Does anyone know what is wrong with Africa?

Question

There is a great deal wrong in Africa. The continent has the highest ratio of internally displaced people in the world, we generate more refugees than any other continent, and we are poorer now than we were before independence from colonialism. We are the AIDS/HIV capital of the globe and our life expectancies are retreating on a scale seldom seen in history.

Answer 1

It's a very difficult question to answer, but the solution will come with education. I'm not just talking about schooling, though that is the first step, and most important, I'm talking about educating the adults about things like AIDS and about their own governments. What I see is that there is incredible corruption in African governments, almost without exception, yet the people don't hold their leaders to any standards. I understand that many of them are barely surviving and what goes on in the capital has little or no impact on them, or so it seems. But until the people start to demand honesty, not that every problem be fixed immediately, but honesty in government, Africa will never develop.

I live in China. It is amazing what foreign investment has done for the development of this country. (I'm not suggesting that everything about foreign investment is positive, but Africa could surely use the financial boost that comes with it.) No company will ever invest in Africa, because they could never rely on the government to be stable, on the infrastructure to be reliable, or on the workforce to be educated.

I've thought about this a bit. My husband is from Africa, and we think about raising our children there (sending them to international schools). The only solution I can think of is to have an aggressive radio campaign that targets every little tribe in the middle of the jungle or on the plains, educating the people about their governments, running for maybe five or six years without stop.

I don't know. Do you have a solution?

To SASHA. Get a clue. You can't blame everything on America and the fact that you want to blame Africa's problems on America shows how little value any other finger pointing at the US you do has. It's a knee-jerk reaction to anything in the world that goes wrong. It has become a joke and the cry of the ignorant!!! Do a little reading. Learn a little about history. Actually know what you are talking about before you open your mouth, especially if you are going to make accusations. Even a speck of understanding will tell you that if anyone is to blame for Africa's problems besides the Africans, it's the Europeans.

Answer 2

It's hard to understand because the continent didn't have this many problems before colonialism. Some problems arise because many African nations have very new governments. Some just gained independence around forty/fifty years ago. And at least in my country, the government is not too stable, there is so much money but people remain poor, and the muslims and christians both want to control government at the same time. The poorer one is, the harder to get an education, and with no education, the cycle continues.

Answer 3

I think that the problem In South Africa is the same as in Germany, or was.
Too much promised to too many in too smaller time frame. Too much expectation by too many to. Unfortunately, these two countries peoples had seen for a long time what the rest of the developing world had or was getting, and fair enough they wanted a slice of the cake. But hang on a second. These other countries had worked hard at getting it, one way or another for a long time. Now the two countries in question here, or at least my answer, were greedy for the riches they wanted, and wanted or expected them way before they could ever within reasonable doubt be got. Massive change in so many ways can NOT happen over night or even 10-20 years. It takes maybe 10 generations to do it, and do it properly.
In my HUMBLE opinion any way.

Answer 4

Don't get me wrong but I think that the main problem is the governments.
They don't know what to do and the only help they ask is money.
That adds up to the problem, doesn't solve it.
In Angola, for instance, civil war was about who controlled the diamond mines.
Africa is a very rich continent but the majority of the countries lack the wits to use it in their behalf.
I don't mean you're stupid! I mean you have a lot to learn.
Every country in the world has still a lot to learn.
For instance, the US haven't learn it all yet, just look at the homeless people they have.
And also, I think Africa wasn't richer before, I think people just lived content of they had and that makes a good difference.
We start looking at others and we get jealous.
We want what they have but it doesn't mean we necessarily need it.
And don't go on blaming colonizers!
Just look at Congo.
They are poorer know because they killed and expelled foreigners who were responsible for developing plantations and generating money.
They burned plantations instead of continuing to make them profitable.
Bad government call, I say!
Everything else comes like a snowball.
Lack of information, lack of tools, lack of guidance.
But you can start making a difference.
Do you know about the man who was hungry and the other man, instead of giving him food, taught him how to fish?
Think about it.

Answer 5

The catholic religion is growing faster in Africa than anywhere else in the world. Unforunately the catholic stance on contraception stops many using condoms, hence the rapid spread of aids/HIV. The answers to this question could fill an encyclopedia.

Answer 6

G8 has yet 2 make good on their obligations & UR average Brit has been lied 2 over Aid 2 Africa.
We're deeply ashamed of them.
They all got 2gether promised the Earth, but it would seem never intended 2 make good on their promises!
The War on Terrorism seems 2 B their only Priority!
Sir Bob Geldof has done more, thank god than any waste of space Politicians!

Answer 7

I think it's a sad case of richer people only wanting to get things out of there but not bring anything good in. Africa has always been a continent of colonies and exploitation, but no one was interested in constructing a real civilization there. I think it lacks infrastructure, hygiene and organization.

Answer 8

i could list loads of things as to why i think africa is in such trouble, but i am sure by the time i have finished 10 people will have already done that and probaby more elequently than i can.

have you seen the film hotel rwanda? if not you should its a good film. there is a scene where nick nolte and don cheadle are discussing the actions the UN will be taking, when cheadle hears that the un will not be saving the tutsi and only taking the white people to saftey he asks why, notle tells him " they dont care, you are african, you are not even nig*ers, you are african". and i think that one movie line explains clear as day why africa is in the state it is, because we (the west) do not care, we want the oil and gold of course we do, we want to exploit your markets but we dont care if you africa continues to starve until the end of time. i hope you can see what i am saying and dont think i am being racist coz i aint i swear, i wish it would stop but it wont.

Answer 9

A good place to start would be to practice birth control. One child per couple worked in China for about 50 years to slow down the rampant growth. Rampant growth breeds a number of additional problems.

Answer 10

Education is the problem. Africa needs educating in ALL areas.

Voodoo is a big problem & has caused Africa to sink to its knees rather than progress with the times.