Rijul Agarwal
Ms. Bennett
WLH Period 2
15 March 2016
An Independent Tomorrow
Bullies are everywhere. A typical bully, well known generally throughout the world, would be one to exert his or her strength and power to intimidate the weaker victim. The lesser known, yet more common bully is one that masterfully manipulates the victim into thinking that he or she is helping him or her out, while in actuality, it’s very much the contrary. The latter bully actually kicks the victim while it’s down as a part of another agenda that the bully had all along. Even lesser known than the aforementioned bully is the fact that the countries in today’s world form this very hierarchy. It’s safe to say that Africa hasn’t gone through the best of times in previous years, which is why various countries pitch in to help out their fallen comrade with the likes of donations. Africa received roughly 56 million net ODA (Official Development Assistance) in 2013, which led the world by a landslide (OECD). With the number of corrupt nations and people in existence, and with America being one of the primary suppliers to Africa (OECD); once a clear negative effect is shown, there’s a possibility that America could take action.
From 1960 to 1997, Africa has received more than 500 billion dollars just from western aid (Jallow). In addition, the World Bank sent over 20 billion dollars in 1991 to improve Africa’s structural programs to make government agencies and bureaucracies more transparent (Jallow). With these facts in mind, the thought of Africa still being in poverty today is simply absurd. However, when considering the fact that some countries that provide aid have different agendas, the prior thought becomes more clear. An example is shown with the all-too popular United States of America. According to Modern Ghana, the After World War II, US foreign aid was given provided that the humanitarian programs did not conflict with their long term strategic and diplomatic goals (Jallow). The same concept can be applied with Africa’s situation: most that provide aid do it for their self-interests, and will often want something in return. As foreign aid can’t be taken back, Africa has likely been forced to pay back the country that aided them in some form, in order to avoid any conflict or violence whatsoever. In addition, foreign aid’s influence comes into play, especially when considering the fact that studies show foreign aid helping under-write policies of the corrupt African bureaucracies (Moyo).
Overall, the continuous foreign aid that Africa has received throughout the years is simply damaging towards their general ethics and tolerance. The simple hand-outs of financial aid essentially encourages corruption and dependency. Instead of the focus lying upon the corrupt government that is misusing the money for the worse, financial aid is blindly thrown at Africa without the consideration of the consequences. In addition, foreign aid encourages plain laziness. Even without recent foreign aid, Africa has a bevy of natural resources as its disposal, and at the very least could trigger economic growth. Additional foreign aid prevents Africa from considering this option, and keeps them reliant upon foreign aid. In the words of Donald Kaberuka, the president of the African Development Bank, "I believe that it is time to shift the debate from the mechanics of aid delivery to the broader development challenges we will face in the coming years. Aid is only a means to an end. Indeed, if aid is truly effective, it will progressively put itself out of business. Effective aid should therefore be designed with this in mind - to strengthen, not displace, domestic energy and capacity; and to build up, not replace, alternative sources of development finance. This is a new way of thinking about development partnership," (NEPAD). Kaberuka is essentially saying that aid must be delivered with a purpose of eventually ceasing from existence, not continuously being there like it is currently.
For Africa to function as a financially stable country for years to come, various different countries and organizations are looking to see that happen. But some countries with other agendas, and others without present logic, make the very prospect of that happening in doubt. If Africa is steered towards an independent tomorrow, it will achieve what many have desired for their country: stability.
Works Cited
Calderisi, By Robert. CNN. Cable News Network, 18 Aug. 2010. Web. 07 Mar. 2016.
"Foreign Aid Hinders Development in Africa | The Chronicle." The Chronicle. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 Mar. 2016.
"Over-dependence on Foreign Aid Takes Toll on Rwanda's Economic Outlook - Ventures Africa." Ventures Africa. Abugah, Fumnanya., 04 May 2015. Web. 07 Mar. 2016. Source by Ventures, Africa.
Jallow, K, Matthew "Foreign Aid and Underdevelopment in Africa." Modern Ghana. Web. 07 Mar. 2016.
Curtain, Richard, The Independent. Independent Digital News and Media. Web. 09 Mar. 2016.
"The Effects of Aid Dependence and the Recommendations of the World Bank Draft Discussion Note 'Pacific Futures' - Devpolicy Blog from the Development Policy Centre." Devpolicy Blog from the Development Policy Centre. 10 May 2012. Web. 09 Mar. 2016.
