Page 91 - Msingi Afrika Magazine Issue 14

Leadership

government outsources its respon- source by seeking funding from
sibilities. private organisations and high net
worth philanthropists who are pas-
Foreign aid in itself is not a source sionate and committed to achieving
of economic growth. There is an the UN’s SDGs.
opportunity for policy makers in the
continent to renegotiate their rela- Redefining the continent’s
tionships with western countries. relationship with the rest of the
world
Trade is one area that remains an
uneven playing field in the conti- The reduction in foreign aid is indic-
Natasha Fuyane is a writer nent. More equitable trade deals ative of a shift by western countries
and podcaster. Natasha pro- would not only offset any effects of to pivoting to focusing on domestic
vides social & political com- reduced foreign aid, but would es- issues. This shift to a more national-
tablish lines for sustainable econom-
istic, domestic focus for most coun-
mentary on African issues. ic contributions to the country. tries cuts across a number of areas
Natasha is on twitter and means that there’s an opportu-
@malaikadiva Foreign aid or equitable nity for the continent to reevaluate
reparations? and redefine its relationship with the
at 0.53% of its national income. Is this really aid? There is an oppor- rest of the world.
tunity to reevaluate and redefine this
So, what will be the real impact of transfer of resources from western Editor’s Note:
the reduction in foreign aid transfers countries to the continent. The his- I see opportunity in foreign aid re-
by some countries? It is a complex tory of colonialism has meant that duction for Afrika. Not opportunity
picture and the real impacts of this resources and assets were pillaged to go and negotiate more favorable
will be realized over a few years from the continent to the benefit of terms for your country - as though
– this poses more questions than western countries. The pillaging did living on handouts is a favorable or
answers. Although the picture is a not end when countries got their dignified way to go. No.
rapidly evolving one, it is helpful to independence, in some instances it I see opportunity for escape. Not by
explore some of these questions. was systemic and it remains till this overtaxing Afrika’s population into
The below may be a helpful guide day. poverty. No.
for policy makers in the continent, Opportunity for escape from a
civil society organizations and social Positioning this as aid instead of culture that has bedeviled the conti-
change movers. reparations (or similar) allows for nent since independence, relegating
western countries to opt out as and her leaders to the role of beggars
Robust, competent governance when. and her citizens to whatever label
It goes without saying that for many is placed on them by the so-called
nations across the continent, there is Sustainable Development Goals ‘benefactors’.
a gap in robust, competent lead- The reduction of aid funding Opportunity for re-definition for
ership and governance structures. may have a great impact on the Afrika by a whole new standard, at a
Robust, competent governance will achievement of the United Nations’ whole new level and in a whole new
impact the efficient allocation of Sustainable Development Goals dimension - as the continent that
resources. Elected governments (SDGs). The SDGs are a set of life sees itself as worthy and capable of
have the mandate to ensure that changing commitments which are living life in a way that his honorable
public goods are delivered efficiently meant to be achieved by 2030. One to God, and treats its people with
and equitably to their citizens. Public of the key SDGs is poverty reduc- dignity. Demonstrating belief in its
goods such as health and infrastruc- tion by 2030. people to be able to rise up above
ture, in an ideal environment, should age-old stereotypes and to create the
be the sole responsibility of gov- Although aid reduction from gov- kind of reality that this continent
ernments. Foreign aid means that ernments will impact the achieve- needs more than ever. Of freedom!
public goods are in some instances ment of this, there is an opportunity
managed through non-governmental for civil society organisations to
organizations, which means that the continue broadening their revenue

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