Should Africa Thrive on Democracy? The Influence of Its Slave Masters, the Mastermind of the Powers That Be

Africa, a continent rich in resources, culture, and resilience, continues to struggle under the weight of external influences that have long dictated its socio-political and economic direction. The question that arises is: should Africa thrive on democracy as prescribed by its former colonial masters, or should it chart its own path to prosperity, leveraging its indigenous governance systems and resources for self-sufficiency?

The Influence of Africa’s Colonial Past

The legacy of slavery and colonialism still looms large over Africa’s governance and development. The Western powers, who once enslaved and plundered the continent, have continued their influence through neocolonial tactics such as economic dependency, structural adjustment programs, and political interference. The notion of democracy, as imposed by these same powers, has often been used as a tool to control African nations rather than to genuinely empower them.

While democracy, in principle, promotes freedom, equity, and governance accountability, its application in Africa has largely been shaped to serve Western interests rather than the true aspirations of the African people. Western-style democracy has often been reduced to a cycle of elections manipulated by foreign-backed elites, resulting in governments that prioritize international agendas over national development.

Africa’s True Path to Growth and Development

Africa must awaken to the reality that no foreign power will genuinely prioritize its development. Instead of relying on foreign aid, grants, and political models that do not fit Africa’s unique socio-cultural context, the continent must look inward to define its own governance system and economic trajectory. This calls for the following:

Leveraging Indigenous Governance Systems: Before colonization, Africa thrived on traditional governance structures that emphasized communal leadership, consensus-building, and economic cooperation. The revival and modernization of these systems could offer an alternative to the Western democratic model, which often results in division and political instability.
Utilizing Africa’s Natural Resources for Development: Africa is endowed with vast natural resources, including oil, gold, diamonds, arable land, and a young, vibrant workforce. Instead of exporting raw materials to fuel Western industries, Africa must adopt policies that encourage value addition, industrialization, and the development of intra-African trade.
Investing in Technological and Industrial Advancement: The West did not become powerful by importing technology; they created and advanced it. Africa must invest in science, engineering, and innovation to drive its own development. Governments should prioritize funding for research and development while supporting homegrown solutions to technological and infrastructural challenges.
Pan-African Unity and Economic Independence: African nations must prioritize economic integration through platforms such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). This will reduce reliance on Western economies and strengthen intra-African trade, boosting the continent’s collective bargaining power on the global stage.
Educational Reforms Rooted in African Identity: African education systems must shift from being Western-oriented to focusing on skills and knowledge relevant to Africa’s economic and cultural needs. This includes promoting technical skills, entrepreneurship, and African history to instill a sense of pride and innovation in the younger generation.

Breaking Free from Western Underpinning Obligations

Africa’s economic and political ties with the West are often structured in ways that maintain dependency. Loans from institutions like the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank come with conditions that hinder true economic independence. Instead of relying on these financial institutions, Africa must seek alternative sources of funding, including partnerships with other developing regions and harnessing internal wealth through resource-driven economic models.

Additionally, African leaders must resist the Western-backed narratives that create division and conflict on the continent. Political stability and visionary leadership are crucial for breaking free from external control. This means strengthening governance institutions, promoting accountability, and ensuring that leadership is focused on national development rather than external appeasement.

The Rise of an Awakened Africa

For too long, Africa has been treated as a pawn in global power struggles. However, the continent stands at a critical juncture where it can redefine its destiny. By rejecting the imposed models of governance and development that have kept it in perpetual subjugation, Africa can reclaim its rightful place as a self-reliant and prosperous continent.

It is time for Africa to awaken from the illusion that Western democracy and economic models are the only paths to success. The continent must embrace a governance system that reflects its values, harness its resources for the benefit of its people, and cultivate a spirit of self-determination that will propel it into a future of true independence and prosperity.

Breaking Away from External Influence to Focus on Africa’s Strengths

Africa must break free from all external influences and shift its focus to its own strengths. The world looks to Africa for its natural resources to sustain its own economies, yet the same powers that exploit these resources continue to treat Africa as poor and dependent. The reality is that Africa possesses everything it needs to thrive independently—land, minerals, talent, and a youthful population eager for transformation.

The continent must embrace self-sufficiency by building strong financial systems, developing indigenous industries, and ensuring that African resources benefit Africans first. By establishing policies that promote local investment and reducing dependence on foreign corporations that extract wealth without reinvesting in the continent, Africa can secure its future.

Africa, the awakened giant, must rise not as a follower but as a leader of its own destiny. The time to act is now!

An article by: Ing. Peter Debrah

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