What are the strategies for alleviating poverty in Africa? The proposed solution can be succinctly summarized as the need to address instances of governmental failure. When referring to "government failure," it is important to clarify that this term does not imply that governments possess malevolent intentions, incompetence, or ill-intent. Similar to the concept of "market failure," the notion of "government failure" pertains to a scenario in which the specific incentives inherent in government actions result in an outcome that is more detrimental than the desired improvement sought through intervention.
For example, governments fund and supply primary education so that children from low-income families can receive an education. However, in the scenario where teachers receive their salaries irrespective of their attendance, and politicians depend on teachers for their political campaigns, it leads to the emergence of instructors who are frequently absent from work. Consequently, this situation adversely affects the educational outcomes of children, resulting in a lack of proficiency in reading and writing. This outcome is contrary to the stated objective of promoting education and literacy. Similar instances of government failures can be observed in various sectors, including health care, water supply, sanitation, energy, transport, labor markets, and trade policy.
Why do I argue that the primary cause of the problem is attributed to government failure, rather than factors such as insufficient education, healthcare, or infrastructure? It has been widely acknowledged for a considerable duration that education, health, and infrastructure play essential roles in facilitating the alleviation of poverty. The inquiry pertains to the factors contributing to the limited provision of education, healthcare, and infrastructure for individuals experiencing poverty. The answer does not solely revolve around a scarcity of financial resources. The issue at hand pertains to the significant portion of financial resources allocated to these sectors being appropriated by influential elites prior to reaching the impoverished population. In the context of Ghana, it is evident that a mere 2% of the nonwage public expenditure allocated to healthcare effectively reaches the clinics. Other times, it's more subtle, such in the instance of the aforementioned teacher (and doctor) absenteeism or when trucking monopolies maintain transport costs so high that African exports aren't competitive in international markets. In summary, it is crucial to address government failure in order to effectively allocate resources towards areas such as education, health, and infrastructure, with the aim of benefiting marginalized populations.
Addressing government failure poses significant challenges. The aforementioned failures might be attributed to the vested interests of influential factions within society, such as government officials and politicians, who are likely to oppose any endeavors aimed at implementing reforms. What actions or measures can be taken? The act of allocating financial resources to a container with leaks will not effectively address the underlying issue. Requesting governments to undertake reforms, especially if accompanied by the implicit possibility of a cessation in financial support (often known as "conditionality"), is improbable to yield results when the government is influenced by vested interests. Arguably, one of the most efficacious courses of action involves targeting the disadvantaged individuals, specifically the impoverished, and equipping them with knowledge pertaining to various aspects such as the rates of absenteeism among teachers and doctors, the prevalence of energy and water subsidies, as well as the implications of labor regulations and protective import tariffs. By doing so, these individuals can exert influence on politicians through the application of pressure. Political leaders have the ability to disregard the guidance provided by technical experts and other entities, but they cannot afford to overlook the concerns and opinions of their fellow citizens within their nation.
Undoubtedly, the task of providing impoverished individuals with access to information is a formidable challenge. To begin with, a significant number of individuals engage in 15-hour workdays in order to meet their basic financial needs. The expectation for individuals to participate in village meetings, engage with newspaper articles, or actively listen to radio broadcasts may not be easily fulfilled.
Additionally, it should be noted that the provision of information alone may not suffice to effectively empower individuals living in poverty. Efficient measures are required to ensure the accountability of politicians. Furthermore, it is important to note that governments may not necessarily embrace these endeavors aimed at providing public access to evidence. In fact, certain governments may perceive such actions as provocative and hence make steps to impede them.
However, in the event that we reach a consensus on the notion that addressing governmental shortcomings is crucial in the eradication of poverty in Africa, it becomes imperative to advocate for enhanced accessibility to information among impoverished individuals. The current advancements in technology have shown to be beneficial in various aspects. The increased accessibility of cellphones among Africans, with around half of the population possessing one, has facilitated enhanced communication between individuals and politicians. Social media campaigns and other open information efforts possess the capacity to serve as more than mere platforms for generating ideas on poverty eradication. Rather, they have the potential to function as effective instruments in the pursuit of poverty alleviation.
By Enock Katere
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