What Is The Answer To Africa's Various Problems?

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/comment/joseph-konys-child-army-and-the-ivory-trade-that-pays-its-bills-9047525.html

We constantly see on our TV screens multiple appeals on behalf of various charities all trying to address some of Africa's problems, is this also one more problem that desperately needs addressing?

And if so, surely just charity monies are not enough.

[Gromit]

South Africa is full of natural resources, Gold, Diamonds, Coal etc. It is quite a wealthy country. It has some problems, but doen't everywhere?

[Zeuhl]

It's a common mistake to reference Africa as though it is a homogenous entity.

The 'appeals' are often for the same countries year after year.

Very little is heard of the countries in Africa quietly getting on with developing their economies and social standards; Botswana, Ghana, Mali, Zambia, Uganda, Tanzania spring to mind.

And though Nigeria has issues largely due to its unwieldy disparity of ethnic groups, languages and religions, it is an economic powerhouse and part of the MINT wave of growing economies (Mexico, Indonesia, Nigeria, Turkey)

[Gromit]

Uganda, the country you may be wanting to talk about has its own problems.

It is a collection of different tribes and peoples who do not really like each other. The British kept order until 1962 when the country gained independence. Soon after the Government and the King about who ran the country and the monarchy was removed and the country became a Republic.

In 1971 Idi Amin came to power and removed the entrepenurial Indian immigrants. The economy collapsed (theres a lesson) as a result.

In the 1980s the President cancelled elections and proclaimed himself ruler for life, effectively ending any democracy. The place decended into civil war. Add into that mix a strange religious mix of native beliefs and christianity.

So today the country is racked by civil war, no economy, and religious bigotry. How to solve that is a big big question. I am sure the UK should not meddle there anymore though.

[Zeuhl]

/Compiled by the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, which was set up by a British Sudanese-born telecoms magnate turned philanthropist, the index gives a progress report on Africa's 53 countries. Mr Ibrahim made his name by championing democracy and good government on the continent, but his index includes economic indicators too. He lists four main criteria in measuring overall progress:

safety and the rule of law
participation and human rights
sustainable economic opportunity
human development

2013 IIAG

1 Mauritius
2 Botswana
3 Cape Verde
4 Seychelles
5 South Africa
6 Namibia
7 Ghana
8 Tunisia
9 Lesotho
10 Senegal
11 São Tomé & Príncipe
12 Zambia
13 Benin
14 Morocco
15 Rwanda
16 Malawi
17 Tanzania
18 Uganda
19 Egypt
20 Mozambique
21 Kenya
22 Gambia

[anotheoldgit]

Gromit

The British did do some good in their Empire then?

For some strange reason I feel some feed back on this statement of mine even as I type.

[emmie]

South Africa doesn't have some problems, it has lots of problems, not least the current incumbent.

[Zeuhl]

Indeed emmie

there are lots of problems in all those countries - but they are not in line with the stereotype of charity appeals needing to feed starving people

[emmie]

i am sure that many countries in Africa are stereotyped, but SA does have natural resources, it just also happens to have a corrupt leader...

[Zeuhl]

/The British did do some good in their Empire then?/

an overriding imperial regime will suppress and over ride local differences

I remember the Nigerian National Sales Director for a multinational i used to work for, telling me that nearly all his business was done in English because Nigeria has dozens of distinct languages (not dialects - languages) so it was easier.

Not sure that is a good reason to lump disparate people together, draw a border around them on a map then leave.

[Gromit]

South Africa has a corrupt leader, but now also has a democracy and a British style judicial system. The problem is, Zuma is a teflon President, no charges ever stick. If they can actually charge him then convict him of something, he can be removed. Then, the ANC might find him a liability and replace him.

[emmie]

amazed he is still there, then again they seem to hold on to their most corrupt politicians, and get rid of those who do some actual good.

[Gromit]

// and get rid of those who do some actual good. //

Out of interest emmie, who are you referring to there? Names.

[browntrout]

wouldn't it save time to simply open a no limit credit account at harrods for the use of el president and his immediate family for their exclusive use during their sojourns at their Kensington mansions.