Business Post Contributor
By Nneka Okumazie
One of the ways to understand Africa’s predominant underdevelopment and nearly absolute corruption is just to notice how rigid the society is.
Things are so inflexible that anything really new hardly goes forward.
Yes, there are imitations of systems, programs and models from elsewhere.
There are also a few original-seeming things.
But the best of where it gets is to remain where it began or take a form that says we have this now – as a statue.
The measure of development in any country in Africa, or in general for the continent would be the measure of flexibility and fairness.
Flexibility will be obvious when there are continuous adjustments to policies per community so that changes are attacking every angle of existing underdevelopment.
Mode of continuous experimentation will be Africa’s path to development – and that experimentation would include the supremacy of fairness.
Often, people want better lives and comfort, but this also plays into the ideology for money in any way and at all cost.
It is possible to predict what would become of many when they make money or are in some position: status – consisting of image, recognition, and more.
Though in fairness to Africa, it is common in all human societies, but the use of status in Africa is mostly in the same direction.
Showoffs, give to others, exemption from some situations and respect.
There are some others who do great with their status, but the competition is for social and economic status, not necessarily passion for collective development.
The question often is that what value is the comfort, or status, or happiness of anyone or most people to the progress of the society?
The status drive would let some burnish their public image, divert good stuff to their own, denying resources to others.
Fairness of resource access and distribution would have increased chances of passionate talent identification than the common alternatives – who offer the society nothing different.
It is possible to say that many who criticize society are also rigid, as well as many who claim to be smarter than others – or know better.
There are many obvious things critics say, but those are not even Africa’s problems.
It is also a social status to speak in some intelligent way or to criticise the government.
They often forget that a program that does not work isn’t attuned as the first sign of trouble is seen.
Corruption – may be the same reason as approaches are fixed and no adjustment even when things aren’t working, so there’s always a channel to make money from inefficiency.
There are so many actions and voices of confusion, entangling Africa further away.
In one of the successes of the society, the church, a true Pastor in a true church can say do something, but a genuine Christian must always know that anything done to the Lord is unto worship, then the Lord can decide about the blessing, but the goal is worship.
Some would say because they cannot see blessing then it was not true: no, it’s not that measure, a sign of rigid thinking also.
Development of Africa is far easier than people assume, and it is not about infrastructure first, or government frequent press, or trade – but fierce experimentation for progress and credible fairness.
[Psalm 71:1, In Thee, O Lord, do I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion.]
