The above excerpts are from an article written by Arnold Ekpe for the African Report magazine. The article mentions so many essential factors that are affecting the development of the continent. I must admit that some of the points are hard pills to swallow but give valuable information to work with as Africans, especially the current generation.
No matter where we live as Africans, and no matter the opportunities and privileges we enjoy, we will never be distanced from our home continent.
Our difference is a gift of nature, and people cannot help but notice us. Some have taken this negatively and used it as a source of inspiration to hurt and offend us. And we cannot overlook those horrible past events that weigh so heavily on the continent and her people.
THE DIFFICULT TRUTH
Yet still, the article calls on Africans to take up the ruins and debris and redirect our focus to build a new Africa that can make all of us proud.
The hardest thing about lies is that people begin believing it is the truth once you repeat it enough. Africans have been made to believe in the myths of incapacitation. And this has led to trying to take control of our destiny on false grounds and pretence. The fundamental question is whether we know and understand what we are doing and where we are heading.
In the book Why Nations Fail, The writers argue that the reason why countries fail is a result of the political leadership and organisation of the country. I am a strong contender that Africa can afford to marshall its private sector to bring prosperity to its people. But I would instead follow the thinking of the writers because, without strong state institutions to protect and call the private sector to accountability, no one can successfully do any business in Africa. So, why does Africa lack these strong institutions? Are African nations incapable of following rules and regulations or developing their policies, systems and structures? Africa inherited institutions and systems that needed to learn how to maintain, expand and innovate. Still, if Africa is being marketed as a failure, then we are made to conclude that whatever we inherited from colonisation didn’t quite work for us.
THE BITTER TRUTH
There is this argument that when most African countries gained independence, their countries were more prosperous compared to 50 to 60 years after their independence. The industries, roads, railways, harbours, institutions, and all they inherited were mismanaged and left cradle to the grave. The reason for this was straightforward: they needed to be taught how these things correctly worked. It is how you create dependency in another way. What is the point of having anything if you need to figure out how it is supposed to function correctly? They were handed machines, ideologies, and systems and already made infrastructure.
They required specific knowledge to operate, and they didn’t have that. So, they were left to rot, and people moved on to survive. Our current form of governance, politics, and economic leadership in Africa today is somehow not instrumented by us. Therefore, we need to fill in the thinking processes that went into the development of such institutions and the reason for the gaps in how we implement them. I wonder if most countries in sub-Saharan Africa have had the time to consider the type of governance that works better for them or if they fully grasp the concept of the current form of leadership and how to develop a better political system that works well for the people, not just the political elites. Most African nations have not stopped fire-fighting, battling diseases, war, famine, genocides, high rates of unemployment, corruption, lack of primary education and external actors that compound the internal issues. So the question is then, who has time to ask the tough questions, to analyse and see what is working, the cause of the defects, and how to remedy it strategically once it is found?
WE NEED NEW IDEAS AT THE TABLE
One of the problematic things is that you have the same people around the table of African politics in most cases. The rotation of political leadership needs to be more refreshing, and this is a phenomenon in even advanced countries. But the problem with replacing one party member with another is that you inherit the same results. In Africa, politics is self-serving. Politicians need more selflessness; their pursuit is not the national interest in the long term but mostly their pockets in the short term. So if the previous government was corrupt, the next one has been around the table too and will not do any different, no matter his intentions. If you sit around the table long enough, you will be infected by the people around it.
To emerge from the claws of this inefficient system that has seen the best days of its performance and step into new efficiencies that work well, voters must examine whom they vote into leadership. Countries with two predominant political parties have proven futile on the continent. Blind support and tribalism have not helped us to prosperity. Buy-my-love politics is robbing many sub-Saharan Africans of their future. You people receive gifts to give their votes and later complain about why they are suffering. They forget their actions only help the politicians to keep taking their needs for granted because they believe they can buy them. So, it is time to rethink how we elect new leaders.
The millennial Africans and Gen Z’s must avoid making the same mistakes as the previous generations. It is their future and their children’s stake here; therefore, they must rise to the challenge of building the Africa they want. They must place an uncompromising demand on the people they elect to lead them. They must seek to understand what exactly they are casting the votes for to select leaders competent enough to serve their nations and provide a better living for all. Africans are tired of suffering, and it is time that most of our people enjoy the simple pleasures of life and what they have the right to, not just a few.
MOVING INTO A BETTER REALITY
Africans on the continent and outside must take their future more seriously and be a concern for the future of Africa. What happens to the continent affects all Africans. And it is heartwarming to see that many of us can see the possibility of moving into a better reality. The young people are rising to work and spend their strength for their nations. They are becoming more vocal and are beginning to grasp the nuances of how the world works with Africa. The entrepreneurial spirit is even more candled among many who are starting to see the void and have decided to do something about it. Many have concluded that Africans must build the Africa they want, while any honest help is welcomed. Africa is ready to do business and wants to be seen as a partner, an equal not to be taken for granted or overlooked. And even though Africa is not a country, our woes are not that different, especially in the sub-Sahara. We do not share only a geographical location but also a colonial history and the aftermaths of rotten leadership and mismanagement. We have more in common through suffering and neglect, so whether we like it or not, our peculiar traditions, languages, and differences are only semantics. In the famous words of Prof. P.L.O Lumumba, African countries must learn to negotiate together. We are one people and must unite in efforts to improve the continent. No one goes far by going alone. When we learn to stand together, we can learn from each other and increase knowledge sharing on the continent. Our scientists, researchers and other institutions can collaborate. We can learn to rise above our dislikes and disagreements and work toward a common, prosperous future for all. Because if those who divided us came together to do so, why can’t we come together to advance our nations forward? When we learn as people to value and protect each other’s interests and elect leaders who can construct policies and regulations that focus on the best interests of our nations, we will be experiencing a new Africa. We can change our reality; it won’t be easy, but it is possible.
LETS START SMALL – THE RULE OF LAW
What is the law if no one follows it? I remember my visit to Ghana at the end of last year. Thanks to foreign investment and local initiatives, the country has seen tremendous growth, but there is still room for improvement, as always. Especially when dealing with one of the things I consider Africa’s problem: sensitization or making people more aware. African leaders must invest heavily in informing and informing their citizens of what laws and regulations must be followed. But as some will say, they like to keep the people in the dark. One of the things I kept upsetting myself in Ghana about is commercial drivers who prioritize themselves above pedestrians. It is, for instance, to organize a short training for these apprenticeship ‘conductors’ to drivers. Most of these drivers of ‘retro’ don’t necessarily go through formal training, but the government can sensitize them about road priorities and vulnerabilities. Those neglected efforts lead to a big pile of lawlessness that seems impossible to overcome.
To achieve progress and overcome the challenges Mr Ekpe wrote about in his article, politicians and civilians must work hand in hand. We must face our failures and what led to those failures and discover new ways to contribute to the continent’s development. We have stopped the malpractices and behaviors that undermine the integrity of the continent and practice what we preach. The point is we will need someone to do it for us. Africa is the responsibility of Africans, and no matter what well-wishers may do for us, we will need more than that to solve our problems. The charity mentality won’t save Africa, as the past has proven; Africa needs Africans who are fearless in seeing the issues and deciding to solve them no matter how little their efforts might be. That is the spirit of cheetahs.
In conclusion, the path forward for Africa requires acknowledging the difficult truths about our past and present circumstances. We must confront the legacies of colonialism, corruption, and mismanagement that have hindered our progress. It’s time to dismantle the myths of incapacity and take control of our destiny with a renewed sense of purpose and determination.
Building a new Africa will require collective effort and a commitment to good governance, accountability, and inclusivity. We need strong state institutions that protect the interests of the people and hold the private sector accountable. This entails rethinking our political systems and leadership, ensuring that they serve the nation’s long-term interests rather than self-serving agendas.
The younger generation, in particular, must play a central role in shaping the future of Africa. They must demand transparency, competence, and integrity from their leaders and actively engage in the political process. By embracing innovation, entrepreneurship, and collaboration, we can overcome the challenges that have held us back and create a prosperous and united Africa.
Starting small, such as upholding the rule of law and promoting awareness and education, can have significant ripple effects across society. By addressing issues like road safety and law enforcement, we can begin to build a culture of accountability and respect for the law.
Ultimately, Africa’s future lies in the hands of its people. We must reject the notion of passive recipients of aid and instead embrace our agency and responsibility for driving change. With determination, resilience, and a collective vision for progress, we can realize the full potential of the continent and build a better future for generations to come.
Africa Thinkers 