An Appraisal of Key Views in Regards to Underdevelopment in Africa

Abstract

This world was not created piecemeal; Africa was born no later and no earlier than any other geographical area on this globe. In general, Africa conforms to the general world-wide pattern of development struggle, but the continent so far has performed unevenly and is not yet up to the mark. The Continent is ravaged by high levels of unemployment and acute poverty-owing, among other things, to external shocks, macroeconomic and structural policy slippages, poor governance, weak institutions and rapid population growth. Executives from rich countries who interact with their counterparts from African countries show no significant intellectual differences. The racial or colour factors also do not evince (show) importance: migrants heavy in laziness in their country of origin in Africa are forcefully productive in rich European countries. Some (including myself) believe that the continent Africa is becoming depository for the ills of humanity. The research question is, with mixed blessings across the globe; does Africa differ from the rest of the World? The answer is no. This article has attempted to put a finger on what's wrong in Africa. It reflects upon appraising descriptively three statements in regard to underdevelopment in most African countries. That, institutional, economic and political rigidities coupled with DEPENDENCE and DOMINANCE relationship with rich nations is a reason for Africa’ woes. That, LDCs including Africa are beset by faulty and inappropriate or MISLEADING models of development as offered and supported by international experts and multinational organizations such as IMF and World Bank. That, LDCs’s backwardness is ‘God-cursed’. We are created to permanently suffer and get impoverished despite all the good resources God had gifted us. The article strongly underscores that; “Underdevelopment is not an original state of Africa, rather it’s a result of economic capture and control of backward regions by advanced metropolitan capitalism”. Serious policy reforms including the attitude of the people, molded for many years by western education and culture are required to turn generous Africans potentials into sources of growth for Africa! As this is not a sufficient condition for economic success of the continent, the leadership's unity and legitimacy are more crucial for placing countries of the continent on the right development path. Promise of LEADERSHIP that thinks more of SERVICE than being SERVED is what actually Africa is lacking.