Aid is Humiliating for Greece but not for Africa?
European countries have been struggling these past few weeks with the issue of financially aiding Greece out of its deepening economic crisis. Surprisingly, the same countries that always readily recommend and prescribe IMF “assistance” for African countries have found themselves wrestling with accepting this route for Greece because it is supposedly “humiliating” and “embarrassing.”
So it’s humiliating for a European country but not for the African continent? How come the doctor can’t take his own medicine easily?
Both the Greek government and their European neighbours say they prefer to get the money from markets instead of getting it from aid. They don’t want to wear the embarrassing label of “beggar.”
African leaders should watch this episode carefully so that they know exactly what their European advisors really think about countries that beg for aid. Perhaps this will cause the African leaders to realize that there is no honour in begging: it is self-degrading, humiliating and even embarrassing to anyone who has any sense of pride.
The only dignified solutions for economic problems of any kind lie in the free private market. Anything else is subhuman.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/19/business/global/19drachma.html?src=twr
April 13, 2010 at 7:59 pm
[...] writer and journalist, has some of the most original notions of any African thinker. He finds some fascinating lessons for African politicians from the European Union’s decision to financially assist Greece. Writes Chisala in his [...]
April 26, 2010 at 1:14 pm
[...] Sunday, the Africa Unchained blog posted an extract from a post by Chanda Chisala, under the title ‘Aid is Humiliating for Greece but not for Africa?’ It’s [...]
May 24, 2010 at 11:45 am
The Western World has turned Africa into a Welfare Continent. Unfortunately, our leaders have entertained and sustained the culture of begging in the name of aid for a long time and it has become the norm. This sad short lived approach to governace is one that will continue to cripple our development. The politics/governance of dependance opens up opprtunities of exploitation for those with the means to exploit and take advantage while keeping those in power happy with corrupt practices through financial support. This has severe consquences as seen in Zambia where poverty really means poverty….i.e. gap between the rich and poor being huge. However, the continued recycling of politicians has had a huge negative effect on development in Africa. Too many educated and capable people have left the continent for greener pastures. Actually, I do not blame them but the again, how is Africa going to change….? A radical transformation in governance, boldness which will take long a time to see tangible results. I believe, this is the sacrifice we have to make. Our parents fought for our independence…yes, totally agree, but then again how independent are we really?