Africa's Biggest Problem...
This is a reaction to an email I just received in my mail box. The email opened by stating that, "Africa's greatest problem..." My opinion is that Africa does not have a biggest problem, but Africans are faced with a slew of challenges. Inasmuch as this may seem like mere semantics, since both statements appear to be similar at first take. However from a policy perspective the idea of a biggest problem, which needs to be addressed, is at best sub-optimal.
We are bombarded by social, political and economic problems which will all have to be addressed in tandem. This challenges can not be easily decoupled. Comprehensive policies which do not assume the level of development in Western economies will have to be implemented before any result can be noticeable. I am with Sach's on this one, the policies that will work in Africa will require many arms. If the solution is then going to be multi-faceted, there is a need for agencies to learn to work with each other and feed off of one another.
These is a case for strong inter-agency collaboration. Can the civil service in Africa provide the type of environment required for this to happen. A productive environment, with minimal energy spent on summits and conferences. An environment where the focus is on implementation and monitoring. That brings me to the last point. What role does our custom and traditions play in African Governments and institution. Do the dynamics of our interactions (seniority, title chasing) encourage or deter workplace collaborations. The landscape of the work is changing briskly in other parts of the world, will tradition business process work as well as the new age wiki-style interdependent work environments. Can we compete with the systems we presently have in place or is there a need to overhaul our institutions. Even more interesting to me is whether the new age business processes can deliver the silver bullet to put an end to corruption in African institutions? Inspired by Chapter One of Wikinomics. Stay tuned for the next episode.
6Comment(s):
Here you go again, this man. How body.
Is that the biggest problem right now. The EFCC should first round up anybody that has stolen money. then we can talk about business process.
Cool my gee.
@KM hmmm I have been think about that EFCC sef.
@km- when they do that, our country will then be presented to the world are unstable, yes we have greedy ppl in leadership and due process should be applied...but we should do things slowing I believe...OBJ may not have done alot in some ppl eyes,but what he did that I appreciate was creat an atmosphere of stablity and for business growth/development, where business from the west/east could come or at least think about doing business with us...let us think globally pls...American politics is just as corrupt...
Refinedone, so are you saying you care more about what the world thinks than people stealing your money? Please let me know. There is not justice in Nigeria and it is only in Nigeria that you negotiated your purnishment after stealing other peoples money. There is corruption in America, so let us stay corrupt right. That is not very smart.
@km- No! I do care about getting justice from those stealing our money, my reaction is to your statement of rounding up anybody that has stolen money...My bro/sis that would be most if not all of goverment, now you think how the country now would look to investors? That's all am saying
...lets apply wisdom for the good of the rest.lets not sacrifice the the young Nigerians/ young busness market that is still grow to catch ppl that have all sort of offshore accounts and money locked away for there rainny day. Na small,small i beg...