WHAT WE NEED TO FIX!

From whatever angle one looks at the continent of Africa today, one sees nothing but problems.
These problems seem to be multiplying at an alarming rate. Of course, every continent has its own problems, some probably as serious as Africa's. Still there are critical differences. A few of Africa's problems and how to tackle them are examined in the following paragraphs.

There is no denying the fact that Africa has its own fair share of natural resources; such as arable land and mineral deposits. However one major factor has made it impossible for these resources to be of maximum benefit to Africans. This is the uneven distribution of both population and the resources themselves throughout the continent.
Where resources are available, the rapidly growing population places immense pressure on them; and where the population is sparse or average, there are hardly enough resources to sustain it.
The overall consequence is thus the impossibility of satisfying the basic human needs of Africans in either situation.

The first problem is compounded by the second, which is created by none other than Africans themselves. The common problems of hunger or malnutrition, poverty or want are not there only because there is insufficient food and natural resources in Africa. They are there also because of lack of political and patriotic will on the part of Africa's largely corrupt political and business leadership.

As if these problems are not enough, there is a third and no less serious one. In developed countries, ready and well-defined mechanisms are usually in place to contain existing or likely problems. In Africa, such mechanisms are either non-existent or, where they are available at all, are often hindered by political considerations, red tape and sheer mismanagement.
If permanent solutions are not found and implemented now, Africa's rapidly worsening situation may reach the point if no return. How can such a crisis be prevented?

First, the citizens must choose their own leaders through a free and fair ballot-election

in which candidates of more than one political party must participate. In other words, political power must and should rest with the citizens through democratic processes, and not with the rulers, the armed forces, the police and security services.

Again, the practice of African leaders and diplomats roving the world's capitals cap in hand begging for aid and loans should cease. Many Africans are now aware that the so-called foreign assistance actually worsen rather than lessen their problems. The conditions are usually too unfavourable to the economy of the borrowing nations, and sometimes the monies actually never leave the shores of the donor or lending nations. This is because the same sums of money find their way into some private bank accounts in foreign countries or are disburse on ornaments and luxury goods.

Finally, the causes of poverty, hunger, malnutrition and illiteracy are also causes of the social conflict such as tribalism, nepotism and corruption. It is important to eradicate these social conflicts along with the former problems for progress to be made. Africa's problems are indeed not insoluble. It takes only right political atmosphere and moral responsibility on the part of Africans to tackle them.

Proudly African

Unity is strength, United we stand, divided we fall, we need the support of one another to succeed.

Let's make Africa Great!