independence and it’s important to note that some activities have brought about a lasting impact on the continent. However, it has also developed a culture of dependency, which impedes the governments from looking beyond the aid, thus also not serving their people the way they ought too. If you come to think about it, aid is the major cause of corruption because it’s in human nature to embezzle or waste what one hasn’t work hard to get. So, some leaders, instead of serving the people and advancing citizen-centered transformational government, they use the money they have embezzled to bribe their stay in power.
The ideal elements of serving people are not limited to; deliberate efforts to create jobs for the young population, seeking to improve regional integration initiatives, which are key to sustaining development, equipping the people with the necessary capacity, boosting local economies through private sector engagement and encouraging long-term prosperity for the entire region. If and when Africa starts to be driven and governed by its citizens, that’s when the continent will realize that it holds the key to its own development.
As Mandela said, “It is always impossible until it is done.” So, as we mark the 55th anniversary of the Africa day, let’s remember to lay a foundation for the youth to break the cycle of aid and build the right governance systems for our continent. But as we fanaticize about the economic independence, we ought to remember the critical aspect of managing resources responsibly and with inclusive lenses.