What The West Can Do...
Much has been said about the gains and pains of foreign aid given to African countries by 'supportive' Western economies. The easy money, the resulting structural problems. The exchanges between the even brought some razzmatazz to the AID vs Trade debate, reducing the plight of the Africans to mere platonism in blogs and mainstream media. What can the West do for Africa? Here is something for starters. Help Africans fight corruption.
Deterrence to thievery...
Take the case of the , where the Americans and the Germans involved in the deal are either on their way or already in the slammer. I find it encouraging that this countries will even come this far. This will also signal to the multi-nationals that the rule of law does not stop at the Murtala (correction by Chxta) Muhammed Airport. Whether this signals will be enough to make a dent in the resolve of determined expats who are ready to do business in Africa at all cost, still remains open for debate. After all there are at least two parties involved in bribery, it would not hurt to have a two pronged approach to fighting corruption in Africa. The West can help African countries by being open and refuse to provide shelters for its citizens who have done Africa wrong.
No Safe haven for Stolen Loot...
This part will send chills through the spine of every Swiss man. Foreign banks are meant to protect their clients, and there is no point in asking them not to. They would not stop the cover up, because this will inadvertently weaken their systems. However here is what they can do for us. If the West truly care about Africa, declare Africa an endangered species/zone for the next 20 years. So that the funds transferred by African governments and governments officials will be treated different from the whole. This will enable the bankers to keep their reputations as iron-clad, tight- fisted, sealed-lip, bottom-line-driven folks, and yet allow the flow of funds from Africa remain relatively transparent. Africa remains an outlier in the global economy, and I think we are now mature enough to accept it. Looting will become less lucrative if the odds of enjoying the money, is greatly reduced.
These will go a long way in fighting the anti-corruption war and more so, it will pave the way towards recovery since now we know, this war is not only about this corrupt Africans but also about some of us who continue to encourage them.
Do not forget Sunday is the World Anti-Corruption Day...
15Comment(s):
Africans be funny, now we are to blame for the corruption too. Pretty please.
I had no intentions of pointing fingers here. Apologies if you feel violated. The West claim to be willing to help Africa, but it appears they are only willing to help when their sacrifices are minimal or when they have self interest to protect.
I am sick and tired of African whining. You needed help we offered Aid. You claim to have seen some light and Aid is bad. Hindsight is 20-20. Has anybody considered the possibilities of no Aid at all. My parents are Africans by the way.
Your folks are African, so what are you? Eskimo.
You know that is a retarded remark. Because my parents are Africans do no mean I have anything to do with the continent. This is why some continents do not deserve technology. Now you have the internet you can sit over there in Africa and write lies. We gave you all, but still you could not pull through stop blaming the rest of the world for your mistakes.
I dare you to stop deleting my comments.
Going back to the topic Sir, what do you think the West can do for us Africans that have put 'themselves' in this situation. Do you think the West should do anything at all. You sound to me like someone that has more to offer than diatribe.
Those are some good idea! Perhaps some of those 'well meaning agencies' that all want to help the African continent can work on it if presented?
~~~~~~
This conversation kinda reminds me of the Passover meal. In the meal there are four children. Each representing: The wise (when he talks he says "we") the innocent (when he talks he says "what happened?") the mute (People just explain things to him) and the evil one (when he talks he says "You guys...!")
To the evil one, we are instructed to "blunt his mouth!" lol
lol @ the anonymous army that is encamped here. Took what I had to say off my mind. I'll come back if I remember...
@ Omodudu, it's Murtala, not Muritala.
Gee My bad Chxta..
sounds good to me. but it wont happen.
i mean, first of all, someone somewhere (China ? France ? EAU ?) will decide the access to market by its companies is more important than saving africans and second, money pillageing can be done in very indirect ways, you'd have to control EVERY transfert made out of africa and then control EVERY transfert made by a company that works in Africa (i mean we all have family and friends in europe who can get the bribe and send it back, right ?) and you'll only have a small chance of seeing some of the stolen loot.
but that would hurt the access to investment as any limit on funds repatriation did in the past.
and that is working with the assumption that everyone is Mobutu or Sani Abacha. Smarter looters just give themselves or allies or fronts generous contracts and avoid directly steaking.
@Random..I feel the effect of deterence will still go a long way to curb..the bribery.
has it before ?
I mean deterence would make it less profitable to bribe or be bribed but if bribing or being bribed is still rewarding enough it won't disappear.
Omodudu,
do u have any knowledge about investments in Naija (as in the best growing successful companies one can invest in, and share-holder and stock info for naija...etc)...
Pls if u do, can u email moi? (JennifererereAThotmail.com)
To your first point - Western nationals will likely face trial and punishment if there is concrete evidence of their corrupt practices abroad. It comes down to evidence.
On your second point - it would be nice if corrupt officials didn't have a place to hide their stolen loot. Proper bilateral agreements or a specific multinational treaty could address that issue.
Will it happen, though? Probably with the right pressure. After all, many never thought that Swiss banks would have to account for Jewish money that was stolen by nazis, right? Anything is possible.