Fixing weak government institutions in Africa

Whereas African nations managed to break free from formal colonialism, they are still to end the colonialism phenomenon after many years of its institutionalisation in the continent. We argue that the greatest danger we face and one we must confront vigorously is the illusion of freedom. We have for leaders, mainly black stooges in our different countries, but we are governed by systems and institutions whose moral foundation is the interests of our colonial masters. Care must be taken that we do not grow accustomed to the colonial injustices that are as active in the present as they were over a century ago; we must continue to fight a fight to reclaim and re-constitute our vision of freedom.

Colonialism never left Africa and many other colonised indigenous population groups across the globe. To historize colonialism will be a disservice to the many population groups whose future remains hostage to the phenomenon. Colonialism continues to influence and shape our imagined world, our government systems and institutions, our laws – land ownership and use, economic design, our self-perception – our race, views on our skin colour, hair, culture, religion and access to resources.

We must not be blind and deaf to the fact that the colonization of Africa and the imposition of extractive government systems by European powers laid the critical foundations for the formation of government systems and institutional paths which shape forms of governance in the continent today. The extractive institutions are a characteristic feature of our governments – the military dominance and marginalisation of the public, weak civil society, and the systemic disenfranchisement of minority population groups.

Acemoglu & Robinson (2012) argue that there is a strong correlation between extractive institutions established by European powers in colonies with low settlement rates and the weakness of current governance systems in these former colonies. What is apparent is that in many independent African states, the broad institutional undermining or undercutting of local institutions and/ or values and integration of indigenous constituencies in colonial institutions, capture of extractive institutions by authoritarian local elites have been integral in the reinforcement of the dysfunctional governance paths.

Deposing dysfunctional governance systems is the responsibility of all citizens and too important to be left in the hands of politicians. Measures must be taken to ensure that dysfunctional systems are not reinforced, and governance reforms do not become an arduous task.

Weak government institutions are the worst tools with which to face the legacy of colonialism in Africa. We cannot successfully fight against this inhuman and cruel institution if today’s ineptitude institutions, identity supremacism, division, and violent extremism continue to dominate the African social, economic, and political space. We have tried excuses, but there is a time when excuses lose their appeal and only taking responsibility to change one’s circumstances is required for progress.

Colonialism is an inexcusable phenomenon in human existence; as alluded to, it has a huge role in global power dynamics of this day and is the main reason Africa is lagging in most measurable global development matrixes.

Given breaking down the colonial legacy is fundamental to creating functional governance paths, equal attention needs to be given to internal factors that lead to or reinforce weak governance in the continent. We need to acknowledge the fact that many of our governments appropriated colonial institutions and continue to close their ears and doors to the voices of the governed and are not willing to take responsibility for their contribution to weak governance.

Inclusive systems and institutions are required and there is urgent need to create processes and institutions that reflect and meet society’s needs. Institutions must be used to reorient society and enfranchise marginalised citizens; instead of adapting oppressive rules to discourage voting, we must make it easier for people to vote whether it’s by mail or in person or by proxy, people must not be denied the basic right to have their say in how they are governed.

Let us develop and fund a strategic media warfare to debunk negative stereotypes about Africa and Africans, and black people. We must tell the world who we are, and not allow the world to tell us who it thinks we are. Governments must invest in the intentional marketing of Africa, its people, history and culture; a fund must be created to finance content creators to showcase the real Africa over YouTube channels and other media platforms from an average African’s perspective.

We fully recognise that our lived experience has been at the sharp end of colonialism and that colonialism represents a violation and dispossession that can never fully be redressed. However, we are committed to make changes to internal systems so that our institutions reflect our interests and are better suited to address our challenges; this is fundamental in our battle with the deep and far-reaching vestiges of colonialism.