Reversing Africa's Decline: What Must Be Done?

Abstract

This article examines the African crisis from a multidimensional point of
view. It starts by looking at the various definitions and presentation of the
problem by economists, sociologists, political scientists as well as the IMP
and World ~ank. It argues that the African crisis has to be seen in terms of
loss of control by the leading political actors (states) over the socioeconomic,
political as well as cultural forces that impact upon the process
of development. It posits also that there is no automatic link between
Africa's economic decline with natural canses, the connection is mediated
by the political and economic arrangements obtaining in Africa. In that
regard Africa suffers from a plethora of crises notably the food crisis, the
energy crisis, the balance of trade crisis, the debt crisis, and the crisis of
economic management. There are also ecological as well as political
crises. The paper suggests therefore that it is impossible to prescribe a
single solution to alleviate Africa's decline. What Africa need is a
comprehensive, multifaceted and frontal strategy to attack the ills that afilict
its people.
Introduction