ARE POOR DEALS CRIPPLING YOUR COUNTRY?
The user participation section of the , Have Your Say, asked for the public opinion on the impact of poor deals with the private sector and foreign firms on the economy of African countries. I found the 156comments left by readers, quite interesting. Before now, this phenomenon was not viewed as a major problem, since 'help' was basically handed down to African countries. However as African economies have opened up and privatization and take overs have become more prevalent. Who gets what, and how they get what they get has become a major source concern. Many of the comments on the to the usual suspect, corruption. Below I have pasted clips of the that caught my attention.
Kootee:Let me propose a solution to these poor deals including all other issues
affecting mother Africa today. The solution to all of Africa's burning issues is
Good Governance. African including their leaders should decided to be honest.
Muta:Quite simple. All deals done should be open to the publics scrutiny, meaning
that contracts signed should be easily available and not the governments secret.
JohnMary even thinks it is illiteracy;The African public can not be relied upon to make informed decisions on matters
of such magnitude, given the illiteracy levels and the hugely pseudo education
that has been received over decades.
Efuk traces it to God;Oh our brothers in Africa all the time carry their accusation on the west for NOTHING. It is the weakness of African leaders, others are too egocentric, selfcentered that is why every time these foreign companies leave our continent with lumsome of money. What about the Arab world ? Today Salva Kiir is in Egypt to discuss such deals.I am not supprised, it seems God has punished Africa as indicated in some champters of the bible !
Briggs opines that all deals should be funneled through the Mo Ibrahim Foundation;How about getting the Mo Ibrahim Foundation to scan all deals that are offered
.
in Africa, and get the Foundation to scan the governments regarding deals as
they already do with regard to transparancy
Tunde believes it is because people do not feel like owners;Thanks, in this part of Nigeria that i am leaving, people are really killing
Farkas thinks deals aren't the problem but leaders;
this country cos they believe that everything belong to govt.Good deals" have been cut in Africa for decades! The late Mobutu of Zaire
apparently cut some excellent deals, because he was reputed to have over 70
billion dollars personally stashed, as part of his cut on the mineral extraction
going on in his country. It is good leadership, not deals that are in short
supply.
Gbatu blames the foreign companies, since the playing field isn't level;
What happen is these foreign firms that sign contracts with African governments
come to the negotiating table with dossiers on those they will be dealing with,
So when they offer incentives to these "poor, penniless African ministers and
honorables" it becomes hard to be rejected; BOOM there goes the signatures!
There are many interesting responses on the BBC page. I believe transparency in the short term and good governance as a long term objective which can only be achieved through proper engagement of the populace will put a dent in the shroud of secrecy that surround this deals.
6Comment(s):
come on, brother
"Before now, this phenomenon was not viewed as a major problem, since 'help' was basically handed down to African countries."
Do you really think so ? Do you really think it's a new phenomenon ? That government haven't fallen over similar issues ? That bad deals weren't part of the list of justifications broadcasted during coups ? Or that somehow citizens weren't aware of shady deals (proven or not) ?
I mean, in the past, many governments have been able to maneuvre their way out of being held accountable (by putting the blame on some lower guy usually) or have suppressed the discontent but it's a stretch to say that it wasn't viewed as a major problem.
As far as solutions and stuff, people calling for "good governance" or "good leaders" are making a circular point and avoiding the real debate which "how do you prevent it". Now transparency would help but it won't be enough. There has to be some sort of clarity in the way things are handled. Well-designed general rules that would reduce the risk of corruption just by setting steps. That may include outlawing "no-bid contracts" or getting those deals out of the hands of the executive or stop differentiating mineral companies from the others.
you fascinate me...you wrote this post based on commenters...i love it!!!...
...some of these comments are quite annoying...as for the solution...as you stated, or rather alluded, it won't be one thing that will correct it...it will take setting some short term and long term goals/solutions, including ones suggested by random african...
...great post!...
I Couldn't give an honest answer, probably because I'm not on the ground per se, but some interesting read here, though.
@Akin, it was fun to read as well. There is a feel good factor about Africans speaking about their problems. I particularly enjoyed reading from those that linked the problems to one religious book or the other.
@Random, I was writing under a rather slack blogging environment. I need to clarify that statement. Thanks for bringing it to my attention. I meant it has becom dire these days. The consequence are certainly larger.
@Guerreria I see you are taking the average road, you can never go wrong that way...lol.
Thanks guys for coming.
'average road' meaning?...clarify that statement please: 'I see you are taking the average road, you can never go wrong that way'...should i be offended?...in fact, i think i am...
Naaah no offence there at all. Averages are better than extremes. I was just pointing out one of those phenoms in my disciplines that we like to throw around quite often. one apple and one orange is better than two apples or two oranges. I meant you were taking the optimum path.
Thanks for coming by. That is one of my weaknesses, I am too much in a hurry. LOL