AFRICA IS SO RICH BUT HER PEOPLE DIE OF HUNGER – Poor leadership to blame

After a quick read through an article published by Voice of America on the ongoing food security crisis in Africa and how millions in Africa remain at risk of starvation(https://www.voanews.com/a/millions-across-africa-at-risk-of starvation/3914156.html ), I was taken into a moment of ponder. It’s no longer news that Africa has been referred to as a continent endowed with rich natural resources and vast productive & fertile land. However, it’s depressing and vexing to know that although Africa is blessed with 50% of the world's gold, most of the world's diamonds, 90% of the cobalt, 40% of the world's potential hydroelectric power, 65% of the manganese, millions of acres of untilled farmland among many other valuable resources, its nations have often featured among the world’s poorest, needless to say the continent with high records of people starving or those at risk of starvation. While a few African nations are doing relatively well, most of them are mired in poverty and the people are stuck in poor living conditions, unable to afford meals, thus the inhabitants dying of hunger – over 233 million people in sub-Saharan Africa alone (UN Agency FAO).

Different experts seem to have an explanation for this tragic phenomenon: pervasive corruption, dysfunctional democratic institutions, resource-draining civil wars and the vestiges of colonialism among many others.

I really think we need to stop looking for something else to blame for our problems but bluntly say that our leaders are failing us in addressing the challenges of Africa. Although colonialism didn’t leave us in the best shape but it’s over 50 years on, we need to treat African problems in the African way by the African people. Imagine if African leaders organized their people and have them manage their God given resources, the sky will not even be the limit. We will be the powerhouse globally, something that we have only dreamed of. It is up to current leaders to focus on the cause of the woes of the continent and try to solve these problems.