Reducing Poverty in Africa - Research Paper Example

Introduction Sub-Saharan Africa in this case African continent is regarded as a continent that is characterized by so much poverty. This fact is mainly attributed to social, economic and political reasons. Therefore poverty is mainly described as an unacceptable form of human derivation in relation to economic, education, health and deficiency in empowerment and employment opportunities. Poverty in Africa involves a daily life struggle among the population. This is a struggle for survival amidst famine, disease, various forms of catastrophes and conflicts. In addition, poverty in Africa is characterized by low standards of living, lack of employment opportunities, high rates of disease infection and a rapid increase in population size. Africa as a continent is endowed with massive natural and natural resources and minerals. Despite the fact that Africa as a region is endowed with large amounts of natural resources and minerals in terms of flora and fauna high poverty levels has continued to be a threat within the African population. Hence Africa as a continent has a lot of natural resources and minerals but the population live below US$ per as a result of soaring unemployment. The essay will discuss the problem of poverty amidst plenty in Africa and ways through which poverty can be alleviated in Sub-Saharan Africa (Mzukisi, 7-13). Poverty in Africa amidst Endowment in Natural Resources Angola as one of the countries within the African continent is endowed with oil, gold in South Africa, platinum, gold and diamonds of Zimbabwe, diamonds of Botswana, fertile soils of Mozambique are some of the examples that signify that the African continent is gifted with natural resources and minerals. However, despite the availability of such natural resources high levels of poverty is prevalent in the region (Brown & Pell 13-17). Poverty in Africa can be explained in terms of the impact of colonization. The European colonization process that was experienced in the 19th Century played an important role in strengthening of Africa’s trail of institutions. According to Mills 51, African countries experienced very brutal forms of colonization. Hence, during the colonization process there was a lot of exploitation of the natural resources that were endowed in the African continent. This was mainly for the benefit of the colonialists as opposed to the benefit of the African population. Much of the prime arable land was taken up by colonialists and the exploitation of the minerals and natural resources were undertaken by the colonialists (Mills, 51). The attainment of independence in the 20th Century was marked with a lot of expectation from the African continent. Therefore independence was used to imply the end of suffering and the beginning of economic development in Africa as a continent. The African led forms of governments were tasked with the responsibilities of delivering the promises that were made during the struggle for liberation from the colonial rule. However, independence did not deliver the expected results. Instead economic stagnation, political unrest and social decay were experienced within the African continent. These factors therefore greatly contributed to the soaring levels of unemployment and poverty within the African region (Gyimah-Boadi, 11-12). Another main reason for the existence of poverty within the African region despite being endowed with various natural resources involves the fact that even after independence colonial structures are still intact. As evident in most countries there are various issues in relation to land distribution. There is privatization of large trucks of land that has left the poor to become even poorer while those who are rich and possess influence have enriched themselves with the positions that they hold in government. The rich are further engaged in the exploitation of natural resources for their own benefits. The sub-Saharan African continent experiences chronic food shortages, drought and famine, rising unemployment rates that is attributed to the failure in political leadership to tackle the issue of colonial structures that play a significant role in inhibiting development and exploitation of natural resources and minerals for the benefit of the African population (Francis, 27-32). Food insecurity in Sub-Saharan Africa is another factor that has led to the continued poverty in Africa despite the plenty of Arabic land that can be used for agricultural purposes. The Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) in its report estimated that 43% of Africa’s population in 1996 was experiencing malnourishment. Additionally, food production levels have continued to decline or stagnated within the African continent. Africa has a great potential in terms of agriculture. However, this potential in agriculture has been wasted. African states possess agricultural and arable land in plenty. However, most countries engage in an economy that is highly dependent on food importations. Africa is therefore not self sufficient in terms of food production leading to the occurrence of drought and famine that causes a lot of suffering of the African population (Boon, 41). Political leadership within the African continent context is also blamed for increased levels of poverty. It is important to note that in order to attain economic development in a particular country, leaders play a crucial role. Despite gaining independence most African leaders have continued to engage in neo-colonialism that has greatly impacted negatively on Africa as a continent. As a result of bad leadership after independence Africa has not been able to realize its full potential. Despite being gifted with a lot of wealth in terms of natural resources the wealth has benefited the elites while poverty continues to flourish within the rest of the population (Duncan, 226). The natural resources have served to enrich the elites of the African continent. Poor leadership is mainly featured with lack of sound policies that will ensure better exploitation and use of natural resources that are found in a particular country. Hence, the existence of poor policies within the African continent implies that the policies that are made are not able to facilitate the development process in Africa. In Africa the experience of poor leadership and poor policies has been common. For instance Zimbabwe experienced high poverty levels as a result of poor leadership (Acemoglu & Robinson 29-31). The existence of numerous conflicts within the African continent has also been attributed to the increased levels of poverty. Therefore there is a close association between conflict and poverty in the African continent. Armed conflicts as a result of political reasons are most common with many countries in Africa. African continent is prone to conflicts as a result of political interests. These conflicts affect the lives of the African population directly. This is due to the fact that when there is conflict development will lag behind leading to the experience of high poverty levels. Thus, the existence of conflict within the African continent has a long term poverty effect in terms of the African development process. In Africa countries such as Zimbabwe, Uganda, and Kenya among other have had a lot of conflicts that has generally increased the poverty levels. Various countries that are rich in minerals for instance oil are more likely to engage in civil wars in Africa. This is mainly instigated by the fight and unequal distribution of the available natural resources. Therefore instead of the presence of the mineral or oil being a blessing it becomes a source of various armed conflicts within the Sub-Saharan Africa (Mapuva & Makaye 159-165). Poverty Reduction in Africa Africa as a continent has engaged in various strategies in a bid to alleviate high poverty levels. Most countries within the African continent have engaged in developing various economic ideologies that will steer the continent away from high poverty levels. There is need for countries within the African continent to embrace the democratic form of government that will realize economic growth and development. The examples of Angola, Swaziland and Zimbabwe are clear examples within the African continent that lessons can be learnt in relation to undemocratic rule (Handley et.al. 91). Socio-political issues are regarded as playing an important role in poverty and poverty reduction within the African continent. The endowments of natural resources in Africa generate policy failures. The various governments within the African states fail in terms of policies leading to lack of economic performance in resource plenty countries. Hence, African countries in a bid to engage in the reduction of poverty levels need to embrace a sound form of governance. Good governance is regarded as an important ingredient in the fight against poverty in Africa. Good governance therefore entails good leadership that will facilitate various policies that will lead to development process in Africa. In addition, good governance will tame the issue of greed and corruption among African leaders that has contributed to the majority of the population being poor despite the presence of natural resources (Collier, 111). The future of Africa lies in its leadership. It is therefore important for African leadership to engage in pushing for reforms within the African continent. These reforms should permit new form of policies that will take off the continent from poverty and deprivation. Macroeconomic reforms are also essential in the sense that it will encourage investors who will be beneficial to the African economy. There is need for African leaders to be accountable in terms of governance and the exploitation of the natural resources that will benefit the African continent and steer it from high poverty levels (World Bank, 32-41). Conclusion There is the existence of so much irony within the African continent. The number of people living in absolute poverty has been declining globally. However, this scenario is not replicated in African continent whereby there is still a rise in poverty levels. The region has a wide range of wealth in terms of natural resources but considered as the worst hit region in terms of poverty. Neo-colonialism, poor leadership, existence of conflicts and natural catastrophes, lack of sound policies among other issues are considered as the main cause of poverty in Africa. Various strategies have been suggested as being important in alleviating high poverty levels in the African region. It is also important to note the fact that the African continent has the capacity to engage in development that will sustain its population. However, despite the fact that various countries in the African region has attained an remarkable GDP the benefits of the economy does not benefit the general population. Political leaders strive to hold on to power at the expense of ruining the country’s economic prosperity. Works Cited Mapuva, Jephias and Makaye Peter. Poverty Amidst Plenty: Southern Africa’s Regional Shame. Journal of Sustainable Development in Africa Volume 12, No.7, pp. 159-171, 2010. Acemoglu, Daron and Robinson, James. Why is Africa Poor? Economic History of Developing Regions Vol. 25(1) pp. 21-46, 2010. Duncan, Kennedy. African Poverty. Vol. 87: 205, pp. 205-234, 2012. Boon, Emmanuel. Combating Poverty in Africa. AREA STUDIES – AFRICA (Regional Sustainable Development Review) – Vol. I. 2010. Elizabeth, Francis. Poverty: Causes, Responses and Consequences in Rural South Africa. Development Studies Institute London School of Economics. April, 2006. Grey, Mills. Why is Africa poor? Center for Global Liberty and Prosperity. No.6, 2010. Gyimah-Boadi, E. Democratising Africa: Halting Process, Outstanding Problems, and Serious Dilemmas.Accra, 200, Ghana Universities Press, pp11-12, 2001. Pamela, Brown and Karen Pell. Poverty Amidst Plenty IV: Surviving the Economic Downturn. Fourth Edition. Annapolis, MD: Community Foundation of Anne Arundel County 2012. Mzukisi, Qobo. Africa’s Poverty amid Plenty. Retrieved of 3/19/2015 from: http://www.independent.co.ug/column/guest-column/8583-africas-poverty-amid-plenty. Geoff Handley, Kate Higgins and Bhavna Sharma. Poverty and Poverty Reduction in Sub- Saharan Africa: An Overview of Key Issues. January, 2009. Paul, Collier. Poverty Reduction in Africa. 2007. World Bank. Annual review of Development Effectiveness: The World Bank’s contribution to poverty Reduction. 2004. Read More