The question about Nyerere and Nkuruma are very complex ones, as we have
seen defferent annalyses on this pannel concerning their contributions to
the development and problems of Africa.
However, some contributors had used their scholarstic strengths in order to
give us a picture of the achivements and failures of these two African
leaders.Well, we must first accept that,to be part of a problem, one must
first be part of the solution! in doing so there is a risk to be part of the
problem .Otherwise, one can never be part of the problem if you are not part
of the solution! This is why Nkruma and Nyerere became part of the problems
of Africa.
African scholars should by now realize the fault of our leaders and start to
make a change. Yes, Halifa is right to take reference to colonialism and the
geopardy created by western politics in Africa!
We must take account of history to be able to solve our present problems.
The western economic view of development suggest a mass, concious,
concented, systematic and scientific mobilization of all available
resources, being human & material to achieve a tatal upward of
development.And this must of course colaborate with the cultural social
meanings of the people. It is then a fact that, we need our own values and
meanings to attribute to both economic,social and political development.
This is where our sscholars failed! "African western-brains" called
"interlectuals" They emulate the western philosophies to be implimented in
Africa. Where in Africa had they succeeded? None! Miracle! The reason is
that, they are not applicable to hte traditions and cultural values of our
societies! This is a very important economic factor of development that we
have been under estimating all along.
We should not put all the blame on the west because we are also part of the
problem! Actions speaks louder than words!
Nyerere and Nkuruma where both part of the problem and the
development!However, they were not like the average African leaders like
Dawda Jawara of the Gambia, Mobutu of Zaire, Bongo of Gabon, Bukasa of the
Central African Republic, Said Barrre of Somalia, Samuel Doe of LIbeeria ,
Houphet Boigny of Ivory coast, the list can be long.
The over greedy attitudes of these leaders have given rise to
social,political and economic instability in Africa. That is why an
exception should always be made to give credit to these two great African
leaders who where at least trying to be part of the solution. We should give
them credit in order to encourage those who are trying to be part of the
solution.
Nyerere and Nkuruma had good development plans.There plans were killed by
both internal and external forces. Nkuruma believed primarily in achieving
political independence as a precondition for economic independence and
development. His ideas based on agriculture, industrialisation and African
Socialism. Nkuruma thought that for thses economic aspirations to
materialise, education, training and a wider market was essential. That was
why Nkuruma invested a large part of Ghana's GNP on education and making
Ghana one of the most literate societies in Africa.( They were very
instrumental in the education system of the Gambia during my school days)
In order to achieve a wider market, Nkuruma tried to work for the unity of
Africa. He tried to the lay the foundation for an economicc industrial leap
forward by creating the Akosomo hydroelectric dam to cater for the electric
needs of the people. He created several universities, Research institudes,
etc. If he had not been overthrown in a military coup, we are certain that
his economic dreams could have substantially alleviated the economic
desperation of the African continent. However, we should always try to
remember his foresight and investments, because of this Ghana is one of the
best and most promising economies of Africa.
Nyerere's development plans were followed up in principle but hard to follow
up in reality. The irony of the matter is that, at every point in the time
of the plan implimentation period, unforeseen social, cultural and exogenous
factors stepped in, to distruct funds from the plan budget earning cost over
run. Nyere did not have the appropiate trained manpower to impliment such
good plans to his desires. There was a serious talent defect. To forsta
development is not merely to have good plans, but how to transform those
plans into appropiate development forces.
We can now see what these two men, Nkuruma and Nyere have in common.They had
similar problems with their ideas. Lack of human resource! The efforts for
industrialisation fadded away because of its inability to have foreseen the
anxilliarry defects and problems of a sudden industrialisation at that stage
of economic backwardness without well trained labour force.
Industrialisation goes in hand with the required technical skills and
know-how.
We can see that the ideas where not the problems. The economic failure in
Africa is due to the still deteriorating social situation.Unless we accept
that actions speaks lounder than voice,and the so called "Interlectuals"
"The western trained brains" stop their ideas of "interlectaual gymnastics"
we shall remain and shall always be far behind development. (As Musa Ngom
says "Africa, Africa competing for last position, we took first")
Admittedly, there is little doubt that economic development cannot
materialised in the absence of accurate planning, implementation and
management! and this is what Africa needs! We must take the opportunity to
be part of the solution or be part of the problem. Those who can and are not
there to be part of the solution are the real PROBLEMS of Africa! Nkuruma
and Nyerere where no island they needed dedicated people to work with and
this is the reason why their ideas fadded away and we now trying to account
them as part of the problems of Africa.
I hope we can stimulate more accute and genguine problems in Africa like
pooverty,desease,fimine, hunger, war, injustice, peace, criminality,
education,politics and economics.
Long live Africa!
Thank you.
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