The youth certainly have a place in Africa’s development efforts, but sadly, they have not been offered the right opportunities for them to put to practice their skills. This is the reality of Africa today.
The old and often frail politicians are still in command of Africa’s political circles. The average age of West African leaders today is 60, and as more and more countries prepare to go to the polls yet again, it does not look likely that this average age is about to be reduced. It is not a bad thing to have old hands running a country but it is very bad and discouraging when the young professionals and other keen and ambitious youth are not given the exposure, much-needed experience to enable an effective change of the leadership baton from an old hand to a well groomed young leader.
The world is changing rapidly and it is difficult for the old to stay up-to date with all the modern technology. Despite the new revolution in the field of trade, commerce, industry and even politics, Africa is still clinging on to the old and rugged ideas and philosophies that are of no relevance today. The point here is that it is the same ideas that the youth might learn and therefore the continent could end up with this vicious circle of recycled ideas; ideas that lead no-where.
It is true that the ideologies of most political parties in Africa today are outdated and fail to address the current needs of the people. Therefore, they must be denounced or should be made more relevant to the 21st century African. Take the case of Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana’s ideas; a true pan-Africanist who fought colonialism, but in Ghana today, his “party” is struggling to make an impact on the political scene in the country.
Dr Nkrumah’s ideas in the 1950s were very relevant and essential in that they addressed the problems of the time. His vision to build a dam, improve infrastructure and push for African Unity through regional and economic integration was a masterstroke, well ahead of its time. But today, as the problems have become complex for Africa, and indeed Ghana, not every idea Nkrumah had is relevant now. That is why the party he formed to lead Ghana to independence does not even command 5 per cent of the active voting population, a classic case of the need for a paradigm shift. The leaders in Africa are failing to recognise the need for fresh and perhaps young ideas.
I remember clearly in 2001 when in Maputo to interview President Joaquim Chissano, former President Kenneth Kuanda of Zambia was also there at the residence of President Chissano, apparently on a visit. I sneaked in to pose a quick question to President Kaunda on Africa’s problems, and the continent’s future. Kuanda was very emphatic and quite philosophical that until African leaders fight current problems of the continent like they fought slavery and colonialism in the past, the future of the continent would not improve. He was very much worried about the ravages of HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis on the continent. Of course, Kaunda’s own son died of AIDS and since his son’s death, he has been a true advocate for HIV/AIDS to be eradicated.
This however did not affect my judgement of his statement. It was very obvious that what Kaunda was referring to was the need for African leaders to have a dream, a vision. The forefathers of the land had a dream, which they pursued at a very early age.
The wise ones have warned us about our dreams. “Beware of your dreams- for they may come true!”, is one popular African adage that is mentioned several times but sadly, has not been followed much. The past leaders of Africa dreamt about independence from colonialism and it did come true. But what sort of dreams do the young ones in Africa have today?
It is frightening to note that there is so much disillusionment among the young people of Africa today. In an essay competition organised by Africa Week, (the book Youth Voices is yet to be published) for the youth in Africa on how they see the continent socially, economically and politically, many of the young participants, aged between 15 and 24 were wary of the political leadership on the continent today. Some referred to democratic institutions in countries like Ghana and Nigeria as a “democratic dictatorship”. The move by President Olusegun Obasanjo to seek a third term was rebuffed by some of the youth as a slap in the face of 130 million Nigerians, and the passing of the law, regarding the voting by Ghanaians abroad by the Ghanaian parliament without the active participation of the opposition parties in the voting process was described by one participant as proof that, “the winner takes all approach in politics is not bound to go, whether under dictatorship or a democratically elected government”.
The youth also lamented badly the lack of incentives, not only in politics but also in the organisation of basic amenities on the continent today. I really did identify with most of the issues that the youth raised in the competition that received more than a 100 entries across the breadth of the continent and beyond. Whereas governments on the continent are trying their best to improve the lot of the people, not much has been received because there is the need for a renewal of the policies that they often implement. Given the sizeable level of the active youth population in Africa, youth training schemes have to be more relevant to the youth.
The youth of most political parties in Africa have members who can barely walk, not because they are disabled, no, but because they are too old to walk! This is by no means taking a swipe at any political party, as most political parties in Africa would agree with what I have stated. The development of Africa calls for a more dynamic leadership with fresh ideas and the youth can play a part.
