Development Analysis Vol.7
Development Analysts provide commentaries based on their expertise and knowledge on development issues in Africa. To reply to these commentaries, reply to this blog, register on the ARYI website and click on "blog", or e-mail Development_Analysis@africaninitiative.org. This is an initiative by ARYI and the Forum for Global Action. The commentaries are viewpoints solely of the authors meant to initiate dialogue and critical thinking on development issues on the continent and globally.
Development Analysis Vol.7
By: Fatoki Taiye Timmy (Nigeria)
Topic: Quality Education: A Tool for African Development
According to the former Governor Bank of England-Lord George, “Education is the absolute foundation of social and economic progress, not just for the children involved but for our whole national and global community, therefore it makes good economic sense for governments to invest in basic education.” If the word of Lord Geroge makes sense to the global community, why then are African children lagging behind in the accessibility of quality education, and as a result made to suffer unduely and unwarrantedly from problems created by the older generation?
Although Nigeria has a national policy on education since 1981, which recognizes equal educational opportunities for all citizens, but like many African countries with same recognitions of the educational policy, its implementation has neither been effective nor result oriented in terms of service delivery, as a result of rapid population growth, insufficient political will, undemocratic governance, poor management of scarce resources and changes in education administration and style. For example it is saddening to see that the 2007 state of the world’s annual report on the conditions of children worldwide by UNICEF titled women and children the double dividend of gender equality, shows starkly in figures what harm gender inequality (as related to education) is doing to children and how it is also hindering the realization of the MDGs.
For example the girl child and the underserved (disabled children) in most cases all over the continent of Africa are more likely to be out of school. (For every 100 boys out of school, more girls are likely to be out of school). These girls and the disabled children/underserved are more prone to encounter more problems as they grow. Avoidable problems face them on a daily basis as result of their lack of access to at least quality basic education: Such problems which could have been avoided with provision of education are no strangers to the children of Mother Africa. They face daily genital mutilation, child marriage (this child mother and other problems related to early child birth), sexual abuse, exploitation (exposing them to reproductive and sexual infections including HIV/AIDS) and child trafficking etc thereby retarding developmental progress in Africa. This has resulted in many African nations diverting budgetary allowances which could have been used for other developmental into solving problems that could have been solved tangibly by education.
Giving quality education to African children would teach them how to safeguard their present and future by empowering them on self sufficiency, self reliance and rights protection and claims. It will help them to demand from the government what rightly belongs to them and rebuff all attempts of our leaders and their accomplices abroad to enrich themselves and embezzle resources meant for the present and future generations.Education would enable the African people to be committedly and effectively part of governance and policy designing, formulating, implementation and monitoring, as a result of the enlightenment it would have brought.
The conspiracy of the world financial organizations, multinationals and some western government on financial policies and public enterprises expenditure in Africa does not help matters either. The IMF and World Bank for example encourage low spending on public expenditures including education, and its privatization. The question that comes to mind is: What will be the role of the government if every necessary ingredient to citizens and national development is privatized? Just monitoring? So where does the huge amounts revenue they are making go to? Switzerland (personal foreign account), maybe. The measures especially on education given by these world financial institutions for Africa (under) are not fair in a globalised world like ours.
The very stringent reasons and measures of the world financial institutions (IMF, WB etc) to lend money to the poor nations of Africa could best be described as immoral, illegal and inhumane. Even in the western nations where private education is encouraged and practiced, their government does not dream of cutting their expenditure on such public vital institutions. But the same unfair measure is being introduced to the continent of Africa by same western nations controlled financial institutions, despite Africa background educational status. Yet the impression being given is that spending on education by the government of African nations is futile and unnecessary. All these negates the world declaration on education for all (EFA) adopted by over 160 countries including Nigeria and many other African nations. If it was all agreed at such conventions and many other education declarations that education no doubt liberates and assists individuals to develop their potentials and become better individuals, then there is the need for more spending on education in Africa, with improved curriculum suitable to our cultural and ancestral background and the future needs of the continental members must decides the future of its children through the improvement of the continent’s educational sector,withouth undue and unfair interference of the likes of IMF and world bank.Development agencies interested in African development could invest in education.
Instructional materials peculiar and suitable to the people and the future needs of the continent should be designed and developed for the use of children. Government must also give priority to special education of special children whose budgetary needs on the whole continent of Africa is not equal to the defense budget allocation of some five African countries combined. African leaders must endevour to make education of African children a developmental policy, especially because of the critical role education plays in any national and individual development. Leaders must wake to their responsibility by ensuring strict fiscal discipline, accountability and transparencyin budgetary allocation to the education sector, and respect the UNESCO adoption of 26% minimum allocation to education by developing nations, as well as the Universal declaration on Human rights and the International covenant on economic, social and cultural rights(ICESCR),all of which made it incumbent on nations of the world(including Africa),to make education available and accessible to everyone on the basis of equality.
With so much natural and human resources on the continent, the continent of Africa could be a better place only if there is an increase in investment on education. The success story of some Asian Nations that used to be “developing nation”, but now are developed nations should be a eye opener for African leaders. Leaders of the continent should endevour to introduce and implement educational system that’s relevant and best suit African peculiarities, and set more funds aside for capital expenditure especially on basic quality education. Having all African children in school could save more than half a million lives per day. African leaders must realize that unless education is given a central place in resource allocation, the continent may be left behind in achieving the objectives of Education For All Goals and the MDGs. Until and unless the Goal 2 of the MDGs is achieved as the minimum option on quality education provision for African children, the Africa continent may remained bedridden years to the detriments of its future generation.
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Economic Development in Africa
By Fingani Mphande (Malawi)Our continent Africa is overwhelmed by many economic challenges both in trade, industry and resources. African economy is comprised of trade, industry and the resources of people of Africa. Africa is described as the world’s poorest continent. But why is this? What are the factors that have led to the poor economy of our continent Africa?
To answer these questions let us look back to the history of Africa. Most African countries were colonized by European countries, including Britain, Germany, Portugal, Belgium, Italy, and France. When these countries left Africa many of the colonized countries have struggled to keep their economy afloat after the transition. As such most of the countries have been overtaken by corruption and deposition. Corrupt practices by African leaders and those in power in governments have allowed for the plunge of African economy. Most people in power have managed to swindle government or sate funds which were supposed to help their countries and used them for their own desires. As such the rich people in most African countries become richer as the poor population gets poorer. This is a very sad development because in this way Africa can not develop fully.
Corrupt practices in Africa are not the only source of economic problems. Stagnated foreign trade and investment and per capita income have also contributed to the poor economic growth. Africa economy is dependent on agriculture exports of cash crops such as cotton and other grains which are exported to Western states including Europe, Japan and the United states. In order to boost their economy many African states have ended up over producing these export crops to compete on the global market where prices are continually reducing. This practice though sometimes has ended with less food to feed the community as most of the resources are transferred to growing cash crops for export. Civil unrest and poor climate though have led to a lot of economic instability in many African countries.
Mining is another source of income in some African countries. The problem facing the mining industry is that governments and large corporations squander profits from the mining hence contributing to poor economic growth. Poor investment and reluctance of investors due to close governmental control have discouraged international investment. This is a bad stand for economic development for Africa.How can we boost African development? Can creation of employment reduce poverty in Africa? Oil producing countries have experienced high economic growth compared to non-oil producing states. How about those poor countries whose inflation rates keep falling, is there any chance of improving their economy?
Tourism has boosted the economy of certain countries in Africa but is this enough to sustain these nations economically?
Debt relief has helped many African countries with their economy, this is a positive development to Africa but is this enough? Africa depends a lot on external aid, is this healthy for the development of this continent?There are many unanswered questions surrounding the economic development of Africa. Is there hope for Africa’s economic development?
Friday, March 23, 2007
Developmental Aid to Africa, 30 Years After
Development Analysis Vol.5 (Volume 4 omitted)
Development Analysts provide commentaries based on their expertise and knowledge on development issues in Africa. To reply to these commentaries, register on the ARYI website and click on "blog", or e-mail: Development_Analysis@africaninitiative.org. This is an initiative by ARYI and the Forum for Global Action. The commentaries are viewpoints solely of the authors meant to initiate dialogue and critical thinking on development issues on the continent and globally.
Topic: Developmental Aid to Africa, 30 Years After
By: Fatoki Taiye Timmy (Nigeria)
As the real people of the world concluded the world social forum held in Kenya, one question that readily comes to mind is what were the main issues discussed? It is obvious from the type of people of the world that gathered in Kenya for the forum, that the issues discussed were poverty, diseases and the rest of the turbulence covering the face of the world.
The anonymous people of the world that gathered at the world social forum in Kenya are not the G8's of this world, but ordinary people who have made more remarkable positive impact on the ordinary citizens of the world than the G8, IMF, WORLD BANK and other credit institutions combined.
But the question is, if developmental aid to Africa over the past 30 years were really meant for Africa’s development, there would not be need for such gathering, which of course addressed issues much more related to the continent of Africa than any other, due to its acute under-development, poverty and increasing rate of preventable diseases. The ability of the developed countries and its credit institutions to handle global disasters and pandemic like HIV and AIDS especially in poor countries of the world has been put to test. They are simply failing by the day, and badly too. The lack of commitments to the promises made by these rich countries of the North seems more of a conspiracy of a sort. The Africanisation and commercialization of HIV and AIDS pandemic is a clear example of the West’s lack of commitment to the African continent. So also are the numerous neo-liberal policies that retard rather than grow our economies.
The HIV and AIDS pandemic for example has been made worse by the profit system of the west and their stooges- the multinational pharmaceutical companies. The west’s atrocities are made worse by its lack of commitment in the face of blind disguise of developmental aid to Africa. While imposing its neo- liberal economic policies characterized by privatization, deregulation and trade liberalization on the continent of Africa. In the same vein imposing their African stooges (so –called World Bank experts) on the African people.
It is well known that all African nations blindfolded into these neo–liberal economy have had and are still having increasing cost of essential service, with a clear exacerbation of the effect of poverty. The west’s strict budgetary constraints on public spending as a condition of receiving loans and other beneficial financial facilities prevents poor nations of Africa from spending the meager amount they have on developmental projects and public sectors, causing lots of dehumanizing and immoral effects on the African people. For example out of the over 40 million people living with HIV and AIDS, 28 million are from sub- Saharan Africa. Out of about over 20 countries with the highest child mortality rates, 19 are from in Africa, the only exception being Afghanistan. And 1 in 6 children in sub-Saharan African dies before the age of 10 compared to 1 in about 200 in western countries. What could be more terrorizing than taking away people’s source of livelihood through economic exploitation and degradation of its environment.
More than 30 years of developmental aid to Africa. The UN still estimate that 11 million children in Sub-Saharan African have lost at least 1 parent to the HIV and AIDS pandemic, and predict that by the end of the decade, there could be 20 million of Orphan and Vulnerable children (OVC) in the region. Corruption on the continent is still at an all time high despite the surface efforts African leaders (including Nigeria’s leader) pretend to be putting in place.
Corruption in Africa comes with the help of the west who lodge in ill-gotten wealth of corrupt African leader in their countries. corporate giants of the west operating in Africa are daily reducing the means of livelihood of the African people, exploring Africa soil, at the same time exploiting the African people (SHELL, CHEVRON etc) through pollution of rivers and farmland, tax evasion etc. The neo- liberalism concept of the west has denied African countries their resources, food subsidies, health and education services. What more could be defined as injustice, slavery and dehumanization of a people than the having to know that in the world today, about 3 billion people (majority of whom are Africans) live on less income together than the world’s richest 300.
It is simply a show of lack of basic human decency and lack of compassion. Malaria in the world today still remains the biggest killer disease in Africa, coupled with the pandemic of HIV and AIDS, the continent of Africa seems to be on the same spot, even with over 30 years of developmental aid.
It is time to act and act well. Unless and until the west really gets committed to the plight of the African people by finding lasting solution to the problem of HIV and AIDS and malaria, environmental degradation by the multinational oil companies, unbalanced social and economic policies, unfair trade and the insincerity of the world financial institutions. And unless this form of terrorism on the African people stops, even 30 years from now, the continent of Africa could remain the same, if not worse. And surely the rest of the world would share of the brunt, because no one is safe until all are saved.
Development Analysts provide commentaries based on their expertise and knowledge on development issues in Africa. To reply to these commentaries, register on the ARYI website and click on "blog", or e-mail: Development_Analysis@africaninitiative.org. This is an initiative by ARYI and the Forum for Global Action. The commentaries are viewpoints solely of the authors meant to initiate dialogue and critical thinking on development issues on the continent and globally.
Topic: Developmental Aid to Africa, 30 Years After
By: Fatoki Taiye Timmy (Nigeria)
As the real people of the world concluded the world social forum held in Kenya, one question that readily comes to mind is what were the main issues discussed? It is obvious from the type of people of the world that gathered in Kenya for the forum, that the issues discussed were poverty, diseases and the rest of the turbulence covering the face of the world.
The anonymous people of the world that gathered at the world social forum in Kenya are not the G8's of this world, but ordinary people who have made more remarkable positive impact on the ordinary citizens of the world than the G8, IMF, WORLD BANK and other credit institutions combined.
But the question is, if developmental aid to Africa over the past 30 years were really meant for Africa’s development, there would not be need for such gathering, which of course addressed issues much more related to the continent of Africa than any other, due to its acute under-development, poverty and increasing rate of preventable diseases. The ability of the developed countries and its credit institutions to handle global disasters and pandemic like HIV and AIDS especially in poor countries of the world has been put to test. They are simply failing by the day, and badly too. The lack of commitments to the promises made by these rich countries of the North seems more of a conspiracy of a sort. The Africanisation and commercialization of HIV and AIDS pandemic is a clear example of the West’s lack of commitment to the African continent. So also are the numerous neo-liberal policies that retard rather than grow our economies.
The HIV and AIDS pandemic for example has been made worse by the profit system of the west and their stooges- the multinational pharmaceutical companies. The west’s atrocities are made worse by its lack of commitment in the face of blind disguise of developmental aid to Africa. While imposing its neo- liberal economic policies characterized by privatization, deregulation and trade liberalization on the continent of Africa. In the same vein imposing their African stooges (so –called World Bank experts) on the African people.
It is well known that all African nations blindfolded into these neo–liberal economy have had and are still having increasing cost of essential service, with a clear exacerbation of the effect of poverty. The west’s strict budgetary constraints on public spending as a condition of receiving loans and other beneficial financial facilities prevents poor nations of Africa from spending the meager amount they have on developmental projects and public sectors, causing lots of dehumanizing and immoral effects on the African people. For example out of the over 40 million people living with HIV and AIDS, 28 million are from sub- Saharan Africa. Out of about over 20 countries with the highest child mortality rates, 19 are from in Africa, the only exception being Afghanistan. And 1 in 6 children in sub-Saharan African dies before the age of 10 compared to 1 in about 200 in western countries. What could be more terrorizing than taking away people’s source of livelihood through economic exploitation and degradation of its environment.
More than 30 years of developmental aid to Africa. The UN still estimate that 11 million children in Sub-Saharan African have lost at least 1 parent to the HIV and AIDS pandemic, and predict that by the end of the decade, there could be 20 million of Orphan and Vulnerable children (OVC) in the region. Corruption on the continent is still at an all time high despite the surface efforts African leaders (including Nigeria’s leader) pretend to be putting in place.
Corruption in Africa comes with the help of the west who lodge in ill-gotten wealth of corrupt African leader in their countries. corporate giants of the west operating in Africa are daily reducing the means of livelihood of the African people, exploring Africa soil, at the same time exploiting the African people (SHELL, CHEVRON etc) through pollution of rivers and farmland, tax evasion etc. The neo- liberalism concept of the west has denied African countries their resources, food subsidies, health and education services. What more could be defined as injustice, slavery and dehumanization of a people than the having to know that in the world today, about 3 billion people (majority of whom are Africans) live on less income together than the world’s richest 300.
It is simply a show of lack of basic human decency and lack of compassion. Malaria in the world today still remains the biggest killer disease in Africa, coupled with the pandemic of HIV and AIDS, the continent of Africa seems to be on the same spot, even with over 30 years of developmental aid.
It is time to act and act well. Unless and until the west really gets committed to the plight of the African people by finding lasting solution to the problem of HIV and AIDS and malaria, environmental degradation by the multinational oil companies, unbalanced social and economic policies, unfair trade and the insincerity of the world financial institutions. And unless this form of terrorism on the African people stops, even 30 years from now, the continent of Africa could remain the same, if not worse. And surely the rest of the world would share of the brunt, because no one is safe until all are saved.
2007 Elections in Africa: Nigeria as a case study
Development Analysis Vol.3
Development Analysts provide commentaries based on their expertise and knowledge on development issues in Africa. To reply to these commentaries, register on the ARYI website and click on "blog", or e-mail: Development_Analysis@africaninitiative.org.
This is an initiative by ARYI and the Forum for Global Action.The commentaries are viewpoints solely of the authors meant to initiate dialogue and critical thinking on development issues on the continent and globally.
Title: 2007 Elections in Africa: Nigeria as a case study
By: Fatoki Taiye Timmy (Nigeria)
Elections all over the world are meant to be a tool for positive change, affecting people's socio-economic developement. But over the years, voters all around the world are becoming increasingly disappointed with their political leaders turned rulers, especially on the continent of Africa, where elections of political leadership does not necessarily translates into any meaningful and effective impacts on the populace. Rather, those structures needed and necessary for man's development deteriorates by the day, even the dignity of man has been reduced by the unfortunate attitudes of our leaders, most of who are scheming to spend their entire life RULING the African people. Even, some would have preferred to make the leadership position an extension of their family estate.In Nigeria, the case is not different. Even though the excesses of political recklessness has not led to any kind of war like in some African countries, innocent children and women are daily becoming victims of our leaders myopic thoughts.
Nigeria's political/electoral systems encapsulate all that has gone wrong tragically awry with the Africa nations. But the questions that readily come to one's mind is why do Africa leaders continued to recycled bad leaders? Does the people choose these leaders? Were they elected or simply selected by the power that be? In the case of Nigeria, many eligible voters are no more interested in voting or participating in the electoral processes as contestants, simply because they have lost confidence in the system that should produce good leaders. Some of the other reasons include:
Intimidation of opposing forces/parties by the government of the day.
Partisanship of the government of the nation’s security forces.
Strong emphasis laid on money politics.
Lost of confidence in the leaders.
Non-inclusive of the people in programme /project designs and implementation.
Sit- tight leadership style.
Electoral fraud and malpractices.
Poverty and lack of employment.
Non-existing or few (where existing) people centered policies and projects.
Corruption and lack of transparency e.t.c.
These and many more have led African citizens not to live up to and perform their civic responsibilities via electoral and political participation and process. For example, due to poverty and lack of employment in the land, politicians employ youth as political thugs and electoral violence promoters, and take advantage of their parents' financial lack to blackmail them into voting for the wrong people. The fact that politicians enrich themselves through political office rather than using the office as a force for positive socio-political change also make the political atmosphere charged with violence, assassination and intimidation as it has been witnessed in Nigeria in the past eight months.
It is so bad that even Nigeria's vice-president was intimidated by the president and some members of the executive cabinet. Citizens are tired of this type of blind leadership in the nation that see leaders hardly rewarding virtue and punishing vices, except if you're in the wrong clique. The masses are fed up with this type of leadership soaked in strange moral contortions that define the nation's policy.The fact that governments on the African continent has hardly implemented projects that put people first is enough reason for people to be fed up. Or what is the essence of voting for changes that never was?
Rather political offices are seen as another professional seat where it is easier and cheaper to enrich oneself without having to pay for it. Instead of African leaders (Nigeria inclusive) to put the people first, they continued to implement capitalist agendas of the world bank, IMF and its likes in the name of reforms; reforms that has not worked in any African countries.Elections in Africa have turned into what the west want and not necessarily who the African people want. A case study is that is that of Liberia. The intrusion of the West in Africa's electoral processes also contributes to the type of leaders we produce on the continent. The electoral victory of Kabila of Congo and Sirleaf Johnson of Liberia would continue to be a source of discussion for time and neither would Nigerians forget the roles of the west in the killing of the presidential winner of the 1993 presidential election fairest and freest in the nations history.
It is more that thirty years after developed countries started sending aid materials to Africa, yet Africa has witnessed little significant development. It goes a long way to support the fact that our political leaders have failed us. What can be done now is for the civil society organizations, faith based organizations and community organizations to come together and challenge the governments of the day, enlighten the popular on their civic rights, roles and responsibilities as well as those of the governments Africans can only get the change we seek if we come all out of as one to demand for our rights and wants and abolished what we ditest.
It is time for African people to change the rule of the game (electioneering system) and possibly the players (leaders) too. The governments of the day must instill confidence into the people by implementing people centered projects, by been accountable and transparent to the led and by doing away with sit tight leadership syndrome like of the Nigeria's president Obasanjo's failed third term agenda. The media must also come out clearly to expose the evil acts of the people in governance and enlighten the people on roles and responsibilities.Electoral/political processes and systems that laid more emphasis on women inclusion and involvement as well as the development of women and young people is also paramount if we are ever to have a free, fair and participatory election in Africa.
*******************************
Fatoki Taiye Timmy is a young activist (promoting the right of children and vulnerable groups) he was a two-time senator of the National Association of Nigerian students (Africa's largest association). Fatoki Taiye Timmy is a two time national essay and art awards winner. He was a team leader of the national youth exchange Nigeria (2004), and a southwest delegate to the Nigeria youth policy agenda (2004). In 2005 Fatoki Taiye Timmy was the project supervisor of Global Xchange (an international exchange of young people in the UK and five other countries). He is a proficient speaker- a young pan-African. In the year 2005 he presented a position paper of the African youths at the G8 alternative summit in Scotland. Fatoki Taiye Timmy presently is a programme officer in the Integrated Youth Development Department of Life Vanguards Nigeria (a youth focused NGO).
His hobbies include reading, music, swimming and traveling. He is committed to see a better world. As a graduate of Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, his passion includes bringing people out of their prisoned existence, one of the many things he learnt at the ivory tower.
Development Analysts provide commentaries based on their expertise and knowledge on development issues in Africa. To reply to these commentaries, register on the ARYI website and click on "blog", or e-mail: Development_Analysis@africaninitiative.org.
This is an initiative by ARYI and the Forum for Global Action.The commentaries are viewpoints solely of the authors meant to initiate dialogue and critical thinking on development issues on the continent and globally.
Title: 2007 Elections in Africa: Nigeria as a case study
By: Fatoki Taiye Timmy (Nigeria)
Elections all over the world are meant to be a tool for positive change, affecting people's socio-economic developement. But over the years, voters all around the world are becoming increasingly disappointed with their political leaders turned rulers, especially on the continent of Africa, where elections of political leadership does not necessarily translates into any meaningful and effective impacts on the populace. Rather, those structures needed and necessary for man's development deteriorates by the day, even the dignity of man has been reduced by the unfortunate attitudes of our leaders, most of who are scheming to spend their entire life RULING the African people. Even, some would have preferred to make the leadership position an extension of their family estate.In Nigeria, the case is not different. Even though the excesses of political recklessness has not led to any kind of war like in some African countries, innocent children and women are daily becoming victims of our leaders myopic thoughts.
Nigeria's political/electoral systems encapsulate all that has gone wrong tragically awry with the Africa nations. But the questions that readily come to one's mind is why do Africa leaders continued to recycled bad leaders? Does the people choose these leaders? Were they elected or simply selected by the power that be? In the case of Nigeria, many eligible voters are no more interested in voting or participating in the electoral processes as contestants, simply because they have lost confidence in the system that should produce good leaders. Some of the other reasons include:
Intimidation of opposing forces/parties by the government of the day.
Partisanship of the government of the nation’s security forces.
Strong emphasis laid on money politics.
Lost of confidence in the leaders.
Non-inclusive of the people in programme /project designs and implementation.
Sit- tight leadership style.
Electoral fraud and malpractices.
Poverty and lack of employment.
Non-existing or few (where existing) people centered policies and projects.
Corruption and lack of transparency e.t.c.
These and many more have led African citizens not to live up to and perform their civic responsibilities via electoral and political participation and process. For example, due to poverty and lack of employment in the land, politicians employ youth as political thugs and electoral violence promoters, and take advantage of their parents' financial lack to blackmail them into voting for the wrong people. The fact that politicians enrich themselves through political office rather than using the office as a force for positive socio-political change also make the political atmosphere charged with violence, assassination and intimidation as it has been witnessed in Nigeria in the past eight months.
It is so bad that even Nigeria's vice-president was intimidated by the president and some members of the executive cabinet. Citizens are tired of this type of blind leadership in the nation that see leaders hardly rewarding virtue and punishing vices, except if you're in the wrong clique. The masses are fed up with this type of leadership soaked in strange moral contortions that define the nation's policy.The fact that governments on the African continent has hardly implemented projects that put people first is enough reason for people to be fed up. Or what is the essence of voting for changes that never was?
Rather political offices are seen as another professional seat where it is easier and cheaper to enrich oneself without having to pay for it. Instead of African leaders (Nigeria inclusive) to put the people first, they continued to implement capitalist agendas of the world bank, IMF and its likes in the name of reforms; reforms that has not worked in any African countries.Elections in Africa have turned into what the west want and not necessarily who the African people want. A case study is that is that of Liberia. The intrusion of the West in Africa's electoral processes also contributes to the type of leaders we produce on the continent. The electoral victory of Kabila of Congo and Sirleaf Johnson of Liberia would continue to be a source of discussion for time and neither would Nigerians forget the roles of the west in the killing of the presidential winner of the 1993 presidential election fairest and freest in the nations history.
It is more that thirty years after developed countries started sending aid materials to Africa, yet Africa has witnessed little significant development. It goes a long way to support the fact that our political leaders have failed us. What can be done now is for the civil society organizations, faith based organizations and community organizations to come together and challenge the governments of the day, enlighten the popular on their civic rights, roles and responsibilities as well as those of the governments Africans can only get the change we seek if we come all out of as one to demand for our rights and wants and abolished what we ditest.
It is time for African people to change the rule of the game (electioneering system) and possibly the players (leaders) too. The governments of the day must instill confidence into the people by implementing people centered projects, by been accountable and transparent to the led and by doing away with sit tight leadership syndrome like of the Nigeria's president Obasanjo's failed third term agenda. The media must also come out clearly to expose the evil acts of the people in governance and enlighten the people on roles and responsibilities.Electoral/political processes and systems that laid more emphasis on women inclusion and involvement as well as the development of women and young people is also paramount if we are ever to have a free, fair and participatory election in Africa.
*******************************
Fatoki Taiye Timmy is a young activist (promoting the right of children and vulnerable groups) he was a two-time senator of the National Association of Nigerian students (Africa's largest association). Fatoki Taiye Timmy is a two time national essay and art awards winner. He was a team leader of the national youth exchange Nigeria (2004), and a southwest delegate to the Nigeria youth policy agenda (2004). In 2005 Fatoki Taiye Timmy was the project supervisor of Global Xchange (an international exchange of young people in the UK and five other countries). He is a proficient speaker- a young pan-African. In the year 2005 he presented a position paper of the African youths at the G8 alternative summit in Scotland. Fatoki Taiye Timmy presently is a programme officer in the Integrated Youth Development Department of Life Vanguards Nigeria (a youth focused NGO).
His hobbies include reading, music, swimming and traveling. He is committed to see a better world. As a graduate of Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, his passion includes bringing people out of their prisoned existence, one of the many things he learnt at the ivory tower.
Why Are More Women HIV Infected Than Males in Kenya?
Development Analysis Vol.2
Development Analysts provide commentaries based on their expertise and knowledge on development issues in Africa. To reply to these commentaries, register on the ARYI website and click on "blog", or e-mail Development_Analysis@africaninitiative.org. This is an initiative by ARYI and the Forum for Global Action.The commentaries are viewpoints solely of the authors meant to initiate dialogue and critical thinking on development issues on the continent and globally.
Development Analysis Vol. 2
By: Imelda Akinyi (Kenya)
Title: WHY ARE MORE WOMEN HIV INFECTED THAN MALES IN KENYA?
It has been realized that more women are HIV infected than males in Kenya. According to the National Aids Control Council analysis of HIV/AIDs on 12th Oct, 2006 in the Kenya Standard paper, we have women leading with 7.7% of 1,276,000 persons which is the total number of HIV infected persons. When we look at the analysis of the youth, HIV infected youth males were 0.8% and females were 4.5%.This is so because more female youths are involved in ‘sugar-daddy’ relationships than males due to poverty or rather unemployment conditions unlike males who are flexible and can do any kind of work for money e.g. luggage carrying at bus stations, pit latrine digging, bicycle (boda boda) transportation e.t.c.
Females are more accessible to medical facilities than males thus earlier detection of their status. Their accessibility to medical facilities is seen when they see gynecologists during pregnancy. Most males will always try hard to persevere what is termed as ‘jikaza kisabuni’ thus they only look for medical facilities when they are very down. This could be what elevates the number of infected females since the data for analysis is collected in hospital yet most strong HIV infected males are still out there in the field while strong HIV infected females are in the hospitals for medical check-ups. More females are victims of rape cases than males. Thus, the spread of HIV and AIDs is increased amongst females. Less safer and protected sex is being practiced on young women since they date older men ‘sugar-daddies’ that they awe thus no discussion on safer sex is done or rather it is the ‘sugar-daddies’ who decide on whether to have protected and safer sex or not.
Marriage is valued so much in Kenya such that even when a husband is unfaithful, the wife remains quiet for the sake of keeping the marriage thus women still do not know their rights. Domestic violence is still practiced, in that if a husband is promiscuous, the wife remains silence because if she attars any word on that she is bitten up.
What are we doing? Women are now being more open to their daughters like we have an anti-AIDs advert on ‘Open Your Heart, Talk!’ This advert encourages parents especially mothers to be very free with their daughters, this way they can advise and educate their girls on HIV/AIDs awareness. Good enough it’s a women and a girl-focused advertising. The government has also played a big role by reducing the prices of sanitary towels from ksh.95 to Ksh.65. This is now better and quite affordable to the youth. This way the rate of prostitution for money for sanitary towels has been reduced.
One of our Kenyan nominated Member of Parliament Mrs. Njoki Ndung’u proposed hardening of punishments for rapists and it was accepted and now rapists are punished more than before. This has promoted good conduct amongst Kenyans. Voluntary HIV Counseling and Testing services are given out for free and these services have been opened in most rural areas, dispensaries and hospitals where many people can access them. Thus, most people whether infected or affected are informed and guided. The Government gives out condoms for free. The condoms are found in dispensaries, hospitals and social halls. This way, those who cannot purchase condoms still have access to the government ones since they serve the same purpose.
Kenyan women have formed many small organizations that promote the fight against HIV/AIDS. This encourages good conduct amongst them in relation to HIV/AIDs prevention.
Problems faced.: We have still not come to the level of gender equality and that is why women still hold on to unfaithful husbands. Most HIV infected persons are not open to the society due to fear of stigmatization thus they can still date the healthy ones and infect them or be re-infected. Openness between youths and parents has not been fully achieved due to African taboos where it is still believed that sex is an obscene thing and should not be discussed with young ones.Early forced marriages and wife inheritance are still practiced.Anti Retro-viral drug use has increased sexual practices on some infected persons, since some of them do not appreciate the importance of the treatment but instead are out to revenge by infecting others.
*********************************************
Written and compiled by ARYI Development Analyst Imelda Akinyi, a biomedical scientist living in Kenya.
Development Analysts provide commentaries based on their expertise and knowledge on development issues in Africa. To reply to these commentaries, register on the ARYI website and click on "blog", or e-mail Development_Analysis@africaninitiative.org. This is an initiative by ARYI and the Forum for Global Action.The commentaries are viewpoints solely of the authors meant to initiate dialogue and critical thinking on development issues on the continent and globally.
Development Analysis Vol. 2
By: Imelda Akinyi (Kenya)
Title: WHY ARE MORE WOMEN HIV INFECTED THAN MALES IN KENYA?
It has been realized that more women are HIV infected than males in Kenya. According to the National Aids Control Council analysis of HIV/AIDs on 12th Oct, 2006 in the Kenya Standard paper, we have women leading with 7.7% of 1,276,000 persons which is the total number of HIV infected persons. When we look at the analysis of the youth, HIV infected youth males were 0.8% and females were 4.5%.This is so because more female youths are involved in ‘sugar-daddy’ relationships than males due to poverty or rather unemployment conditions unlike males who are flexible and can do any kind of work for money e.g. luggage carrying at bus stations, pit latrine digging, bicycle (boda boda) transportation e.t.c.
Females are more accessible to medical facilities than males thus earlier detection of their status. Their accessibility to medical facilities is seen when they see gynecologists during pregnancy. Most males will always try hard to persevere what is termed as ‘jikaza kisabuni’ thus they only look for medical facilities when they are very down. This could be what elevates the number of infected females since the data for analysis is collected in hospital yet most strong HIV infected males are still out there in the field while strong HIV infected females are in the hospitals for medical check-ups. More females are victims of rape cases than males. Thus, the spread of HIV and AIDs is increased amongst females. Less safer and protected sex is being practiced on young women since they date older men ‘sugar-daddies’ that they awe thus no discussion on safer sex is done or rather it is the ‘sugar-daddies’ who decide on whether to have protected and safer sex or not.
Marriage is valued so much in Kenya such that even when a husband is unfaithful, the wife remains quiet for the sake of keeping the marriage thus women still do not know their rights. Domestic violence is still practiced, in that if a husband is promiscuous, the wife remains silence because if she attars any word on that she is bitten up.
What are we doing? Women are now being more open to their daughters like we have an anti-AIDs advert on ‘Open Your Heart, Talk!’ This advert encourages parents especially mothers to be very free with their daughters, this way they can advise and educate their girls on HIV/AIDs awareness. Good enough it’s a women and a girl-focused advertising. The government has also played a big role by reducing the prices of sanitary towels from ksh.95 to Ksh.65. This is now better and quite affordable to the youth. This way the rate of prostitution for money for sanitary towels has been reduced.
One of our Kenyan nominated Member of Parliament Mrs. Njoki Ndung’u proposed hardening of punishments for rapists and it was accepted and now rapists are punished more than before. This has promoted good conduct amongst Kenyans. Voluntary HIV Counseling and Testing services are given out for free and these services have been opened in most rural areas, dispensaries and hospitals where many people can access them. Thus, most people whether infected or affected are informed and guided. The Government gives out condoms for free. The condoms are found in dispensaries, hospitals and social halls. This way, those who cannot purchase condoms still have access to the government ones since they serve the same purpose.
Kenyan women have formed many small organizations that promote the fight against HIV/AIDS. This encourages good conduct amongst them in relation to HIV/AIDs prevention.
Problems faced.: We have still not come to the level of gender equality and that is why women still hold on to unfaithful husbands. Most HIV infected persons are not open to the society due to fear of stigmatization thus they can still date the healthy ones and infect them or be re-infected. Openness between youths and parents has not been fully achieved due to African taboos where it is still believed that sex is an obscene thing and should not be discussed with young ones.Early forced marriages and wife inheritance are still practiced.Anti Retro-viral drug use has increased sexual practices on some infected persons, since some of them do not appreciate the importance of the treatment but instead are out to revenge by infecting others.
*********************************************
Written and compiled by ARYI Development Analyst Imelda Akinyi, a biomedical scientist living in Kenya.
Friday, March 9, 2007
Development Analysts
An initiative created by the African Regional Youth Initiative, Development Analysts (DAs)provide commentaries based on their expertise and knowledge on development issues in Africa. If interested to be a DA, contact the African Regional Youth Initiative at info@africaninitiative.org. DA commentaries are regularly posted at www.africaninitiative.org/af.
Development Analysis Vol. 1
By: Idowu Mopelola Ajibade (Nigeria)
Topic: The Challenge of Democratic Consolidation in Nigeria: A case for strengthening the Media
The challenge of democratic consolidation and economic development stare Nigeria in the face as she enters the 21st century. Conventional approaches to addressing this pressing problem often ignore the role of the media as key players in the democratization process and nation building. Yet, pragmatic wisdom proves that the media, if properly positioned within the matrix of governance, can be a strong and vibrant force for the emergence and consolidation of democracy.
The Nigerian development story has consistently been one helpless struggle with mass poverty, illiteracy, disease and corruption. Inspite of the country’s huge human capacity and material wealth, the aspirations of poor Nigerians have been repeatedly dashed by the pervasiveness of authoritarian culture, patriarchal gendered policies, and an overbearing political bureaucracy. Rather than focus on increasing the choices, liberties and quality of life of the people, the government have been overtly concerned with the formal elements of development, especially those that are only connected to structural changes and institutional building to the neglect of properly locating people as ‘ends’ in development. As eminent scholars like Amartya Sen and Arjun Sengunpta have argued, unless a government puts its people at the epicenter of its development goals, little or no positive returns would be achieved.
From the perspective of human-centered development therefore, Nigeria remains a flawed example. While successive governments continue to pursue increase in GDP’s, infrastructural reforms, and elite-centered politics, its citizenry wallow further in destitution, social marginalization and endless conflicts. The bleakness of the situation has led some development skeptics to regard Nigeria as impervious to progress. Such critics have also, anchored their conclusions on the chilling statistics of the UNDP 2005 Human Development Indices, which shows that 70 percent of Nigerians, [about 84million] still live below the bread line; that nearly a third of the population over the age of 15 are illiterate and that more than 45% of the country’s children are forced into labour. As if these are not bad enough, about 3.6 million people are living with HIV/AIDS while several thousands of people are homeless.
In the face of all these, the political landscape offers no respite. Nigeria, today, reveals a depressing catalog of corruption, social injustices, and an alarming disregard for the rule of law. In its 2005 corruption perception index, Transparency International rated Nigeria the 6th most corrupt nation in the world, while Freedom House, in its 2005 annual assessment of democracy, gave Nigeria a downward grade on account of the increased threats and attacks against the media, the statutory restriction on the rights of trade unions, and greater violence in the Niger delta region. The judiciary, last bastion in the defense of rule of law, is also culpable. Regarding the integrity of judges, the National Judicial Council has dismissed at least 20 judges in the past five years for accepting bribes and making improper judgments, some of which were perceived to be in favor of the ruling party or the government.
Albeit the Nigerian tale is not all bad news, there are glimmers of hope: most recently the current administration aided by institutions of the civic sector has recorded some achievements in combating corruption. Several key corrupt officials including the former Inspector General of Police, Tafa Balogun, and two state governors; Governor Joshua Dariye of Plateau state, and former Governor of Bayelsa State, Deprieye Alamiyesigha, have been exposed and being prosecuted by the Economic and financial Crimes Commission (EFFC). However, more needs to be done with respect to human rights protection, and developing effective poverty reduction strategies.
The media is central to forging a resolution, in my view, to the Nigerian dilemma. Aside from the fact that, historically, the Nigerian media have earned a honored place in the minds of our citizens, they have been credited for their resilient spirit and commitment to safeguarding the country’s nascent democracy. Their historic role in salvaging the country from the shackles of military junta in the early sixties and more prominently in the early nineties validates the claim that the media is a fundamental force for national development.
Since the media is the communicative link between the government and the people, it invariably serve as a crucial platform through which the people can claim and assert their basic rights, challenge structures, institution and systems of injustice and oppression. The media, through investigative and unbiased reporting, can expose how existing systems, policies and practices perpetuate poverty and injustice, thus giving a voice to the poor and marginalized people in the society, and thereby creating the momentum for social change.
Locating the media as a central force in democratic development raises the challenge of dealing with the rigors of a participatory approach to nation building. Since human centered development ultimately calls for a view to frame issues from a human rights perspective, particularly the right to information projected through the media, it therefore creates an active process of citizens’ participation in governance, one that lays emphasis on the right of individuals to appropriate information and services that enable them make well-informed and enlightened choices.
However, the fact remains that the media also have the capacity to breed contempt, aid social injustice and manipulate public sentiments to the detriment of national goals. The level of corruption and lack of professionalism in the media today creates an anxiety that suggest that if Nigeria is to secure and sustain its modest achievement in many quarters, redeeming the media from political manipulation and ethical deformities holds a valuable promise for national progress in holistic terms. These are valid concerns but they need not distract from the urgent challenge of designing a viable, professional, independent and free media in service of a democratic Nigeria.
To be sure, transforming the country depends, in large measure, on efforts channeled at entrenching liberal democracy as a national political value , as well as other efforts to bolster the rule of law, reform the judicial and security sectors; enhance legislative training and effectiveness; by ensuring accountability and transparency, civic education, and public participation in governance. All these, however, will come to naught except a fundamental review of the national ethical framework is promoted through a free and independent media which remains a principal means to, and product of good governance.
As Nigeria forges ahead in her democratic struggles especially with the forth coming election around the corner, strengthening the Nigerian media to become facilitators of positive social change rather than as disinterested observers can contribute considerably ; to combating the exclusion and marginalization of the poor, generate greater participation, accountability and transparency in governance. This, to my mind, is a key to true progress in Nigeria.
//////////////////////////////////////////
Idowu Mopelola Ajibade (Nigeria) is one of several ARYI Development Analysts in Africa. Her background is International Law and Human Rights. Idowu chose this topic on democratic consolidation because "Nigeria is currently at another transitional phase and challenges trailing the country with regards to this issue is indeed enormous; on the political, social as well as the economic end. There have been more than three suspected politically motivated assassinations this year alone, the judiciary also is been challenged by the several impeachment saga going on the country, while the economic and financial crimes commission – which is Nigeria’s foremost and powerful anti-graft body is been ridiculed by accusations of selectivity. The media equally have not escaped some criticisms in all these issues; they are currently placed on a hot-seat to ensure that objective and unbiased reporting remains their watch-word has they carry out their constitutional responsibility of playing the watch-dog role."
Development Analysis Vol. 1
By: Idowu Mopelola Ajibade (Nigeria)
Topic: The Challenge of Democratic Consolidation in Nigeria: A case for strengthening the Media
The challenge of democratic consolidation and economic development stare Nigeria in the face as she enters the 21st century. Conventional approaches to addressing this pressing problem often ignore the role of the media as key players in the democratization process and nation building. Yet, pragmatic wisdom proves that the media, if properly positioned within the matrix of governance, can be a strong and vibrant force for the emergence and consolidation of democracy.
The Nigerian development story has consistently been one helpless struggle with mass poverty, illiteracy, disease and corruption. Inspite of the country’s huge human capacity and material wealth, the aspirations of poor Nigerians have been repeatedly dashed by the pervasiveness of authoritarian culture, patriarchal gendered policies, and an overbearing political bureaucracy. Rather than focus on increasing the choices, liberties and quality of life of the people, the government have been overtly concerned with the formal elements of development, especially those that are only connected to structural changes and institutional building to the neglect of properly locating people as ‘ends’ in development. As eminent scholars like Amartya Sen and Arjun Sengunpta have argued, unless a government puts its people at the epicenter of its development goals, little or no positive returns would be achieved.
From the perspective of human-centered development therefore, Nigeria remains a flawed example. While successive governments continue to pursue increase in GDP’s, infrastructural reforms, and elite-centered politics, its citizenry wallow further in destitution, social marginalization and endless conflicts. The bleakness of the situation has led some development skeptics to regard Nigeria as impervious to progress. Such critics have also, anchored their conclusions on the chilling statistics of the UNDP 2005 Human Development Indices, which shows that 70 percent of Nigerians, [about 84million] still live below the bread line; that nearly a third of the population over the age of 15 are illiterate and that more than 45% of the country’s children are forced into labour. As if these are not bad enough, about 3.6 million people are living with HIV/AIDS while several thousands of people are homeless.
In the face of all these, the political landscape offers no respite. Nigeria, today, reveals a depressing catalog of corruption, social injustices, and an alarming disregard for the rule of law. In its 2005 corruption perception index, Transparency International rated Nigeria the 6th most corrupt nation in the world, while Freedom House, in its 2005 annual assessment of democracy, gave Nigeria a downward grade on account of the increased threats and attacks against the media, the statutory restriction on the rights of trade unions, and greater violence in the Niger delta region. The judiciary, last bastion in the defense of rule of law, is also culpable. Regarding the integrity of judges, the National Judicial Council has dismissed at least 20 judges in the past five years for accepting bribes and making improper judgments, some of which were perceived to be in favor of the ruling party or the government.
Albeit the Nigerian tale is not all bad news, there are glimmers of hope: most recently the current administration aided by institutions of the civic sector has recorded some achievements in combating corruption. Several key corrupt officials including the former Inspector General of Police, Tafa Balogun, and two state governors; Governor Joshua Dariye of Plateau state, and former Governor of Bayelsa State, Deprieye Alamiyesigha, have been exposed and being prosecuted by the Economic and financial Crimes Commission (EFFC). However, more needs to be done with respect to human rights protection, and developing effective poverty reduction strategies.
The media is central to forging a resolution, in my view, to the Nigerian dilemma. Aside from the fact that, historically, the Nigerian media have earned a honored place in the minds of our citizens, they have been credited for their resilient spirit and commitment to safeguarding the country’s nascent democracy. Their historic role in salvaging the country from the shackles of military junta in the early sixties and more prominently in the early nineties validates the claim that the media is a fundamental force for national development.
Since the media is the communicative link between the government and the people, it invariably serve as a crucial platform through which the people can claim and assert their basic rights, challenge structures, institution and systems of injustice and oppression. The media, through investigative and unbiased reporting, can expose how existing systems, policies and practices perpetuate poverty and injustice, thus giving a voice to the poor and marginalized people in the society, and thereby creating the momentum for social change.
Locating the media as a central force in democratic development raises the challenge of dealing with the rigors of a participatory approach to nation building. Since human centered development ultimately calls for a view to frame issues from a human rights perspective, particularly the right to information projected through the media, it therefore creates an active process of citizens’ participation in governance, one that lays emphasis on the right of individuals to appropriate information and services that enable them make well-informed and enlightened choices.
However, the fact remains that the media also have the capacity to breed contempt, aid social injustice and manipulate public sentiments to the detriment of national goals. The level of corruption and lack of professionalism in the media today creates an anxiety that suggest that if Nigeria is to secure and sustain its modest achievement in many quarters, redeeming the media from political manipulation and ethical deformities holds a valuable promise for national progress in holistic terms. These are valid concerns but they need not distract from the urgent challenge of designing a viable, professional, independent and free media in service of a democratic Nigeria.
To be sure, transforming the country depends, in large measure, on efforts channeled at entrenching liberal democracy as a national political value , as well as other efforts to bolster the rule of law, reform the judicial and security sectors; enhance legislative training and effectiveness; by ensuring accountability and transparency, civic education, and public participation in governance. All these, however, will come to naught except a fundamental review of the national ethical framework is promoted through a free and independent media which remains a principal means to, and product of good governance.
As Nigeria forges ahead in her democratic struggles especially with the forth coming election around the corner, strengthening the Nigerian media to become facilitators of positive social change rather than as disinterested observers can contribute considerably ; to combating the exclusion and marginalization of the poor, generate greater participation, accountability and transparency in governance. This, to my mind, is a key to true progress in Nigeria.
//////////////////////////////////////////
Idowu Mopelola Ajibade (Nigeria) is one of several ARYI Development Analysts in Africa. Her background is International Law and Human Rights. Idowu chose this topic on democratic consolidation because "Nigeria is currently at another transitional phase and challenges trailing the country with regards to this issue is indeed enormous; on the political, social as well as the economic end. There have been more than three suspected politically motivated assassinations this year alone, the judiciary also is been challenged by the several impeachment saga going on the country, while the economic and financial crimes commission – which is Nigeria’s foremost and powerful anti-graft body is been ridiculed by accusations of selectivity. The media equally have not escaped some criticisms in all these issues; they are currently placed on a hot-seat to ensure that objective and unbiased reporting remains their watch-word has they carry out their constitutional responsibility of playing the watch-dog role."
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