Decolonizing the Developmental Agenda: A Prerequisite for African Democracy and Governance

Introduction

The continent of Africa has a wide range of complex and long-standing development issues that may be traced back to the colonial era and beyond (Hopkins, 2019). These obstacles are multifaceted, showing up in the political, economic, and social sectors to create a tangled web of problems that have slowed the continent's development.

Many African countries' governments have struggled with democracy and good governance (Mangu, 2014). Despite great achievements made in the post-independence era, a democratic deficit characterized by political instability, corruption, weak institutions, and an often-glaring absence of the rule of law persists. The establishment of stable settings essential to sustained growth has been hampered by these political issues (Christensen & Laitin, 2019).

Poor infrastructure, minimal industrialization, high unemployment, and a reliance on primary commodities as exports are only some of the economic challenges the continent faces. A cycle of economic instability, characterized by slow growth and widespread poverty, has followed (Rekiso, 2017). Africa's capacity to steer its economic direction is hampered by the continent's high level of external debt and the negative effects of globalization (Asongu & De Moor, 2017).

Poverty, inequality, and social exclusion are persistent problems in many African countries (Modi, 2015). The repercussions of climate change and environmental degradation, as well as issues like inadequate access to quality education and healthcare, compound the continent's developmental challenges.

Further complicating these developmental issues is the fact that conflicts and post-conflict scenarios continue to plague large swaths of the continent, disrupting economic operations, diverting resources, and displacing populations.

Africa's path to development is complicated by a wide range of issues that call for collaborative, creative, and culturally sensitive solutions that take into consideration the continent's specific historical and contemporary situations.

The fight for democracy in Africa is intrinsically linked to the continent's colonial history and the continuing influence of neo-colonial powers (Zreik, 2021). Many of Africa's pre-colonial ethnic and regional disputes were exacerbated by the imposition of institutions and systems that didn't fit with them by former colonial powers (Somerville, 2017).

Post-colonial government has been plagued by ethnic struggle and warfare because of the arbitrary borders set during the colonial period, which often confined multiple ethnic groups within single states. Political instability and authoritarianism are common outcomes of the struggle for power and wealth inside these arbitrary borders.

The colonial legacy is also strongly felt in the business world. Instead of establishing varied, self-sustaining economies, African economies were predominantly constructed to serve the needs of the conquerors, with an emphasis on extracting resources for export (Wengraf, 2018). As a result, it is susceptible to swings in commodity prices and dependent on overseas markets.

These problems are made worse by neocolonial ideas. Many African nations' internal affairs are still meddled with by former colonial powers or international financial organizations, even though they have achieved legal independence (Schmidt, 2013). This meddling can weaken national sovereignty, distort economies, and keep autocratic and corrupt regimes in power.

In addition, the Western-style democracy that is transferred to Africa may not necessarily be compatible with the local social and cultural norms. This discrepancy can make it harder to consolidate democratic government by undermining the legitimacy of democratic institutions and processes (Youngs, 2015).

The history of colonialism in Africa, the impact of neocolonialism, and the fight for democracy all have complex and intertwined connections. One of Africa's greatest difficulties is overcoming these historical and ongoing influences to establish effective, responsive, and truly democratic governance systems.