DEVELOPMENT IN AFRICA

Development in Africa has always been a hot topic. But when we talk of development in Africa, all the planning is happening from top - down.

Approximately 80% of developing countries depend on agriculture as the backbone of their economy. Families depend on agriculture as a means to support their basic needs. Many think beyond the basic needs because of a number of reasons.
It could be that they don’t have access to information about what is going on outside their village.
It could be that they don’t think what is happening in the next country or as far as EU is any of their business.
It could be that they work hard to preserve their cultures and keep foreign influences of foreign concepts such as child rights, anti female genital mutilation campaigners out.
It could also be just ignorance or lack of time to invest in new knowledge.
It could be that there is no cooperation or trust between the ruling government institutions and the rural areas.
Which brings me to my point. I honestly believe, without more active involvement of all local people, as donors, governments or NGO’s we are simply pouring water in a basket.

By active involvement, I don't mean ''doing what they are supposed to do'' to reach a goal that is set by their government or external donors. Active involvement starts by communicating as equals, exchanging ideas, discussing fair ways of cooperation, reaching honourable agreements.

It is very interesting talking with the elders of villages, they will tell you how good life used to be 40 -50 years ago. Doesn't it make you wonder how that fits with our definition of development?

Generally people will be satisfied with basic needs ; food, water, clothes, shelter, affordable health care, education, information.
Therefore, development in Africa has first got to address these basic needs and reach a sustainable solution.
Sustainability of basic needs includes empowering the local people to get the best from their surrounding environment . Depending on location and availability of resources, the people can be empowered to produce various primary and secondary products for consumption and for commerce.

Sustainability also requires an established transportation system for commercial products from one region to the next. After sustainability of basic needs, it is easier to move to the next step.

Currently most African countries are suffering from effects of poverty, one of them being corruption.

I think it is really great that we are trying our best to fight corruption from top-down, but as long as we have a high population of hungry people corruption will always have room to thrive.

Therefore, sustainability of basic needs, has to be a number one priority.
When considering development of rural areas in Africa. These are questions we should ask ourselves:
Food: Is there enough supply of food for every individual within the local area? If a certain type of food is lacking, is there a way to get that from the next village and NOT Europe or Asia?
Water: Is there a good management system of water? Do the people have easy access to clean water for domestic use such as drinking, washing and for their animals? do they have access to water for irrigation of their crops?
Clothes: Can the people afford clothes to wear and maintain their dignity as well as protect themselves from the weather effects?
Shelter: Does everyone have a roof over their head? Under this roof, is it safe for all family members? Do they have enough room to maintain a certain level of privacy? Is there a good sanitation system within or attached to the shelter?
Affordable health care: Example, considering that within warm tropical climate with breeding areas for the Anopheles mosquitoes, Malaria is a number one enemy that can be prevented but can’t be avoided eternally. Also, it is extremely important to have health facilities such as clinics for child birthing and care for mothers. Is there affordable health care within at least an hour walking distance?
Education/information: Considering the importance of education and information. Are there schools available for young people as well as adult education? Because Adult education is important as a foundation of children education.
Access to information is important as well. While these are things we take for granted, in most rural areas there is no electricity therefore no internet or TV and rarely any newspapers reach these areas. Nevertheless, there has to be ways for people to get useful information that will guide them and help them integrate with the ‘’outside’’ world.

The only point I’m trying to make is that rural African communities have to be empowered to be able to utilise existing local resources to the fullest. People who are now viewed as victims or marginalised for one reason or another, have to be ‘enabled’ to take the reins of their destiny.
In this case, capacity building projects that target the literal or practical needs of the people are important.