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A CONSPIRACY THEORY, VALID CONCERN OR AN EXCUSE FOR FAILURE?
My last post has been generating a lot of mixed reactions.
If we continue to take the view that foreigners, Western countries, or international institutions are responsible for our under-development, we invariably exonerate ourselves from blames.
Each time we claim that foreign interests influence and compromise our economic policies and development agenda, we affirm that we are incapable of making the right decisions for ourselves, that we are incompetent (unable to tell what is good or bad for us), unpatriotic (do not care about our countries and we'll rather prioritise the interest of others), or we are all corrupt (as to accept any forms of inducement and personal benefits at the expense of our national interests).
This mindset is unhelpful. It gives our policymakers and leaders permission to fail since we can always blame someone else.
America was once colonised. They developed when they chose to. China did not need the permission of any foreign influence to develop, and neither did they have to isolate themselves. Even small Rwanda is making its own decisions and developing its economy just like Singapore. The sooner we accept full responsibility for our under-development rather than blame others, the better for us.
Any foreign influence pale in comparison to our self-inflicted challenges. You can play your part by participating and contributing meaningfully to policy formulations. Choose not to jump into conclusions based on news deadlines, question assumptions, and challenge stereotypical thinking.
It is time to grow up, Africa!
Bonus note: Well done if you read this entire note to the end. Various studies show that about 80% wouldn't. Now go ahead and watch this video youtu.be Nigeria's tax and fiscal reforms - YouTube
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