Comments on: Sachs: Moyo’s Confused Attack on Aid for Africa http://www.one.org/blog/2009/05/28/sachs-moyos-confused-attack-on-aid-for-africa/ Sun, 22 Nov 2009 02:41:39 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: Fred Kyeremeh http://www.one.org/blog/2009/05/28/sachs-moyos-confused-attack-on-aid-for-africa/#comment-566196 Fred Kyeremeh Mon, 16 Nov 2009 09:24:47 +0000 http://www.one.org/blog/?p=5816#comment-566196 I have been following with interest the following arguements going on about Aid in Africa. As a Ghanaian, I find it quite humbling when I hear Ghana's name mentioned as a shining example of the progress in Africa, even likened to South Africa, a country that gained so much from the good policies of a stable democratic government albeit it's dark apartied history. Let me just say this; to the average man on the streets of Accra, or the village of Yamfo, the reality is daily hardships and a constant struggle to put food on the table, forget about being able to provide for the needs of their kids, things we take for granted here in America or europe like medical care, dental care, quality education and so forth. Has it even crossed your mind how many kids in Ghana have seen a dentist in their lifetime? I bet it's no more than 2 percent of Ghana's child population. Thank God for the unique genes he has given Africans, sometimes I wonder how people survive. Why am I saying this; judging by international economic/democratic yardsticks Ghana and SA are doing very well, but do you really believe the poor feels the same way? Ghana and SA still have a long way to go to ensure that basic needs are met, that people have food, water, basic health, etc, etc. While the big picture looks promising, let's not foget the reality on the ground, I hope that is what ONE is about. On another note, Ghana's ex-president Kuffuor was highly criticized for advocating for aid and bashing Dr. Moyo's stance on Aid. Now, this is a highly rated former president, who's been there and seen the effects of aid. Let's not forget that much of Ghana's politcal and socio-economic "transformation," (progress may be a better word) occured during the last decade and reached its peak during Kuffuor's presidency. He has seen first hand, how aid helped Ghana on the path of progress, that given a real boost, coupled with committed leadership and a progressive mindset Africa can reach great heights. It is no secret that failure of aid to reach it's full impact has been due to mismanagement and lack of real commitment on the part of African govenments to see to its effectiveness. To say that Africa should not be given aid is like telling your child, "I can pay for you to go to school but I will not, because you can go find a job and take care of yourself- Maybe the child will get by, but are you really helping the child reach his full potential? A word to the wise!!! I have been following with interest the following arguements going on about Aid in Africa. As a Ghanaian, I find it quite humbling when I hear Ghana’s name mentioned as a shining example of the progress in Africa, even likened to South Africa, a country that gained so much from the good policies of a stable democratic government albeit it’s dark apartied history. Let me just say this; to the average man on the streets of Accra, or the village of Yamfo, the reality is daily hardships and a constant struggle to put food on the table, forget about being able to provide for the needs of their kids, things we take for granted here in America or europe like medical care, dental care, quality education and so forth. Has it even crossed your mind how many kids in Ghana have seen a dentist in their lifetime? I bet it’s no more than 2 percent of Ghana’s child population. Thank God for the unique genes he has given Africans, sometimes I wonder how people survive. Why am I saying this; judging by international economic/democratic yardsticks Ghana and SA are doing very well, but do you really believe the poor feels the same way? Ghana and SA still have a long way to go to ensure that basic needs are met, that people have food, water, basic health, etc, etc. While the big picture looks promising, let’s not foget the reality on the ground, I hope that is what ONE is about.

On another note, Ghana’s ex-president Kuffuor was highly criticized for advocating for aid and bashing Dr. Moyo’s stance on Aid. Now, this is a highly rated former president, who’s been there and seen the effects of aid. Let’s not forget that much of Ghana’s politcal and socio-economic “transformation,” (progress may be a better word) occured during the last decade and reached its peak during Kuffuor’s presidency. He has seen first hand, how aid helped Ghana on the path of progress, that given a real boost, coupled with committed leadership and a progressive mindset Africa can reach great heights. It is no secret that failure of aid to reach it’s full impact has been due to mismanagement and lack of real commitment on the part of African govenments to see to its effectiveness. To say that Africa should not be given aid is like telling your child, “I can pay for you to go to school but I will not, because you can go find a job and take care of yourself- Maybe the child will get by, but are you really helping the child reach his full potential? A word to the wise!!!

]]> By: JJJ http://www.one.org/blog/2009/05/28/sachs-moyos-confused-attack-on-aid-for-africa/#comment-565310 JJJ Tue, 13 Oct 2009 23:13:45 +0000 http://www.one.org/blog/?p=5816#comment-565310 R. Kibaya asks how countries like SA is making it. As a South African who left the country because of rising crime, increasing mismanagement, corruption and political arrogance of the ruling elite, I can tell you first hand that SA`s position of strenght is a remnant of the decades of first world governance it enjoyed, despite the admitted fact that its former policies were injust. SA has never received aid and they never needed it. This will change. Lets discuss SA again in ten years` time. Its locked on the same path of self-destruction followed by all African regimes after independance. Anybody who denies this, has not been paying attention, or doesnt know whats happening there. To return to the debate: The key lies in the words: " ..well directed and fully accountable". There can be no argument against aid to assist African people with AIDS and Malaria, and even infrastucture, and it can and will be of great benefit and will assist in the process to try and make Africa independant of aid. But there can also be no argument: African politicians and officebearers have proven that no aid can be entrusted to them to manage. Aid has to be managed by independant entities and kept away from the kleptomaniacs who call themselves leaders in Africa. R. Kibaya asks how countries like SA is making it. As a South African who left the country because of rising crime, increasing mismanagement, corruption and political arrogance of the ruling elite, I can tell you first hand that SA`s position of strenght is a remnant of the decades of first world governance it enjoyed, despite the admitted fact that its former policies were injust. SA has never received aid and they never needed it. This will change. Lets discuss SA again in ten years` time. Its locked on the same path of self-destruction followed by all African regimes after independance. Anybody who denies this, has not been paying attention, or doesnt know whats happening there. To return to the debate: The key lies in the words: ” ..well directed and fully accountable”. There can be no argument against aid to assist African people with AIDS and Malaria, and even infrastucture, and it can and will be of great benefit and will assist in the process to try and make Africa independant of aid. But there can also be no argument: African politicians and officebearers have proven that no aid can be entrusted to them to manage. Aid has to be managed by independant entities and kept away from the kleptomaniacs who call themselves leaders in Africa.

]]> By: Ridiyen Kibaya http://www.one.org/blog/2009/05/28/sachs-moyos-confused-attack-on-aid-for-africa/#comment-563045 Ridiyen Kibaya Mon, 01 Jun 2009 19:42:22 +0000 http://www.one.org/blog/?p=5816#comment-563045 Again, the excessive dramatics you are bringing are not helping the debate. Africa for me is my home, my continent. This is not some hobby for me or some 'calling'. These children under 12 you are referring to are my family, not a 'cause'. God put me on this earth to be the best human being I can and with all my strength I will do that. my education has allowed me to see how things can be better, and I will strive to make things that way. Have you recently how much aid Zimbabwe and Sudan were getting recently? And those are extreme cases where there is no peace. How about the countries with peace and stability and the young farmer tying to make it, but unfortuantely he can't compete with the 'yellow maize' from USAID. If you have no idea what 'yellow maize' is it the maize for livestock whcih USAID shoved down our throat during a drought, even though the government had reserves. By the way, yellow maize is used to fatten livestock in America. Whats my point? Africa needs to be allowed to stand on its own two feet. Again, the excessive dramatics you are bringing are not helping the debate. Africa for me is my home, my continent. This is not some hobby for me or some ‘calling’. These children under 12 you are referring to are my family, not a ’cause’. God put me on this earth to be the best human being I can and with all my strength I will do that. my education has allowed me to see how things can be better, and I will strive to make things that way. Have you recently how much aid Zimbabwe and Sudan were getting recently? And those are extreme cases where there is no peace. How about the countries with peace and stability and the young farmer tying to make it, but unfortuantely he can’t compete with the ‘yellow maize’ from USAID. If you have no idea what ‘yellow maize’ is it the maize for livestock whcih USAID shoved down our throat during a drought, even though the government had reserves. By the way, yellow maize is used to fatten livestock in America. Whats my point? Africa needs to be allowed to stand on its own two feet.

]]> By: Eric M. http://www.one.org/blog/2009/05/28/sachs-moyos-confused-attack-on-aid-for-africa/#comment-563017 Eric M. Sat, 30 May 2009 05:02:37 +0000 http://www.one.org/blog/?p=5816#comment-563017 I fear, while accusing me of being dramatic, you are making the case that the west is giving aid to African nations to keep it dubjugated? I would ask you this: do you honestly believe Ghana and South Africa would be where they're at without aid? If so, can you explain why Zimbabwe or Sudan aren't currently in better position? Or, perhaps we could talk about African nations that receive less aid than the others...still poorer by comparison. I guess their governments are still jusst willing to let the whole country burn while they wait for America to restore their workforce for them so they can start making and ebezzling money again? I am in no way "just being dramatic." What you are suggesting is nothing less than condemning thousands of children to death. Because that's how many are saved by aid every day. And if it took every nation as long to get with the program as it's taking some of them, the number would undoubtedly reach millions. This isn't your way of saving lives vs. my way. This is my way saves lives and your way condemns thousands of people under the age of twelve to death. I fear, while accusing me of being dramatic, you are making the case that the west is giving aid to African nations to keep it dubjugated?

I would ask you this: do you honestly believe Ghana and South Africa would be where they’re at without aid? If so, can you explain why Zimbabwe or Sudan aren’t currently in better position? Or, perhaps we could talk about African nations that receive less aid than the others…still poorer by comparison. I guess their governments are still jusst willing to let the whole country burn while they wait for America to restore their workforce for them so they can start making and ebezzling money again?

I am in no way “just being dramatic.” What you are suggesting is nothing less than condemning thousands of children to death. Because that’s how many are saved by aid every day. And if it took every nation as long to get with the program as it’s taking some of them, the number would undoubtedly reach millions. This isn’t your way of saving lives vs. my way. This is my way saves lives and your way condemns thousands of people under the age of twelve to death.

]]> By: Ridiyen Kibaya http://www.one.org/blog/2009/05/28/sachs-moyos-confused-attack-on-aid-for-africa/#comment-563013 Ridiyen Kibaya Sat, 30 May 2009 00:17:46 +0000 http://www.one.org/blog/?p=5816#comment-563013 Yes, but how are countries like Ghana and SA making it? By weaning themselves off the excess Aid and taking advantage of things like capital markets and bond ratings, just like the rest of the world does. Nobody wants to see 3 million kids die, thats just you being dramatic, but how many people actually want to see African nations rise up, one by one, and become serious players on the global stage? Or do people not even look at the continent that way? Yes, but how are countries like Ghana and SA making it? By weaning themselves off the excess Aid and taking advantage of things like capital markets and bond ratings, just like the rest of the world does. Nobody wants to see 3 million kids die, thats just you being dramatic, but how many people actually want to see African nations rise up, one by one, and become serious players on the global stage? Or do people not even look at the continent that way?

]]> By: Eric M. http://www.one.org/blog/2009/05/28/sachs-moyos-confused-attack-on-aid-for-africa/#comment-563011 Eric M. Fri, 29 May 2009 22:27:24 +0000 http://www.one.org/blog/?p=5816#comment-563011 Their resources, though, because of trade policies, remain largely un-tappable. Also, their debts are enormous and Big Pharm has no intention of, for example, letting them have access to the amount of ARVs required. And if there is no incentive for a nation to use its resources now, there never was, because oil nor petroleum nor diamonds nor sugar nor coffee are new to Africa, but yet most of the continent fell into its current poverty trap with absolutely no help from America, and was unable to get out. That's where people like me come in, people who are unwilling to count over 3 million children a year as collateral damage if you're right and simply wasted life if you're wrong. People like me see countries like South Africa and Uganda and Ghana making enormous strides, wondering how anyone can claim they're simply just not willing to move on their resources. Their resources, though, because of trade policies, remain largely un-tappable. Also, their debts are enormous and Big Pharm has no intention of, for example, letting them have access to the amount of ARVs required. And if there is no incentive for a nation to use its resources now, there never was, because oil nor petroleum nor diamonds nor sugar nor coffee are new to Africa, but yet most of the continent fell into its current poverty trap with absolutely no help from America, and was unable to get out. That’s where people like me come in, people who are unwilling to count over 3 million children a year as collateral damage if you’re right and simply wasted life if you’re wrong. People like me see countries like South Africa and Uganda and Ghana making enormous strides, wondering how anyone can claim they’re simply just not willing to move on their resources.

]]> By: Ridiyen Kibaya http://www.one.org/blog/2009/05/28/sachs-moyos-confused-attack-on-aid-for-africa/#comment-563009 Ridiyen Kibaya Fri, 29 May 2009 22:08:06 +0000 http://www.one.org/blog/?p=5816#comment-563009 Eric M. the African governments CAN afford to provide to do these things. They have vast resources, they just don't have any incentive to provide decent healthcare, especially if the US Government, through PEPFAR, will subsidize them? Whats the incentive? Eric M. the African governments CAN afford to provide to do these things. They have vast resources, they just don’t have any incentive to provide decent healthcare, especially if the US Government, through PEPFAR, will subsidize them? Whats the incentive?

]]> By: Eric M. http://www.one.org/blog/2009/05/28/sachs-moyos-confused-attack-on-aid-for-africa/#comment-563003 Eric M. Fri, 29 May 2009 18:24:50 +0000 http://www.one.org/blog/?p=5816#comment-563003 Perhaps...working to pass the Education for All Act that allows thousands of African children to attend school? You aren't going to create too many jobs among an illiterate population dying of HIV/AIDS. There's a ceiling there that most of Africa is very clsoe to. Education opens up limitless possibilities for jobs. PEPFAR is keeping thousands of working individuals alive in order to feed the children that will be the next generation's workforce. Let's not make it sound like all aid programs do is back a truckful of money into African nations and dump it there. Much of aid to Africa isn't even designed to be "given" to Africans, but to be spent doing things their own governments cannot afford to do that will enable them to develop. Roads, schools, water, education, basic medicine...these aren't things that Africans are dependant upon. These are things that ALL people are dependant on. We aren't subjugating Africa, we're helping them get up-to-speed by giving them the technologies and methods that have made our own development possible. Perhaps…working to pass the Education for All Act that allows thousands of African children to attend school? You aren’t going to create too many jobs among an illiterate population dying of HIV/AIDS. There’s a ceiling there that most of Africa is very clsoe to. Education opens up limitless possibilities for jobs. PEPFAR is keeping thousands of working individuals alive in order to feed the children that will be the next generation’s workforce. Let’s not make it sound like all aid programs do is back a truckful of money into African nations and dump it there. Much of aid to Africa isn’t even designed to be “given” to Africans, but to be spent doing things their own governments cannot afford to do that will enable them to develop. Roads, schools, water, education, basic medicine…these aren’t things that Africans are dependant upon. These are things that ALL people are dependant on. We aren’t subjugating Africa, we’re helping them get up-to-speed by giving them the technologies and methods that have made our own development possible.

]]> By: Sylvan Mbewe http://www.one.org/blog/2009/05/28/sachs-moyos-confused-attack-on-aid-for-africa/#comment-563001 Sylvan Mbewe Fri, 29 May 2009 18:08:17 +0000 http://www.one.org/blog/?p=5816#comment-563001 Thanks for the credit Ms. Kreuser, but Scott is right, it seems ONE operate under a veil of neutrality but really perpetuate this vicious cycle of dependence in Africa. Is there anything ONE has done in terms of helping the continent actually develop? Real development, that is, as in jobs etc. Thanks for the credit Ms. Kreuser, but Scott is right, it seems ONE operate under a veil of neutrality but really perpetuate this vicious cycle of dependence in Africa. Is there anything ONE has done in terms of helping the continent actually develop? Real development, that is, as in jobs etc.

]]> By: Debbie K http://www.one.org/blog/2009/05/28/sachs-moyos-confused-attack-on-aid-for-africa/#comment-562996 Debbie K Fri, 29 May 2009 13:11:33 +0000 http://www.one.org/blog/?p=5816#comment-562996 Scott - let's all just be honest and stop all the hyperbole on this issue. Each side of this issue will position itself in the best possible light - whether that's Moyo's side or Sachs' side. So let's be honest with each other & stop the drama. Dambisa's media outlets also don't give "equal time" to those who disagree with her. The only way that both sides will ever help the People of Africa is when we are willing to stop the war of words & WORK TOGETHER for the betterment of the Continent. AS ONE, debbie :) Scott – let’s all just be honest and stop all the hyperbole on this issue. Each side of this issue will position itself in the best possible light – whether that’s Moyo’s side or Sachs’ side.

So let’s be honest with each other & stop the drama. Dambisa’s media outlets also don’t give “equal time” to those who disagree with her.

The only way that both sides will ever help the People of Africa is when we are willing to stop the war of words & WORK TOGETHER for the betterment of the Continent.

AS ONE, debbie :)

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