Africa is a continent, made up of over 53 different countries,
with various cultures, and that have different systems of government,
including democracies, monarchies and dictatorships. It is believed in
some quarters that civilization has its roots in Africa, and truly being
a social system, Africans had their ways of doing things (the culture)
before exposure to the international system.In his statement, when US president Barack Obama visited Ghana, as his first visit to Africa after his assumption of office as the president of the USA, he made a profound statement, 'Africa does not need strong men, but strong institutions'. I believe this statement, was borne out of his knowledge and a little experience he may have had about Africa, partly because he has African roots. Many have shared their opinions about this statement and expressed these opinions in various ways, and myself, I have given it very deep thoughts.
The fact is this, having been an African (100%), living on this continent for over two (2) decades, and having considered various ways possible of helping liberate Africa and Africans from the current conditions we find ourselves in, I think His Excellency the President, with due respect, was far from right this time.
The reason is this; it is historically acknowledged that no human society has tremendously advanced within a short moment, beginning solely on strong institutions, especially at the stage where Africa currently finds itself. European countries, the United States of America, Asia, especially China, and the Americas, have all witnessed this fact. Another question then arises: 'what were the propelling factors for development before the concept of formal institutions came into being?'
Personally, I believe that Africa, at it its current state, does not need strong institutions. What Africa needs is strong leaders, resilient enough to resist both destructive internal and external pressure, and benevolent enough to build very STRONG INSTITUTIONS. The reason is this; There are only a hand full of formalized institutions. These institutions are very weak and the leaders are not strong enough to make them strong (I mean Implementation and enforcement). The problem of enforcement mainly stems from supervision. Supervision in all sectors is weak, and this has caused failure in the various systems, including law enforcement, adjudication, and education. African leaders must be strong enough to cause drastic and radical changes to these systems and institutions, when the need arises, as expected today.
Until we reflect deeply within ourselves, to consider how unique we are and can be, and plan our development based on our joint aspirations, reflected in our leaders--who do not succumb to destructive pressure,---Africa will take more than centuries to get to levels where other regions of the world are today.
