Problems Hindering Development in Africa after Independence

Problems Hindering Development in Africa after Independence

African continent has faced a number problem since independence that hindered development over the years. These are social, political and economic problems.

The Social, Political and Economic Problems Hindering Development in Africa after Independence

Analyse the social, political and economic problems hindering development in Africa after independence

Social problems

Illiteracy, Africans experiencing illiteracy since some people are unable to read or write, this is attributed by some of the cultural traditions of the people and sometimes failure of government to provide conducive environment for schooling. For example failure to provide enough educational facilities like school infrastructures for the communities has made it difficult for some children to access schooling.

Poor living conditions, most of the Africans are poor following this the parents are unable to provide uniforms and other school materials to facilitate the education of their children. Poverty also led some student to drop out from school in order to work and provide to their siblings and parents.

Diseases, African countries since independence have been experiencing diseases both cured and uncured resulted by environmental pollution, poor sanitation and poor hygiene, careless in eating habits, poverty and ignorance. Examples of the serious disease that affect African people include malaria, dysentery, HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis. Following this most people loose lives unnecessarily especially in the rural areas where health centers are few.

Religious differences some African country experienced serious religious differences that led to religious wars and country division. For example in Nigeria and Sudan some of the Islamic groups have advocated for the introduction of sharia or Islamic law in some parts of the country while Christian and African traditional religions therefore this intensified conflict in such countries.

Fear and insecurity, some African people are forced to flee from their homes and rendered refugees due to several factors including electoral disputes, land and water resources conflicts. Since these people flee from one African country to another within the continent this led to highest number of refugees in African continent than other continent, For example in eastern Africa there are millions of refugees from Burundi, DRC Congo, Sudan and Somalia, living in refugees camps in neighboring countries.

Political problems

Tribalism in Africa attributed by different factors some of them include language differences and colonial policy of divide and rule this contributed to political animosity and civil wars. For example in Nigeria, Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, Ivory Coast and Uganda there are serious political divisions, civil wars, displacement of people and death due to tribalism.

Regionalism in some African countries some parts of the regions have experienced faster development than other areas hence disunity. For example in Sudan some parts of southern experiences great poverty while northern parts is more developed, following this there has been a very serious civil war that was that was fought from the 1980s to 2011.

Single party system of ruling, most of African countries until 1990s were characterized with single party rule following this many there was problem of corruption, authoritarian and lack of democracy. However in 1990s many African countries such as Kenya, Zambia and Mali struggled for multiparty government.

Political instabilities caused by disputes over electoral outcomes, land resources and sharing of government positions. This has hampered political unity to many African countries and resulted to lack of economic progress, loss of life and properties and displacement of people.

Abortive coup attempt and overthrow of governments due to several challenges within the country including economy mismanagement, sectionalism, corruption, nepotism, violation of human rights and tribalism for example in Nigeria the coups against the prime minister Abubakar Tawafa Balewa while in Uganda Idd Amin overthrew the government of Militon Obote in 1971.

Neo-colonialism resulted to ideological differences among the political leaders and political disunity which hampered unity between African countries. For example in Democratic Republic of Congo, several political readers were unhappy because Patrice Lumumba the prime minister adopted socialism and in Kenya the president Jomo Kenyatta adopted capitalism while his vice president supported socialism.

Economic problems

Poverty is experienced in African countries due to the failure of governments to allocate resources equitably and to provide development infrastructures such as schools, roads, electricity as well as economic exploitation of certain regions of the country.

Mismanagement of public resources for one’s benefits or for the benefits of one’s friends or associates for personal gain or favors for example land have been grabbed by corrupt government officials and civil servants thus undermining the economy. This problem has been prevalent in Nigeria, Kenya and Burundi where a high level of corruption has been reported for many years.

The Steps Taken to Solve Problems Hindering Development in Africa after Independence

Examine critically the steps taken to solve problems hindering development in Africa after independence

Introduction of multiparty, most African countries decided to introduce more than one political party so as to provide an opportunity for citizens to compete in the political arena since this contribute in making the government more accountable as the oppositions operate as a watchdog.

Constitution revision most African countries have been revised their constitution to limit the term of the leaders to a maximum period usually two terms. Also political candidates are now required to show proof of a good educational background in order to eliminate possibility of having inept leaders.

Strengthening of democracy through African Union by allowing innervations in case of evidence of violence and abuse of human rights in member countries, this prevents political instabilities in countries and pre-empts refugee problems in the continents. Affirmative action has been accepted in order to uplift women I leadership. For example Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda have made great progress in this sphere.

Establishment of regional organizations contributing to the stability of African states by improving social and economic welfare of the citizens and expanding commerce, transport and communications infrastructures.

Introduction of modern information systems such as internet and cell phones helped in boosting economies of Africa by cutting down on unnecessary labour and by ensuring watertight security of money and goods in both government offices and private companies. Use of cell phones also facilitates quicker and more financial transactions.

Partnership with developed countries through privatization of public corporations for the aim of promoting development especially in productive areas such as minerals and oils prospecting

HIV/AIDS campaigns in order to inform citizens on ways of protecting themselves and on how to assist infected people

Establishment of social security fund aimed at protecting retirees and those retrenched from work due to ill health from experiencing serious financial problems.

Establishment of revenue collecting bodies like Tanzania Revenue Authority, Uganda Revenue Authority and Kenya Revenue Authority in order to strengthen economy and avoiding economic dependency on foreign countries

Success and Failures of the Steps Taken to Solve Problems Hindering Development in Africa

Analyse the successes and failures of the steps taken to solve problems hindering development in africa

Failure of the measures taken to resolve African political independence problems

The influence of external powers in African politics example in 2011 the USA and NATO powers attacked the forces of Muammar Gaddafi in spite of pressure from the African Union to allow more time for dialog among the rebels and government forces.

·         Corruption

·         Diseases

·         refugees

Successes of the measures taken to solve problems hindering development in Africa

Multi party system has promoted democracy and government accountabilities as well as helped to reduce abuse of powers and corruption among African political leaders within the continent.

Respect and adhering constitutional requirements especially in political issues like elections

Promotion of gender mainstreaming programs in order to allow women and girls to advance politically, economically and socially since now day women are no longer sidelined in political activities in Africa. For example Liberia is led by President Ellen Johnson-Sir leaf, a lady while Tanzania’s speaker of the parliament is also a woman honorable Anne Makinda.

Regional economic organizations contributing to political achievements in African countries through ECOWAS, SADC and EAC for example, African Union has played an important role in enhancing political stability by condemning electoral irregularities and condemning military takeovers in the continent as well as has participated in peace keeping operation in Darfur and Somalia since 2009.

Improvement of social arena through saving retirees and those retrenched from work due to ill health from experiencing serious financial problems. For example in Kenya the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) and the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) have both played a key role in uplifting the life the poorer members of the society. Similar program have also been instituted in Uganda and Tanzania.

Improvement of education system through adoption of different educational policy like Universal Primary Education (UPE), Education for All (EFA), Primary and Secondary development programs (SEDP & PEDP) all of these aim to fight illiteracy in the society.

Enhancement of economic stabilities and reducing dependency on foreign donor through establishment of revenue collection bodies; For example Tanzania Revenue Authority, Uganda Revenue Authority and Kenya Revenue Authority.

African states stability through setting up of regional organizations for example Uganda is the most important trading partner of Kenya.

Activity to do

1.     Explain five common political features of the post independent African countries.

2.     Give five reasons why African countries decided to adopt new economic strategies afterindependence.

3.     State the objectives of education in Africa after independence.

4.     What are the measures adopted to improve education sector by independent African countries

5.     Mention five challenges experienced by African government

6.     Why African government wanted to change the colonial system of education?

7.     What are the objectives of health sector in post independent African countries?

8.     Give three challenges experienced by the independent African countries in the provision ofhealth services.

9.     State three weaknesses and strengths of the health services in Africa after independence

10. Explain five improvements in water provision in Africa since independence

11. What are the measures adopted by African countries to improve the housing situation of theirpeople since independence?

12. State two objectives behind the establishment of the armed forces and police force afterindependence

13. Give four functions of the military and police force.