WHAT IS MEANT BY SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND WHETHER DEVELOPMENT IN AFRICA, WITH

THE ASSISTANCE OF INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY, IS SUSTAINABLE?

BOATENG ANTHONY
26th MARCH 2010.

The Brundtland Commission defined sustainable development as “meeting the needs

of the present generation without compromising the needs of the future generatio
ns” (Jhingan, 1997, 22iie). For a country to be sustainable, there should be a c
ontinous growth in every sector of the economy, that is economic, social, polit
ical and holistic. It focuses on the well-being and improves the living standard
s of the people such as healthcare, education, providing social amenities (schoo
ls, good drinking water and others), agriculture and many more; creating employm
ent for the youth and the poor so as to eleviate poverty in our societies and al
so been able to preserve the natural resources available for the next generation
yet to come. In other to be sustainable there must be a goal, vision by the lea
ders as to where and how the attainment of sustainability will be achieved eithe
r in the short term, medium term or in the long term.
Development in Africa is sustainable with or without the help of the internation
al communities through economic, political and social. Before Africa can be sust
ainable, the economic aspects of member countries should be considered. The prom
otion of inter-regional trade among member countries to promote growth and stabi
lity should be strengthened to provide employment for the youth and the poor in
country; with the implementation of free-trade policies and exemption of taxes b
een placed on goods traded in member countries. This creates new markets for pro
duction to increase likewise profit and employment been generated. Africa is bl
essed with so many natural resources that can be traded with other countries her
e in Africa and the rest sent to foreign countries to earn foreign exchange. Man
y African countries can finds it difficult to meet their budget requirements and
rather depend on aid from the international community’s. Some of these aids rec
eived are allocated to both private and public companies, institutions, departme
nts and the rest to promote growth and also increase their production. Some of f
unds are also allocated to farmers since majority of the people are farmers and
the upgrading of agriculture from the traditional way of farming (using hoes, cu
tlass and other tools) to modern system of farming (tractors, harvesters and oth
ers) will increase yield to commercial quantities to feed the people, industries
, and the surplus exported to earn foreign exchange.
Again, it will work perfectly when there is equal justice for everyone and every
body is given the opportunity to bring on board the knowledge, talents, skills h
e or she have. Normally, the rights of women are taken for granted and are to dr
awn to all kinds of treatments mostly in Africa. Women in Africa are generally r
eferred as inferior to the societies in which they find themselves. When these w
rong perceptions are taken out, women will able to fight against corruption and
also promote the rule of law and good governance in all sectors they may find th
emselves. Before every individual can contribute his or her quota to attain sust
ainability, the health of the people should be considered, their education, road
s, sanitation and so many others. Even though some of these things are met but n
ot to the standard expected. Through these the international communities are bee
n called upon to assist in providing better health care, education, family plan
ning, construction and the rest for the people.
Aid been given to assist in the development of the lives of the local people is
in the right direction but latter turns to be a bad one. According to Ayittey,
“Foreign aid has done more harm to Africa than we care to admit. It has led to a
situation where Africa failed to set its own pace and direction of development
free of external interference. Today, Africa’s development plans are drawn thous
ands of miles away in the corridors of the IMF and World Bank. What is sad is th
at the IMF and World Bank “experts” who draw these development plans are people
completely out of touch with the local people”, (1999, 275). In terms of politi
cal realm, government officials misuse the monies been given to them to but luxu
rious cars, build mansions and others. Loss of confidence of the recipient count
ries by the donors, all because of corruption, mismanagement compel them to moni
tor how the aid is been used by themselves. Some of these aid are been used by l
eaders in power to fight against those who are in opposition. Aid been given by
the international community’s sometimes come with terms and conditions. Most Af
rican leaders are compelled to sell or give some percentage of the shares of the
most revenue generated companies to foreign countries in the overseas and even
goes on ushering them to purchase goods from the respective countries. Foreign a
id becomes a disease which causes blindness in the lives of many individuals. Th
ey failed to invest in the little capital they have or showcase their inherent p
otentials all because of their reliance on foreign aid. The industrialized count
ries ultimate aim are to gain profit, raw materials, commodities, minerals and o
thers from the monies been given to the developing countries. They do not mostl
y think of developmental aspect of the local people.
Finally, sustainable development can be achieved when leaders of various African
countries eschew corruption, greed and are to ready to sacrifice for the growth
of their nations and citizens and not think of their big bellies which will nev
er get full. Good policies should be drawn as to when to go in for foreign aid;
how to utilise the resources available and governments thereafter should be able
to implement the policies drawn. According to Lamb (1983, 20), Africa is blesse
d with “40 percent of the world’s potential hydroelectric power supply; the bulk
of the world’s diamonds and chromium; 30 percent of the uranium in the non-comm
unist world; 50 percent of the world’s gold; 90 percent of its cobalt; 50 percen
t of its phosphate, 40 percent of its platinum; 7.5 percent of its coal; 8 perce
nt of its petroleum reserves; 12 percent of its natural gas; 5 percent of its ir
on ore; and millions upon millions of acres of untilled farmland. There is not a
nother continent blessed with such abundance and diversity” (Ayittey, 1999, 6-7)
. All these could be put into good use when there is good governance, equity in
the rule of law, gender equality where womwen are also given the opportunity to
higher positions; reduction in corruption and greediness of politicians is curbe
d. New technologies should be used to accelerate growth in the economy; conditio
ns surrounding foreign aid should be analyse to see it suit the demands of the p
eople or the countries requirements, aid will be utlilised well. Maintaining the
se natural resources will generate income when they are put into good use and ke
pt for the generation to come.
References
Ayittey, G. B. (1999). Africa in chaos. New York, United States of America: St.
Martin s Griffin.
Jhingan, M. (1997). The Economics of Development and Planning. In M. Jhingan, Th
e Economics of Development and Planning (Vol. 38, p. 22iie). Delhi, India: Vrind
a Publications (P) Limited.
Kevane, M. (2004). Women and development in Africa: how gender works. Boulder, U
nited States of America: Lynne Rienner Publishing, Inc.
Lennart Wohlgemuth, J. C. (Ed.). (1998). Institution building and leadership in
Africa. Stockholm, Sweden: Nordisska Afrikainstitutet.
Moss, T. J. (2007). African development: making sense of the issues and actors.
Boulder, United States America: Lynne Rienner Publishing, Inc.
Robert W. Kates, Thomas M. Parris, and Anthony A. Leiserowitz. (2005, April). En
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