This looks a most interesting read and I'm sure I would heartily agree with most of the points Magatte Wade makes. Like many people of my generation, I was sensitized to the problems of development in Africa by the awful famine in Ethiopia in 1984. I responded by becoming a VSO volunteer - a role that actually took me to an agricultural project in Indonesia, rather than anywhere in Africa - but I remained involved in 'development' for several decades, to the extent my 'day job' allowed. In particular, I supported the work of a small NGO working in Tanzania.
One observation I would make is that back in the 80s (and ever since), all the big UK aid agencies were staffed by people who had a left-wing perspective on aid and development. Their energy was devoted to highlighting the injustice of the international economic system and campaigning for more government aid. Yet my experience in Indonesia had shown me that successful and sustainable development comes from the drive and energy of local people and that, if grant money for capital investment was needed in the early stages, there seemed to be quite a lot of money around. Even then I felt that campaigning for a percentage of GDP to be spent on aid was all back to front. Great for the aid agencies, but not much good for development.
Later, having become older and more cynical, I have come to the conclusion that aid agencies are actually doing more harm than good. Aid has become very big business and too many careers and lavish lifestyles are fueled by aid - and too many communities and local economies are disrupted by aid. It was great to see the President of Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo delivering a lecture to President Macron on the need to break away from dependence on aid. Here's the link: https://youtu.be/aPEeiFBUwM4?si=92biB70haJW586sh
This looks a most interesting read and I'm sure I would heartily agree with most of the points Magatte Wade makes. Like many people of my generation, I was sensitized to the problems of development in Africa by the awful famine in Ethiopia in 1984. I responded by becoming a VSO volunteer - a role that actually took me to an agricultural project in Indonesia, rather than anywhere in Africa - but I remained involved in 'development' for several decades, to the extent my 'day job' allowed. In particular, I supported the work of a small NGO working in Tanzania.
One observation I would make is that back in the 80s (and ever since), all the big UK aid agencies were staffed by people who had a left-wing perspective on aid and development. Their energy was devoted to highlighting the injustice of the international economic system and campaigning for more government aid. Yet my experience in Indonesia had shown me that successful and sustainable development comes from the drive and energy of local people and that, if grant money for capital investment was needed in the early stages, there seemed to be quite a lot of money around. Even then I felt that campaigning for a percentage of GDP to be spent on aid was all back to front. Great for the aid agencies, but not much good for development.
Later, having become older and more cynical, I have come to the conclusion that aid agencies are actually doing more harm than good. Aid has become very big business and too many careers and lavish lifestyles are fueled by aid - and too many communities and local economies are disrupted by aid. It was great to see the President of Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo delivering a lecture to President Macron on the need to break away from dependence on aid. Here's the link: https://youtu.be/aPEeiFBUwM4?si=92biB70haJW586sh
Good points Mike.