Traditional Institutions and the State of Accountability in Africa

Abstract

Mythology about Africa still persists. It served colonial interests to portray African natives as "savages"; with no history and their indigenous institutions as "backward" and "primitive." Therefore, colonialism was 'good' for them as it 'civilized' them and freed them from their 'terrible and despotic' traditional rulers. Of course, much of this mythology has been tossed into the trash bin. African natives not only had history but also viable traditional institutions which enabled them to survive through the centuries. Ghana, Mali, Songhai and Great Zimbabwe were empires they built that lasted for centuries. Nor were their rulers terrible and despotic. Chiefs and kings were held accountable at all times and removed from office for dereliction of duty - - not after every four or so years. However, mythology about Africa still persists - - this time among Africa's own post colonial leaders! Believing that African natives had no history, no viable institutions, and no knowledge of such concepts as "democracy," "accountability," and "rule of law," the postcolonial leadership imposed on their people alien systems and ideologies that have led to the ruination of Africa. The continent is littered with the putrid carcasses of these imported systems. Sankofa ("go back and get it") is the only route to take for Africa's salvation. The solutions needed to extricate Africa from its current economic malaise and political miasma are already embedded in its own traditional institutions and heritage. And the leadership should just "go back and get them."