AFRICANS, STILL IN THE SHADOW OF COLONIALISM

Senathon Ipia 
senaipia@gmail.com  +234 7052802574

Colonialism in Africa ended in the 20^th Century, but its debilitating effects have remained pervasive even into the 21^st Century. Generally, African societies are still marked with contagious negative effects of colonialism.

Colonialism presented a master-servant relationship between the whites and the blacks; a picture of the superior and inferior. It created an outlook were things or ideas of the colonial masters were regarded as superior and therefore should be copied, while things or ideas of Africans were regarded as inferior and therefore should be discarded.

Colonialism was marked with westernization of Africa. Today, Africans still copy the customs, behaviour, etc of Europe and America. This is shown in their having preference for products from the West. Or generally, Africans have high taste for foreign goods. They feel elated and more satisfied when they consume products from the West, and many young African people portray western lifestyle.  There is disillusion that the use of western products and the emulation of western lifestyle are a mark of elitist status and superiority. This of course is a myth.

Colonialism was marked with creation of a wide gap between the then African elites and the ordinary people. The elites had western education and wealth and traveled between the African region they came from and the West whenever they wanted. Today, African elites shuttle between their countries and Europe and America. They enjoy holidaying in Europe and America. On their part, holidaying in Europe and America depicts their status.

Taking resources from Africa to Europe and America was a feature of colonialism. Today, African leaders and elites are doing same – stashing away huge amount of money in Europe and America. The wealthy political class and elites leave the shores of Africa Europe and America with enormous wealth from their respective African countries. They further impoverish Africa by looting plenty of money from Africa and further enrich Europe and America as they deposit money from Africa in financial institutions in Europe and America.

In colonial times, material and human resources from Africa were employed in developing Europe and America. Today, the huge sums of money from Africa stashed away in banks in Europe and America are used or lent by the banks for investments in Europe and America for more development. Imagine the level of progress we would have had in Africa if the plenty of money leaving the shores of Africa today (not in business transactions) were invested in Africa.

The elites and political class see Europe and America as havens but blatantly ignore the fact that they never earn their living there. Back home, they control natural resources and/or public treasury in their respective countries from which their enormous wealth emanates, part of which is stashed away in the West. When their past actions and activities cause political upheaval, they take refuge in Europe and America, and return only when the coast is clear.

Colonialism was marked with European countries’ gross intervention in African political and economic affairs. Today, the politics and economies of African countries are submitted to interventions by Western countries. Colonialism ushered in the opportunity for European powers to exploit Africa’s natural resources. Today, it is a custom that those in governments of African States cultivate the attitude of visiting foreign countries and canvassing foreigners who could come and continue exploiting African’s natural resources in the name of foreign investors.

When ambassadors, high commissioners, foreign observers, foreign delegation, etc pay courtesy call on our government officials or when our government officials speak at public events involving nationals of Western countries, they never fail to remind the foreigners about the abundant natural resources in their country, and the need for foreigners to invest in tapping the resources. What a government official who makes such a remark is simplifying saying but unconscious of is: from where the Europeans stopped exploiting our natural resources at the end of colonial rule, you foreigners can continue there.

To African leaders: is it beyond the bounds of possibility that Africans can develop technology to exploit their natural resources and get 100% of the benefit from their natural resources? Can’t we add value to what we have before we sell?

I know it is common to project the reasonableness of inviting foreigners to exploit our natural resources on the premise that we do not have local or indigenous technology needed to exploit our natural resources. But I also know that it is within the realm of possibility that the needed technology can be made locally. What concrete efforts have governments of African States made to support technological development initiatives or towards technological development in their countries? It is no doubt that little or no financial support is provided for our talented young men and women with technical ability, to take their inventions to the next level. After fruitless effort of trying to get the government support, many end up frustrated and abandon their laudable technological initiatives – and total dependence on foreign technologies continues. This is unacceptable.

              

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