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2009-03-06 Africa Subsaharan

'Stop giving aid to Africa. It's just not working'

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Posted by tipper 2009-03-06 18:16|| || Front Page|| [1 views ] Top

#1 I recall an interview in Der Spiegel a few years back. I'll have to dig to find it, but the gist of it was this: the reporter was talking to a high official in the Kenyan government (Ag Minister?), and the reporter asked what she, the minister thought of the foreign aid that Kenya received. He doubtless thought that she would talk about the importance of it and ask for more.

Instead, her words were simple. "Stop."

What, the reporter asked?

Stop, the minister said, and then related how foreign aid was killing her country. The grain given to her country was stolen almost before it came ashore at the docks, and the farmers there couldn't compete with free (stolen) grain, so they quit farming. The donated clothing from the west killed the domestic market. And so on, and so on.

An eye opener.

We ought to think about stopping the aid and instead help the African nations with markets. Let them sell whatever it is they can create or grow. That would not only build their economies but also foster rule of law, the courts, and so on.

Posted by Steve White 2009-03-06 18:54|| 2009-03-06 18:54|| Front Page Top

#2 whole heartedly concur.

Posted by Whineper Prince aka Broadhead6 2009-03-06 18:58|| 2009-03-06 18:58|| Front Page Top

#3 Old but relevant essay on the subject by Kim du Toit

Posted by Uning Munster3399 2009-03-06 19:21|| 2009-03-06 19:21|| Front Page Top

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