Abstract
Poverty levels in the developing world, especially Sub-Saharan Africa still pose major challenges to overall development in the continent and globally, against the backdrop of the millennium development goals. A critical appraisal of poverty and development theories suggests that as long as individuals and communities are caught in poverty traps (in the form of low resources, low physical and human capital), exclusions from global markets and government and market failures they cannot enjoy the economic development experienced in high income, developed countries. The MDGs were developed in good faith to assist in reducing global economic development disparities; however, an assessment of the current status of African countries reveals a trend whereby it is highly unlikely that any of the targets set by the goals will be met by 2015. Goal 4 - the reduction of infant mortality rates - which would have been met, has been threatened by civil disturbances and increasing incidence of HIV/AIDS. Within Nigeria, where 50% live below the poverty line, the poverty situation is exacerbated by inequality in incomes, in assets (education and health status), in control over public resources and in access to essential services, coupled with high levels of insecurity. Growth strategies for reducing poverty levels in Sub-Saharan countries, and Nigeria in particular, must be pro-poor. Such strategies must eliminate discrimination against rural and agricultural development; invest in human capital (education and health); improve household consumption levels to reduce deprivation of basic needs by vulnerable members, particularly children, the widowed and the aged; provide access to markets and public infrastructure and facilitate the creation of new jobs. Ongoing economic and structural reforms in the country must be maintained on a sustained level that will permit poverty reduction and better quality of life. Keywords: Poverty, Development, Millennium Development Goals, Pro-poor growth African Journal of Infectious Diseases Vol. 1 (1) 2007: pp. 3-17
Highlights
Reducing poverty levels in the third world is still the most difficult development issue facing the international community
How far have these goals been met in Sub-Saharan Africa, especially in Nigeria? What is the role of poverty in development? What are the poverty inducing factors in Nigeria, and what are the constraints to development? This paper reviews the poverty situation in Sub-Saharan Africa and Nigeria against the background of poverty and development theories, with the aim of highlighting the obstacles to progress in the areas where the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) were most likely to have been met
The decline in Human Development Index (HDI) of Sub-Saharan African countries is no doubt linked to low economic growth and the inability of countries to increase spending on health and education
Summary
Reducing poverty levels in the third world is still the most difficult development issue facing the international community. In spite of poverty-reduction strategies embarked upon by the global community to meet the Millennium Development Goals only China and India have made considerable progress, and succeeded in ensuring that the goal of halving poverty by the year 2015 in the world is met In these two countries, the proportion of people living on less than $1 a day by 2015 is projected to decrease to just over 12 percent from more than 28 percent, bringing half of a billion people out of poverty (World Bank, 2004). Goal 8: Develop a global partnership for development – Wealthy countries should work with developing countries to create an environment for rapid, sustainable, and broad-based development How far have these goals been met in Sub-Saharan Africa, especially in Nigeria? How far have these goals been met in Sub-Saharan Africa, especially in Nigeria? What is the role of poverty in development? What are the poverty inducing factors in Nigeria, and what are the constraints to development? This paper reviews the poverty situation in Sub-Saharan Africa and Nigeria against the background of poverty and development theories, with the aim of highlighting the obstacles to progress in the areas where the MDGs were most likely to have been met
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