NEPAD And Growth In Africa

The incidence of development arising from globalisation and democratisation has made European states to grow beyond expectation.

Africa, it is commonly said is the second largest continent in the world after Asia and besides is the cradle of civilisation.

This is coupled with its vast natural endowmel and land mass good for all kinds of agricult production.

In fact, the rate of oil exploration in Africa al exportation to European markets has facilitat the developmental process of European natioru

This is fuelled by the fact that a greater numli of the oil exploration firms in Africa are owned  the European countries.

From the early days of colonialisation to the of independence, the right kind of development expected in Africa has been far from sight.

This, in fact, results from incongruous policies that characterise African leadership and governments.

Armchair leadership among African states  does not only affect the development of human persons and structures but also undermine formidable institutions put in place to chart the course of development in Africa.

While European states celebrate economic and political stability, African states are always engrossed in crisis.

Where it is not corruption, it is tenure elongation among African states and governments.

Today, as it is, civil disturbances is said to have pinned its root in Darfur, Rwanda, Somali,  Democratic Republic of Congo and Liberia among others.

The crises had no doubt resulted in the disruption of policies and programmes intended to move African states forward.

It has also resulted in the destruction oflives and properties, thus creating an environment of bloodbath.

While this malfeasance takes the toll, African states and governments are busy celebrating flag independence even when it is glaringly difficult to provide the required environment for economic and political development.

Abuse of human rights and freedom and unemployment seem to be the order ofthe day in the African continent.

These unhealthy situations, no doubt, have remained the lifestyle among African states and governments.

The ugly situation created by poor economic and political development among African states, in fact, led to the inauguration ofthe New Partnership for African’s Development (NEPAD).

In 2001, for instance, New Partnership for African’s Development with is secretariat   in Pretoria, South Africa was formally put in place as a pledge by African leaders with common vision to eradicate poverty and to place their countries, both individually and collectively on the path of sustainable growth and development so as to meet the challenges posed by the world economy.

As a programme of action, it intends to ehance sustainable development in the 21 st century and also ensure peace, security, true democracy and Political governance.

It is expected that NEPAD should be enhanced  orporate governance in both sub-regional and  sub-regional approaches to development.

In fact, years after the establishment of NEPAD to Abuja by the committee of Africa Heads of States chaired by the Former President Olusegun basanjo, the objectives ofthe initiative are yet I be achieved.

Sectoral priorities such as infrastructural and Human resources development, agriculture, Environment, culture, science and technology nong African-srat s is yet to be given desired  tention.

This apart, capital flow and industrial evelopment of African states is on the low rungs of the economic and political ladder.

Africa, no doubt, has come of age and the need arises for NEPAD to put A frica on the right tract of development basically to save it from its present  Political and economic woes.

Africa, as a continent needs to be at par with  European states arising from the abundance of  Economic and human resources available to it.

The gross under-development of Africa should our the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) to the challenges by insuring that African states swim in the same  direction with European countries.

Omah is of the Radio Rivers, Port Harcourt

Obed Omah