Give us a break
Allan Ssekamatte in Uganda
British
Prime Minister Tony Blair must be applauded for his latest initiative
for Africa. On 7 October 2004, he chaired the second meeting of what
many pundits refer to as the "Blair Commission for Africa". It was a
bold and far-sighted move by a British statesman to address problems
afflicting the continent.
While he personally committed Britain to funding Africa’s economic recovery, by writing off the UK’s share of debt owed by the world poorest countries, it remains to be seen whether the Commission will achieve tangible results. He is certainly not short of commitment, and promised to push his counterparts in the industrialised world. Mr. Blair said: "I have said on many occasions that I believe Africa is the scar on the conscience of the world, and I think it is right that we continue to treat this as an absolute priority over the coming years".
Thankfully, the 17-man Commission he formed and finances, and which includes eminent people like Tanzanian President Benjamin Mkapa, Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi and South African Finance Minister Trevor Manuel, has already published a consultation document, with a final report expected in February 2005. So, can Mr Blair, who holds the rotating presidency of both the European Union and G8, convince his counterparts – as the commission recommends – to double aid to Africa and give the continent preference in exporting goods to the industrialized world?
If the Commission is to be more than a mere talking shop, European Union countries need to adopt some recommendations immediately. In their final report, the Commission said it would propose a "rapid and time-tabled reduction" of the subsidies rich countries pay farmers in order to counter an oversupply of agricultural goods (and which suppresses prices and harms African economies). This is something that has to be taken seriously.
With almost all African countries dependent on agricultural goods, the inability to access US and EU markets has been a huge impediment to development efforts. The recommendation to G8 countries to double aid to Africa by 2006 is good, but the aid has to be supplemented by trade. Africa’s two per cent share of world trade is derisory. A complete write-off of debt-servicing for very poor African countries can also work wonders. Debt relief under the Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative has already released funds for human resource development in a number of countries.
In return, African countries must adhere to standards they have set each other in the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD). Good governance with an emphasis on human rights, improved health and education, export-led growth, and improved infrastructure development are important priorities. This, in turn, will help increase direct foreign investment – another area in which Africa is lagging behind.
Allan Ssekamatte is a sports columnist for ‘The Monitor’ in Uganda and also writes widely on economics