Stabilising political and economic situations in Africa

By Livinus Nnebedum

There are 55 countries in African as at date. All the countries in Africa have got their independence. Most of them got their independence from their colonial masters in the 1960s. Some of them got in­dependence before 1960. The ear­liest one was Liberia in 1847 fol­lowed by South Africa in 1910. The latest was South-Sudan in 2011. Nigeria got her own inde­pendence in 1960.

Does freedom from colonial rule mean Economic independ­ence for these Countries? Polit­ical stability and good govern­ance would enhance Economic Independence and good govern­ance. Military Coups and counter- coups, election malpractices and other crises, contribute a lot to po­litical instability in most of these countries in Africa. These create unfair and unconducive atmos­phere for foreign Investment.

In South Africa, the first elec­tion that was open to all races was held in 1994. The elections drew long lines of voters to the polls. In the elections, blacks gained con­trol of the government from the white minority. Previously, Blacks, who make up the majority of the nation’s population, could not vote. In Ghana the match to po­litical stability is already on course and had reached advanced stage. It was on March 2007 that Ghana celebrated 50 years of Independ­ence as the first sub- Saharan Af­rican nation. In December 2008 John Atta Mills won a second round of the presidential election in Ghana. The story of Ghana’s political stability was a long one.

It started from Kwame Nk­rumah, through Acheampong, Akuffo, Busia, Jerry Rawlings to Atta Mills and Mahama. In 1952 Nkuruma became the first Afri­can prime Minister and govern­ment leader.

On March 6, 1957 Ghana gained independence. Ghana is the leading cocoa exporter in the world and also produces one tenth of the world’s gold. In Febru­ary 24, 1966 the first Military coup occurred in Ghana and Military regime took over. In September 1969 Multi-party elections were held and Dr. Kofi Busia emerged as the leader. Economy of Gha­na was not better then. In 1979 Military coup was executed by the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (A. F. R. C.) led by Jerry Rawlings who took over the gov­ernment of Ghana. In Septem­ber1979 AFRC turned over power to Hilla Liman and Rawlings and his soldiers returned to the army. There were also Rawlings Mili­tary interventions again in 1980, 1981, 1982 and 1983. In 1992, a new Democratic Constitution was passed. Political prisoners were freed and parties allowed. Free press and human organizations emerged in Ghana. In November 1992 multi- party elections were held and Jerry Rawlings won. There were many military inter­ventions in Ghana but today it is bringing some political stability. Ghanaian Economy is showing signs of improvement.

Nigeria got her independence on 1st October 1960. It was Mr. Harold Macmillan, then prime Minister of the United Kingdom (U. K.) who announced the date of Independence for Nigeria at N0 10 Downing Street, London. ZIK, Awolowo, Balewa, Sardauna and Macmillan were there in Lon­don. There were military regimes in Nigeria from Jan. 1966 to 30th September 1979. From 1st Octo­ber 1979 to December 31, 1983 it was civilian regime. From 31st December 1983 to 28th May 1999 it was another military regime. But from 29th May 1999 to date, there is civilian regime.

The Liberia Crisis under- Ex – President Samuel Kanyon Doe is still fresh in our mind. The signs of political stability are yet to emerge although the first woman African president, Mrs. Ellen Johnson – Sirleaf of Liberia is trying to build- up political stability in the already depressed economy. She took over leadership of Liberia from 2005.

Wars, continuous military in­terventions in. politics, coups, and counter- coups and election mal­practices can never bring stability in governance and politics.

The political and Economic sta­bility of most countries in Africa are yet to be feasible with the ex­ception of very few in most re­cent times namely Ghana and South Africa. There is great need to stabilize the Economy and po­litical institutions in Africa coun­tries. Time will tell with God’s in­tervention.

Nnebedum is of the Anambra State Agricultural Development Programme (ADP)