Reuters freelance journalist Simon Akam argues that people are too willing to blame colonialism for the problems experienced by countries, like Sierra Leone, at the expense of countries shouldering responsibility.
HT Geoffrey York
At the same time, aspects of Sierra Leone are improving. Economic growth is high, and the infrastructure is strengthening. Electrical power is more plentiful than it was. The daily struggles of living there can blind you to this progress.
But it would be a lie to say that those struggles, over a period of two years, did not have an effect on me. Many Westerners I met in West Africa took it as an article of faith that all of the region’s woes were the result of outside malfeasance—someone else’s fault, going back to colonialism and the slave trade. After two years in Freetown I not only cannot agree, but I think such views—promulgating as they do an abdication of responsibility—are bad for Africa. The Western world undoubtedly committed atrocities to the continent. But today it is up to Africans to carve out a brighter future for themselves.Akam's full reflection is worth reading. He discusses the challenges to reporting from Sierra Leone for the past two years in an article for the Columbia Journalism Review.
HT Geoffrey York
3 comments:
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Cindy
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I believe it is important that aid agencies diversify their aid programs
and funding. Start up companies and venture capital firms would be able to
capitalize more effectively on aid funding than any government in office.
It is evident from economic theory that the life expectancy of a corporation is
far longer than that of any government. Hence it make economic sense if one
want to achieve long term economic development to seek to support private
enterprises operating in developing countries instead of these countries
different government departments. It is arguably the best option for job creation
and sustainable development to establish what I would call aid-partnerships and
joint ventures with corporations rather than government departments.
I think constitutional monarchies, with African monarchs, would benefit the development of many countries in Africa.
They way I see it there is a need for a non party political international representation of many African countries. A Constitutional monarchy (or limited monarchy) is a form of government in which a monarch acts as head of state within the guidelines of a constitution.
This form of government differs from absolute monarchy in which an absolute monarch serves as the source of power in the state and is not legally bound by any constitution and has the powers to regulate his or her respective government. Most constitutional monarchies employ a parliamentary system in which the monarch may have strictly ceremonial duties or may have reserve powers, depending on the constitution. For development It is important with a sense of continuity, independent of what political party is elected. A constitutional monarch could serve that purposes of continuity, and also be able to act as an international non political ambassador for the country.
I believe this would benefit trade, commerce and investment for many African countries. Also the monarch in his ceremonial duties would be able to create a sense of national belonging for the people, and act as a unifying symbol above party politics.
HSH Prince Leopold Donchield Zu Leone II, Sierra Leone
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