Education in (Ghana) Africa is more theoretical than practical and we are been thought think and act in a way that put the Western world on top of the economic chain, making them our superiors. BACS191015
Concerning the issue of whether the world bank is ready to develop Africa or not is a matter of understand what an institution that is a bank stands for. I think a is and will never be an NGO and for that matter will always aim at making profit, therefore with regards to the whether or not they are helping or not comes to mind what they stand to gain. The billion dollar question is who gains more... The countries they claim to support or them??
The educational system or standard in Africa, let me say specifically the West African countries are very poor and at the same time demands a lot from pupils and students than it should be.
Private and Public schools teach their students with different curricula and expect that they all write same exams at end of the day. Which is totally out place in my opinion.
I believe the world bank wants to develop Africa. Most African countries are underdeveloped and as such creates the opportunity for the world bank to invest in the continent. The long term goal of every bank is to make interest, considering the number of underdeveloped countries in Africa it would be to their advantage considering the interest rate and number of countries involved. The world bank stands to gain even more should the countries default in payment due to our continents rich natural resources. BACS191208
In my opinion, the educational system in Ghana is very terrible. This is because, students are often made to reproduce what is taught in class. Failure to do so, is usually the end of the student. Then again, teachers, tutors and lecturers make it worse by putting so much pressure on the students instead of bringing out the best in them. It is difficult to combine work and academia, and more so if you are a wife and a mother. I also believe a lot needs to be done in terms of content so that we can learn not only for academic purposes, but also for practical reasons.
The negotiation skills of the average African leader has not been the best. We have witness many situations where the African leader has failed to properly negotiate deals that favours the African. For instance, reports suggest that the AMERI power deal between Ghana and UAE-based AMERI energy was poor negotiated between 2014 and 2015.
Again, Ghana's Defence Cooperation Agreement with the United States was poorly negotiated. While other countries who have signed similar agreements with the US negotiated better terms, the terms agreed in the controversial agreement involving Ghana makes it of low quality.
Furthermore, The Africa Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP) criticized the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) for not having the interest of Ghanaians at heart in the signing of the US$7 billion integrated oil and gas development agreement in the Sankofa-Gye-Nyame Fields.
ACEP's analysis of the terms and conditions of the Agreements and Term Sheets show that the deal is fraught with badly negotiated terms, and at most serving the interest of the Contractors rather than Ghana’s.
The above examples demonstrates how weak the African leader is with regards to negotiations. And until African leaders master the act of negotiation and begin to stand up to the parties they are negotiating with in order to stop providing inequitable terms and conditions, Africa will continue to lose and its citizens suffer more.
I agree with Mabel at her last point that learning at the classroom should have positive correlation to our local setting to be able to practise what you were taught. BACS 191051
My accession after class last weekend made me realize that development of the African can only be championed by Africans. This is so because we were surviving long before all these development goals came about and unfortunately it rather making us poorer by the day. In order to develop us Africans we need to go back to our traditional ways and with the help of these international bodies we could improve on these traditions our fore fathers were using as survival tactics. We need to draw a hard and constructive bargain when it comes to making deals with theses foreigners. Research into our old practices that were helpful should be encouraged by the leaders. There should be better educational systems that would instigate researching into our kind of living and how to improve it. BACS191067
AFRICAN LEADERS MUST INSTILL GOOD EDUCATIONAL STRUCTURES TO OUR BENEFIT RATHER THAN GIVING PROMINENCE TO FOREIGN EDUCATION TO OUR DETRIMENT IN GROWTH AND SUSTAINABILITY.AFRICA MUST RISE UP TO THE TASK AS A COLLECTIVE INTEREST,BACS191018.
Until we realized it is our collective responsibility to develop our environment and nation, we will continue to be a continent of raw producing materials without industrialization. BACS191150
The World Bank is an initiative of and by the West. They will never come to Africa without a profiteering motive. Though they may show some signs to accentuate their desire to help,we must not be carried away not to realize the writings on the wall as well. They wouldn't want Africa to overtake them in terms of owning much power economically, and even politically.
The way Africans are themselves vis-a-vis the Europeans is pathetic. Until the African becomes free from the bondage and disease of mental slavery, development will apply be a mirage.
When it comes to the issue of education, Africa has a long way to go and Ghana most especially has so much to do. It baffles me when we still have to learn based on the British curriculum or other syllabuses that would not favor us as Ghanaian. We are so used to theoretical approach as compared to the practical one which in the end becomes useless when faced the reality in the job field. Where to start from is a problem but I believe we can start making these corrections for the generations to come, it definitely will take us years to accomplish but we will get there.
Africans educational system is very weak and most especially Ghana, the syllabus used in educating children were designed by the foreigner. Again the methodology been used in teaching is mostly theoretical, which doesn't help students to feet into the industries or job market Bacs19855
The world bank is an institution that help countries to deal with economic growth and development, but the support to Africa comes with a lot of conditions attached to it. They have no option than to accept, so that their wishes can to granted to them. Bacs19855
African countries,especially Ghana's system of education is very weak in the sense that, about 99℅ of whatever is been taught are based on theoretical approach without any form a practical lesson s which will aid students acquire requisit skill ready for the job market, resulting to very poor performance of individuals in their area of field work.
The education system in African, precisely Ghana follows western culture more than the local one...this inculcates western ideas into the minds of growing African children instead of appreciating and adding value to our culture. Also, the system mainly on the theorical aspect leaving out the practical aspect, this hinders the individual from exhibiting his/her skills for advanced training. More practical work in our education and the use of local languages in our schools for better understanding and communication can be an initiative to improve and develop our human resource in the continent
The world bank have their aims they wish to achieve in their deals in the long run they hunt us of what they gave us even in double folds ,African leaders must learn the habit of reading and deep thinking to scrutinize deals before accepting ,if we are able to think outside the box and look for innovative ways on how we could progress and develop with what we have then we will definitely make it,I believe we have our own pace that we could develop eventually than rather trying hard to meet the set mark of development
The educational system in Ghana really calls for much attention. A chew-pour-pass-and-forget system, which pushes students to strive get an "A" rather than gain knowledge and understanding. In the long run, when we enter the real world and reality dawns on many, such students majorly of that orientation are laid off overtime. Due to the fact that since they learnt to reproduce others thoughts during school, can't think on their feet in the event of real life problems. This needs serious addressing!
I believe that African need to start appreciating African culture and learn a bit from western culture without allowing it to influence them totally. Africa's history was written way before the whites came to colonize Africa. But over the years, we have allowed them to brainwash us with their own history of Africa and why we are not thriving whilst taking advantage of our rich cultural heritage knowledge,lands, gold and labour to enrich themselves at our own expense. I believe that this is the reason why Africa is still underdeveloped today...we are unable to in practicality apply the theory we have learnt in schools to develop our own countries...This is because we do not have the advanced structures, workshops, facilities,and technical know how to make that theorized method of doing things in Africa a practical one. This can be changed when we decide that we can develop our own African countries without allowing western countries to dictate to us or teach us what we need to do to be successful. The westerners like Africans have gotten to where they are today through thorough planning, high efficient use of labor and technical skills , knowledge and implementation. If there's something we can learn from them...its not how to be like them in terms of fashion, culture etc but we can take cues from them on how they prioritize their own countries above that of African countries whilst implementing their theories of what makes a successful country and portrays their country in a positive light. It all begins with a change in mindset and a plan to implement ideas that are good for economic growth, development and sustainability. I believe Africa will surely get there someday but we need to stop sitting on our butts and start working hard to ensure that our dreams and goals of making Africa a highly successful continent is achieved. BACS 19785
I believe that African need to start appreciating African culture and learn a bit from western culture without allowing it to influence them totally. Africa's history was written way before the whites came to colonize Africa. But over the years, we have allowed them to brainwash us with their own history of Africa and why we are not thriving whilst taking advantage of our rich cultural heritage knowledge,lands, gold and labour to enrich themselves at our own expense. I believe that this is the reason why Africa is still underdeveloped today...we are unable to in practicality apply the theory we have learnt in schools to develop our own countries...This is because we do not have the advanced structures, workshops, facilities,and technical know how to make that theorized method of doing things in Africa a practical one. This can be changed when we decide that we can develop our own African countries without allowing western countries to dictate to us or teach us what we need to do to be successful. The westerners like Africans have gotten to where they are today through thorough planning, high efficient use of labor and technical skills , knowledge and implementation. If there's something we can learn from them...its not how to be like them in terms of fashion, culture etc but we can take cues from them on how they prioritize their own countries above that of African countries whilst implementing their theories of what makes a successful country and portrays their country in a positive light. It all begins with a change in mindset and a plan to implement ideas that are good for economic growth, development and sustainability. I believe Africa will surely get there someday but we need to stop sitting on our butts and start working hard to ensure that our dreams and goals of making Africa a highly successful continent is achieved. BACS 19785
It has always been so. The problem has to do with how practicable the courses are. We tend to focus more on theoretical aspect than the application of the knowledge gain.
Students are always failed on the reasons of wrong grammar usage. How can Africa develop with such mentality.
But the fact also remains that we had some of the finest brains from Africa. Some have worked their entire life for this Britonwood institution but when given leadership mantle in Africa what happens?
Talk Julius Nyerere, Prof. Kwesi Botchwey and rest have propounded a lot of developmental concepts as captured in the "ujamma" book but have we utilised those things?
Bright Simons of Imani Ghana has one of the finest software application (Mpedigree) recognized worldwide but do we utilised it as we should?
The change and development of the African continent must first and foremost begin with ourselves as individuals.
We need to change what we teach our children's and family. We must let social capital and trust reign rather than pulling each other.
They never do anything without personal gains. Ghana's education does not reflect what we need in this country. Some of us till date do not know what we are to do with all the x we found. The whites currently look like a God to Africa. The metal slavery has not healed.
Development starts from the mind, if we keep thinking like slaves and running around with cups in our hands begging all the time,we will continue marking time. Thanks for this initiative Sir Christine BACS 19787
Our leaders are fully aware that our education system in its current is not the does not equip students with the skillset to solve the challenges facing but for some inexplicable reasons they are unwilling to change the system.
BACS19257 1WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF EDUCATION IN AFRICA? Outcomes in educational efforts in Africa have until recently, been disappointing for many reasons. There are the issue of inadequate or the total lack infrastructure. This refers to classrooms, furniture and access, that is all year-round roads. About 60% of the total population of sub-saharan Africancountries are rural, some of them remote with only footpaths or, better, with tracks without bridges. School buildings are usually made up of mud-walls roofed with thatches. Often, they lack chairs and tables. Worse still, is the lack of teachers, even untrained pupil teachers. This is followed by the lack of teaching and learning tools. I think with visionary political leadership, rapid educational development will result in accelerated social and economic development of Africa within the next 20 to 30 years.
BACS19257 2 IS THE WORLD BANK READY TO DEVELOP AFRICA? Yes! The World Bank and other Britton-Wood institutions like the international Monetary Fund learned from and are encouraged by how American capital had helped West Germany to rebuild from from the devastating and rubbles of the second world war, through the Marshal plan. Unfortunately, Africa as a whole lacks, although rich in diverse natural resources, lacks the human resources base to replicate the German enterprise. The high rate of illiteracy at independence just before and from 1960 meant that newly independent African countries did not have adequate indigenous civil and public servants to run government and private businesses. The free grants and aids from advanced foreign countries are lost in a large part in a corruption. When African countries have transparent and accountable government led by honest, selfless, and visionary political leaders, the benefits will trickle down to the poorest of the poor through welfare benefits.
BACS19257 CAN AFRICA USE IT'S INDEGENOUS METHODS TO BRING ABOUT DEVELOPMENT IN THIS AGE AND TIME? By indigenous methods of producing goods and services, the mind goes to such methods as slash- and- burn methods of farming of which are bush-fallow and as the population of the community grows, pressure on local land - use compels shifting cultivation. These indigenous farming methods do not use fertilzers slowing the natural regeneration which ideally takes 140 years. Our indigenous herbal medicine, although has the power to cure, does not involve scientific measurement and timing. IT is not also administered according to age or body mass index, BMX. Thus, instead of curing, sometimes they kill.
BACS19257 WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF AFRICAN LEADERS AND NEGOTIATIONS FOR DEALS .
the ability of African leaders to negotiate for fair deals is undermined by incompetence, raw materials export and corruption . Africa lags behind in development owning to many critical factors including skills owing to low levels of literacy. Many government functionaries at independence were semi-literate they thus depended on foreign experts who could not be trusted to have the nation at heart. Today state of affairs is now changing for the better. Many civil servants hold university degrees and post-graduate degrees in various subjects including political science, international relations and law, which should equip them to do a better job in negotiating deals .
Education in Africa needs to change. We have made studying too much of theory. It's hard time we practicalised our learning. That will help us in producing the things we consume. BACS191090
AFRICA IS BLESSED WITH SO MUCH RICH RESOURCES BUT IS VERY UNFORTUNATE OUR LEADERS ARE NOT ABLE TO DEFEND THEMSELVES WHEN GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY AT THE INTERNATIONAL FRONT DURING NEGOTIATIONS AMONGST OTHERS IS VERY PATHETIC. BACS191018
Averred the video, our education system is largely modeled after that of the west. The speaker alludes to many indoctrinations that she had to swallow as a student all because they didn't have any curriculum that exposes her to the many inspiring stories of Africa This curriculum of our education system , practically insults African I many instances for instance she mentions the Niger River's story which according to the education she benefited from was a discovery of by a Scottish. She asked how and what could her great grand parents be doing if they didn't notice this river under their noses But clearly, it points to the gradual indoctrinations and inferiority complex injected by our education tailored after the west
I humbly disagree with those who say the World Bank is not ready to develop Africa. The world Bank is ready to develop Africa but not as a Father Christmas Let me give an analogy :
The speaker in the TEDX presentation is an African but she got employment. However whether she is exploited ie earns a less pay and manhandled at work depends on her output , ideologies , investments in herself as an asset and the belief she has in herself to be equally paid as the other whites under the world bank group
Practically speaking of the video, she even said she paid a party to a deal signed between the world bank and other Africans. She said her brothers and sisters who were representing her country did little scrutiny and were rather in hurry to sign
Comes back to my point : the world bank believes no country is island and thus they just help the entire community grow to alleviate poverty et al but they will also make sure they get something in return. We have to make sure we get the best deals out of these intentions since other nations have done that
Yes Africa can use its indigenous knowledge and local methods to develop
In view of the video , she cited the Tassa technology of irrigation. which proved to be the best to its western counterpart established by science. This is our pride and a comparative advantage we have as a continent and we need factor that in our development pace
Mimicking the modus of development according to the West is like betraying our identity. Development must be tailored towards our peculiar problems and that means factoring in our traditional functionaries, hence a moral economy
I partly answered this in the 2nd question. Some of our leaders have failed in this regard. Timidity , I'll preparedness and intimidation have engulfed some
The TEDXer cited the example of seeing some leaders sign documents with little scrutiny
We are suffering as African's because our leaders have failed us as a country. The BigManism nature of African leaders is what is causing our down fall as a country and retarding our development process. If our leaders will have the interest of Ghanaians at heart and do not always sign contracts without critically analysing the contents of documents, then, we can also proudly brag that we are matching towards development-BACS19518
In my opinion,authentic human development is not just economic development. Advances in wealth for individuals or nations do not necessarily reflect full development. Authentic human development is social, cultural and political as well as economic. It involves developing one's skills and gifts for service to the common good. BACS191199
Thank you sir. The material is very insightful. All the same i don't think the whites want anything good for Africans and the education system in Africa needs to change.
The rise of globalisation has presented a platform where there can be an integration of cultures to enable in the development of every sector of a country. Unfortunately, due to the lackadaisical attitude of Africans, we've become comfortable with copying the ways of the westerners directly.Per education, we have inculcated the western curriculum into all aspects of education which has seen lots of the young generation suffering to grasp what they're taught in the various institutions. The world has developed in such a way that, no one country can solely depend on their resources and indigenous knowledge to develop their country. Africa cannot develop with their local methods ONLY as this can be unreliable sometimes due to the lack of technology. We can make an effort by integrating the western ways into our local methods. Africans can also work towards changing the narrative; where we see the whites as being inferior or superior to us. We should stop worshipping them and acting like they are more human. Our leaders shouldn't have to clam up when they're in negotiations with the whites.They should learn to speak up in favour of their countries. BACS 19269
What do you make of African leaders and negotiation deals?
Most African leaders look down on themselves, feel intimidated, place very little value on themselves and their knowledge. So in the end, they DON'T negotiate with international institutions like the World Bank. They just want to sign and get it over and done with.
Maybe they're afraid that by negotiating, they will loose the whole deal and most at times they're just in a hurry to probably get their share of the loans so they rush to sign deals for huge loans from the world bank increasing Africa's debt to the West.
With some of our African they get much ideas to do the right thing when out of power or public space. My interaction with some of them tells that there are solid ideas for the Ghana to be one of it best on the African countries in the world but due to some of the selfish leaders which claim to have Ghana at heart turns to be hypocrites and rather making money to government purses to make him or herself. Which make the country bs in shambolic. Accountability and due diligence of all heads of state must be dealt with as suppose. There it will make them make good deals for Ghana.
All we are interested in as African is for all our children to gain academic knowledge without any skill or training. our educational system is all about theoritical citations.....but on the field of work performance the score is low.
we should focus more also on informal skill aqusitions.
Very thought provoking material Sir. I believe the destiny of Africa lies largely in the hands of Africans and so together, we can made conscious and frantic efforts towards achieving that. BACS191038
With reference to the video, our education system is similar to that of the West. They teach us our way of doing things when we are supposed to be doing things our ways. We grow to become ambassadors of the West. The speaker alludes to many indoctrinations that she had to swallow as a student all because they didn't have any curriculum that exposes her to the many inspiring stories of Africa. The manner of our education system , practically insults Africans.
Again, Africa can use its indigenous knowledge and local methods to develop. Looking at the video ,the speaker cited the Tassa technology of irrigation which proved to be the best to its western counterpart established by science. We should be proud of that and embark on other projects as such to develop. If we’re to apply what the western terms as development then we are betraying our identity. Development must be sidelined towards our peculiar problems and that means factoring in our traditional functionaries, hence a moral economy for the benefit of Africa.
Lastly , the world bank is ready to develop Africa but not on free basis. We ought to take advantage of the opportunities given to us to develop ourselves as Africans but should bare in mind it come at a cost. It’s a give and take affair.
Africa or Ghana for that matter need to shift from "theory education" to practical acquisition of skills in all educational level in order to solve our problems. In that way, development will be felt by every individual.
With reference to african leaders and negotiating deals, I don't think they do the best of job. Most of them don't believe in themselves and have the confidence to face these Westerners who offer the deals. They feel everything they have to offer us is in our best interest, which isn't. Our leaders I think also feel should they argue it out, they may end up losing the whole deal in the process.
Africa has a very long way to go. We need to go back to our roots and pick up some very important lifestyles we abandoned in the face of globalization.
I believe development is all about your mind set regarding any issues at all and globalization is to help the less developed to get up to standard. Development is meant to help the less developed so they should benefit them the more. Therefore, if an aid takes that fact away, then obviously that is not meant for the person for which it was purposed to benefit therefore the aid must be rejected. I also think if the conditions attached to an aid seems unrealistic and unpractical, our leaders should be BOLD enough to negotiate for better conditions or tend down the aid IF THEIR PERSPECTIVES ARE NOT BEING ADHERED TO.
Our thinking as individual and nations must be geared towards globalization and development. It is only then that, we can compete with other developed countries BACS191059
Development is a term which has been defined by various scholars from different perspective. To understand development, a communicator must drawn the line between political, economic and intellectual definition of the term "development". Nonetheless, the Marshall project was initially labelled as a development plan however this does not explicitly produce an all-round growth pattern.
Development should be measured by the progress of the problems which are being prioritized.
I agree with Omaro and Mabel on their points above. We must practice what is been taught so that we can much towardso development. Thank you sir bacs191284
Africans have spent far too much time under mental slavery and intimidation. it may or may not be true that Africa could have developed on it own without European intrusion. what ever be the case, i believe it is time Africans stop the blame game and take full advantage of the knowledge and infrastructure laid down by the westerners while fusing it with our indigenous knowledge to develop. BACS19458
African Leaders should start educating most people by making education quite cheap. The educational system should focus on the practical aspect than the theory. One of the dimensions of the Human Development Index is illiteracy. The more the people are educated, the more the people become inventive and conscious of their life. This will help Africans to come up with measures that will help them solve most of our problems.
African Leaders should start educating most people by making education quite cheap. The educational system should focus on the practical aspect than the theory. One of the dimensions of the Human Development Index is illiteracy. The more the people are educated, the more the people become inventive and conscious of their life. This will help Africans to come up with measures that will help them solve most of our problems.
In this case study, Education in Africa is westernised with less focus on building and developing our indigenous knowledge and skills. We learn by using their language using their style of education which may not in all cases be the best in our situation as Africans.
Secondly, the world Bank seek to satisfy their own interests by offering mouth-watering deals as baits to Africans.
Africans can learn to advance their indigenous knowledge and skills to bring about development. But first as starters, we must learn to place values on our History, Culture and Practices.
Lastly,I wonder if the fact that Africans leaders have little to offer the international world is the truth. Contrary to the fact, Africa has so much to offer the international market but our Leaders would rather not to voice out. Unfortunately, African leaders choose to satisfy their own selfish ambitions at the expense of their people's welfare.
Present education system in Africa is not sufficient. With reference to the video, it is obvious that western models and standards still continue to dominate African education due to colonization. African institutions make use of Eurocentric curriculums with almost no connection to life in Africa. It is mainly based on the theoretical knowledge rather than practical knowledge making lecture or teaching method monotonous. Our educational system teaches it student lessons from books, but not lessons from life. It provides them with knowledge but not equip them with skills or to some extent wisdom. There is no motivation to do ‘practical’ research because everything is examination and white collar jobs oriented thus, students do not find the need to create jobs for themselves and others.
Our educational system according to Dr. Annie basant is just “Filling students head with lot of disjointed facts poured into the heads as into a basket; to be emptied out again in examination hall and empty basket carried out again into the world.” This affirms why an African student will pass a classroom examination but will fail life’s examination.
Yes, the World Bank being an international financial institution that provides loans to countries of the world for capital projects appears ready to develop Africa considering the fact that they give out loans for development. But for self-centered and corrupt leaders who misuse the loans make it appear the World Bank is not ready to develop Africa. Terms and conditions apply in all transactions thus condemning the World Bank for their terms and conditions is not justifiable enough.
However, if African leaders would not be corrupt, self-centered and feel intimidated, better deals can be negotiated for development and it will be evident enough that the World Bank is assisting in the development of Africa.
CAN AFRICA USE ITS INDEGENOUS METHODS TO BRING ABOUT DEVELOPMENT IN THIS AGE AND TIME?
Of course in this contemporary time Africa can use its indigenous knowledge and methods to develop through practical education and knowledge about Africa. If Africans know all about themselves and have practical education devoid of western culture, they would appreciate their skills and their indigenous methods to develop.
The speaker made mention of the Tassa technology of irrigation which happens to be the best as compared to that of World Bank technique and that of the Gacaca community based judicial system which is evident enough.
WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF AFRICAN LEADERS AND NEGOTIATIONS FOR DEALS?
Considering the fact that most African leaders are highly educated, they are expected to exhibit some level of expertise in negotiating deals. Aside being intimidated as the speaker said, most African leaders become politically motivated, myopic and shortsighted, inward looking, corrupt, self-centered and greedy. Therefore deals negotiated do not in totality benefit Africans.
The development project has done more harm than good to the third World countries. Africans' indigenous means would have developed the continent better that the universal natural untentious and the like...BACS29848
The irony about these whole IMF thing which some seem not to know is that, banks exist to make profit hence, IMF isn't an exception. The IMF helps countries with the sole aim of making profit so if countries sit at the negotiation table to make their case, they need to think about the tendency of their countries being crippled by the decision make. They should have it in mind that, they aren't being helped as has always been the case but rather being motivated by some dubious interests. Product financial decision by leaders on behalf of their countries will go a long way to disentangle their citizens from the shackles of the oppressor BACS191218
Question 1 The education of Africa specifically speaking, the education of Ghana is more theoretical than practical especially in Science and ICT. We have loaded syllabi with subjects like trigonometry and surds in Core maths that are not really relevant for us but we spend time chewing and pouring even if we don't understand. There are less practical experiences and opportunities in our educational system and even worse in the rural areas (inadequate or none at all). It's even more unfair to write examinations (BECE and WASSCE) throughout the the country when the resources (teachers and teaching/educational materials) are unevenly distributed. In my opinion the education system of Ghana is biased. It favours the privileged leaving the rest to struggle. BACS 19662
Question 2 In my opinion, the World Bank is not ready to develop Africa because they aren't ready to feel or see themselves as co-equals. They want Africa to keep depending on them so that they (World Bank) can dictate to Africa what to do and how to do because if Africa realizes the potential it has to depend on itself once it unites, it would be greater than the IMF and other similar institutions. They make us feel like we can't depend on our own human and material resources to sustain our country. The World Bank is only pretending to help Africa while enslaving us in a more professional way because there is no free lunch. BACS 19662
Question 3 Africa can use its indigenous methods to bring about development depending on the problem or situation that requires these methods but to some extent. I think indigenous methods can be used with new technology because they are faster and more productive to boost the development process. BACS 19662
Question 4 Personally, most but not all African leaders are lazy and selfish when it comes to negotiating for deals. They are unprepared and only care about their pocket, their family members(nepotism) and friends(cronyism) especially with contracts concerning the development of the country. They hardly read through thoroughly the contracts to be able to suggest things that would benefit us and the country at large. They can't even insist on things that won't favour the country to be scrapped out because they would lose money to squander. BACS 19662
Development is a process that creates growth and brings about positive change in different demographic sectors.The concept of development entails all diverse realms from economic,technology,finance to culture,information and governance.The question we all need to ask ourselves is that,is development sustainable?Sustainable development is defined as development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Development in my opinion can be sustained but certain measures need to be inculcated for this to be achieved and such measures include increased productivity,ensuring a sustainable level of population,meeting essential jobs,food,energy,water and sanitation,reorienting technology and managing risk,building strong institutions of governance,supporting rule of government. When these measures are implemented,they will go a long way to challenge certain factors that inhibit sustainable development such as poverty,unemployment,climate change,conflict and many others. BACS19203
BACS19005 Development is a planned process and not an event. Therefore bit by bit structures are needed to make a country great. every aspect of our Ghanaian community must have a development plan. That people will see as a shaping mark for the growth of the community. There should be technological, economic , cultural, social, educational, and political structures to help in the development process.
The educational system in Africa is such that we are thought to go to school,get good grades so you can get a good job.We are not thought to think for ourselves but to follow rules. Bacs19057
What will be the essence of education if one cannot display skillfully about what they were taught outside their various institution ?
We've found ourselves in a continent where our education system is such that, we only study to produce theoretical knowledge just to attain good grades. Our institutions are more of theory based than practice and this is something that is impeding some African countries from development.
Our leaders need to structure not only our education system but economic , social,political ,cultural and all aspects that counts, as far as development is concerned in a way that will aid in the process of development in the African continent.
Ghanaian educational system needs some reforms.We should move from our chew ,pour and forget attitude and learn instead of memorizing lines and paragraphs for examination purposes.Education as a driving force of nations should not be so but betther .
Ghanaian educational system needs some reforms.We should move from our chew ,pour and forget attitude and learn instead of memorizing lines and paragraphs for examination purposes.Education as a driving force of nations should not be so but betther .
The globalized world sometimes if not always sweeps away regulation and undermines local and national politics, just as the consolidation of the nation state swept away local economies, dialects, cultures and political forms.
BACS 19005 For me culture is the main reason why Africa is still underdeveloped. we haven't been able to wean ourselves from foreign culture which we have planted in every aspect our our lives. From politics to education to the economy and even our societal structures are not exempted. That is why we will always fall victims to foreign donors and all the conditions they will set for us.
In my opinion, education system in Ghana is terrible were there's more theoretical system of teaching to practical, we need a change to enable progress BACS19693
Education in Africa Ghana to be precise is very poor in a sense that, teachers and lecturers expect students to reproduce what they have taught them. thus to chew and poor exactly what is in their note or pamphlet and this kind of method does not help the students to produce something unique from their thought out of what they have been taught in school.Hence that is why when they become leaders, they can not produce something significant to help develop the country. All they do is to quote and quote and quote. If this way of teaching continues, we can never have good leaders and individuals who can think critically and bring out concrete solutions to solve problems in Ghana.
Education in Africa, can be thought of today as an imported process. Across the continent, the academic curricula are skewed towards Western influenced information or in most cases than not, is absolutely Western with little or no regard for the vast wealth of knowledge available in African history, literature and culture. Per surface value, the situation does not seem to be one with dire consequences because if individuals are gaining knowledge regardless of the source, they would still be considered ‘knowledgeable’ at the end of the day regardless of the source of this knowledge. Unfortunately for Africa, the situation is deeper than it looks. A phenomenon termed ‘identity crises’ as mentioned by Chika Ezeanya-Esiobu in her TEDX talk; is the price to pay among other dire consequences to be faced by Africans. For example, priority is given to the study of the English language in previous British colonies with less attention being paid to the equally important study of the indigenous languages of the African people. In this regard, a healthier culturally assimilative approach can be employed whereas the fundamental concepts and examples used in education do not come across as far fetched but rather, things which students can easily relate to. The letter ‘A’ could always stand for an item a lot more indigenous to the African people than Apple; which is fruit that does not even grow in Africa. The concepts to a large extent can be considered as imported as the fruits. Even the history of Africa taught in schools today is history written from the perspective of the then colonizers. It may be argued that there is insufficient literature to substantiate the history syllabus especially in African schools. However, Africans have been known to preserve their history and culture largely by oral tradition which constitutes songs, poems, stories and other elements of folklore that have survived the test of time and can still be studied today. Identity crises causes more stagnation in a people than meets the eye at first glance and people are more likely to stay confused about themselves and the things that surround them if their education does little to teach them about these.
The World Bank is largely considered an international sanctuary for all nations in terms of financial aid to fund development projects. Africa countries are not exempted from the financial aid available to nation states across the world to embark on the aforementioned development projects. The question as to whether the world bank is ready to develop Africa is a contentious one. Since its inception, African states have been indebted to the world bank which of course is headed by Western States with its headquarters located in Washington D.C. United states. The eventual appropriation of funds provided to African states by the world bank is determined by the world bank. This unfortunately goes contrary to the simplistic underpinning of post development thought which travels along the tangent of development being with, for and by the people themselves. The dealings of the World Bank with African states cannot be considered as equitable to that of their Western Counterparts as the debt of most Western countries for the most part is not as a result left over from colonial masters. The World Bank seems to be more concerned with making itself the best deals and consequently leaving African states to grapple with the accumulated debt years after the deals are brokered. Perhaps if the world bank did not have a strangle hold on the uses of the funds obtained from them by African states, the debt of these states would be cleared.
Though colonized for years, most Africans are still more intrinsically traditional than Westernized. Contrary to the belief that traditional methods of problem solving are obsolete, there are documented cases of successes chalked up by these practices. Among these are the Gacaca judicial system practiced in Rwanda and Tassa irrigation system in Niger. Contrary to Western Judicial models which mostly prioritize punitive action and incarceration, Gacaca is a community based judicial system which focuses more on reconciliation and reintegration. Its community-based nature, is reflective culture of the people it serves. This Judicial system was used after the genocide of 1994 in Rwanda and is documented to have concluded its trial in 2012 with 12,000 community-based courts having tried 1.2 million cases. It is unlikely that Rwanda would have been considered one of the fastest growing economies today if people were still engaged with the heavily bureaucratic Western Judicial systems with the prospect of being jailed after proceedings. In Niger, a country which is 75% scorched Dessert, the indigenes employ the Tassa traditional irrigation system which involves building of a damn around a plot of land and having plants draw as much collected rain water as they need from the water source. Experiments have shown Tassa to be more efficient in this region, than other irrigation systems. The methods elaborated on here may be old, but their success rates certainly suggest that they presently foster development for the people they serve, better than imported methods.
African leaders have long been criticised for their passive demeanour in negotiations and signing of deals. This seems to be reflective in the relatively slow development rates recorded in recent years. This to a large extent is true however, other factors make it somewhat understandable, the behaviour of African leaders when the broker these deals with organisations such as the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. As previously mentioned, African states inherited the debts of their colonial masters and have always been disadvantaged post-colonial era. African leaders are not entirely to blame for non-beneficial deals being signed onto by African states. The sectors of development that are deemed necessary for the development of Africa are normally predetermined with heavy laden payback conditions. In a bid to meet international standards of development, African leaders seem to be left with no choice but to accept these deals as they are presented to them by their creditors who they are already heavily indebted to. Unfortunately, African leaders fail to see the opportunity cost inherent in most of these deals. Recently in Ghana, a deal to have Chinese state-owned company ‘Sinohydro’ mine bauxite in Ghana was entered into by the Ghanaian government to make up for a near US$30 billion infrastructural deficit. Per surface value, the deal seems like a win-win situation for both parties. However, the implications of this deal especially its environmentally, foretell counter development for the Ghanaian people. The Atewa Forest reserve located in the Eastern Region of Ghana provides water to over 5million Ghanaians and houses a huge ecosystem. Apart from the mining activities in this area posing a threat to the water supply of approximately five million Ghanaians, the activities of the miners will most likely disrupt the ecological state of the region and his could have dire consequences on the climatic conditions of the area. African leaders being somewhat assertive could prevent such one-sided deals from being signed however, the bargaining chips of African leaders seem to have been long lost over time.
The stuctures are not being put in place for young people to have a better education. I agree that theories are good but it's going to be better if we praticalize our teaching and learning to foster development. BACS19011
African Leaders must learn how to negotiate properly and negotiate for the interest of the people. Negotiations by African leaders are not transparent and also underlined with corruption. I believe the state of Africa now is partly due to the lack of negotiation skills of leaders. Our leaders continue to fail us, and it makes it difficult to identify whether the leaders do have the interest of the people at heart.
African governance is characterised by the adage "new king new laws, where leaders feel too big to continue with any good project started by a past government and so at the end of the day there are numerous unfinished projects surrounding us and these projects only consume huge aspects of our resources without contributing anything in return to the economy. More importantly, politicization of the educational system where educational policies and structures changes under successive governments without them considering the effects it will have on education and the country as a whole.
Regarding colonialism, globalisation is so because countries that are more globalized are affected by less developed countries with cultural adaptations. In education media, there is the spread of cultural power in all institutions.(Being it political, economical or social)
117 comments:
Thank you very much Sir .
BACS19473
Thank you very much sir.
Bacs19428
Education in (Ghana) Africa is more theoretical than practical and we are been thought think and act in a way that put the Western world on top of the economic chain, making them our superiors.
BACS191015
Concerning the issue of whether the world bank is ready to develop Africa or not is a matter of understand what an institution that is a bank stands for. I think a is and will never be an NGO and for that matter will always aim at making profit, therefore with regards to the whether or not they are helping or not comes to mind what they stand to gain.
The billion dollar question is who gains more... The countries they claim to support or them??
Materials received with thanks. Looking forward to more eye opening sessions in the globalization class.
BACS19371
Thank you sir, very innovative way to study.
BACS 19798
The educational system or standard in Africa, let me say specifically the West African countries are very poor and at the same time demands a lot from pupils and students than it should be.
Private and Public schools teach their students with different curricula and expect that they all write same exams at end of the day. Which is totally out place in my opinion.
BACS19453
I believe the world bank wants to develop Africa. Most African countries are underdeveloped and as such creates the opportunity for the world bank to invest in the continent. The long term goal of every bank is to make interest, considering the number of underdeveloped countries in Africa it would be to their advantage considering the interest rate and number of countries involved. The world bank stands to gain even more should the countries default in payment due to our continents rich natural resources.
BACS191208
Thank you very much Sir
BACS 19417
In my opinion, the educational system in Ghana is very terrible. This is because, students are often made to reproduce what is taught in class. Failure to do so, is usually the end of the student.
Then again, teachers, tutors and lecturers make it worse by putting so much pressure on the students instead of bringing out the best in them. It is difficult to combine work and academia, and more so if you are a wife and a mother.
I also believe a lot needs to be done in terms of content so that we can learn not only for academic purposes, but also for practical reasons.
BACS191177
The negotiation skills of the average African leader has not been the best. We have witness many situations where the African leader has failed to properly negotiate deals that favours the African. For instance, reports suggest that the AMERI power deal between Ghana and UAE-based AMERI energy was poor negotiated between 2014 and 2015.
Again, Ghana's Defence Cooperation Agreement with the United States was poorly negotiated. While other countries who have signed similar agreements with the US negotiated better terms, the terms agreed in the controversial agreement involving Ghana makes it of low quality.
Furthermore, The Africa Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP) criticized the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) for not having the interest of Ghanaians at heart in the signing of the US$7 billion integrated oil and gas development agreement in the Sankofa-Gye-Nyame Fields.
ACEP's analysis of the terms and conditions of the Agreements and Term Sheets show that the deal is fraught with badly negotiated terms, and at most serving the interest of the Contractors rather than Ghana’s.
The above examples demonstrates how weak the African leader is with regards to negotiations. And until African leaders master the act of negotiation and begin to stand up to the parties they are negotiating with in order to stop providing inequitable terms and conditions, Africa will continue to lose and its citizens suffer more.
BACS 19760
I agree with Mabel at her last point that learning at the classroom should have positive correlation to our local setting to be able to practise what you were taught.
BACS 191051
My accession after class last weekend made me realize that development of the African can only be championed by Africans. This is so because we were surviving long before all these development goals came about and unfortunately it rather making us poorer by the day.
In order to develop us Africans we need to go back to our traditional ways and with the help of these international bodies we could improve on these traditions our fore fathers were using as survival tactics. We need to draw a hard and constructive bargain when it comes to making deals with theses foreigners. Research into our old practices that were helpful should be encouraged by the leaders. There should be better educational systems that would instigate researching into our kind of living and how to improve it.
BACS191067
Thank you
BACS191117
AFRICAN LEADERS MUST INSTILL GOOD EDUCATIONAL STRUCTURES TO OUR BENEFIT RATHER THAN GIVING PROMINENCE TO FOREIGN EDUCATION TO OUR DETRIMENT IN GROWTH AND SUSTAINABILITY.AFRICA MUST RISE UP TO THE TASK AS A COLLECTIVE INTEREST,BACS191018.
Until we realized it is our collective responsibility to develop our environment and nation, we will continue to be a continent of raw producing materials without industrialization.
BACS191150
Wow!
The World Bank is an initiative of and by the West. They will never come to Africa without a profiteering motive. Though they may show some signs to accentuate their desire to help,we must not be carried away not to realize the writings on the wall as well. They wouldn't want Africa to overtake them in terms of owning much power economically, and even politically.
The way Africans are themselves vis-a-vis the Europeans is pathetic. Until the African becomes free from the bondage and disease of mental slavery, development will apply be a mirage.
BACS 19141
*only be*
So how can Africans be Free for these people.
Do you have any plan?
BACS 19238
When it comes to the issue of education, Africa has a long way to go and Ghana most especially has so much to do. It baffles me when we still have to learn based on the British curriculum or other syllabuses that would not favor us as Ghanaian. We are so used to theoretical approach as compared to the practical one which in the end becomes useless when faced the reality in the job field. Where to start from is a problem but I believe we can start making these corrections for the generations to come, it definitely will take us years to accomplish but we will get there.
Grace A. Forson - BACS191185
Africans educational system is very weak and most especially Ghana, the syllabus used in educating children were designed by the foreigner. Again the methodology been used in teaching is mostly theoretical, which doesn't help students to feet into the industries or job market
Bacs19855
The world bank is an institution that help countries to deal with economic growth and development, but the support to Africa comes with a lot of conditions attached to it. They have no option than to accept, so that their wishes can to granted to them.
Bacs19855
African countries,especially Ghana's system of education is very weak in the sense that, about 99℅ of whatever is been taught are based on theoretical approach without any form a practical lesson s which will aid students acquire requisit skill ready for the job market, resulting to very poor performance of individuals in their area of field work.
BACS19788
Thank you Sir
BACS19444
The education system in African, precisely Ghana follows western culture more than the local one...this inculcates western ideas into the minds of growing African children instead of appreciating and adding value to our culture. Also, the system mainly on the theorical aspect leaving out the practical aspect, this hinders the individual from exhibiting his/her skills for advanced training. More practical work in our education and the use of local languages in our schools for better understanding and communication can be an initiative to improve and develop our human resource in the continent
BACS19702
Thanks
BACS19826
This is very useful to modern journalism and in education.. ofcourse it is helpful and will be helpful in the near future as well.
Bacs19572
The world bank have their aims they wish to achieve in their deals in the long run they hunt us of what they gave us even in double folds ,African leaders must learn the habit of reading and deep thinking to scrutinize deals before accepting ,if we are able to think outside the box and look for innovative ways on how we could progress and develop with what we have then we will definitely make it,I believe we have our own pace that we could develop eventually than rather trying hard to meet the set mark of development
BACS 19498
The educational system in Ghana really calls for much attention. A chew-pour-pass-and-forget system, which pushes students to strive get an "A" rather than gain knowledge and understanding. In the long run, when we enter the real world and reality dawns on many, such students majorly of that orientation are laid off overtime. Due to the fact that since they learnt to reproduce others thoughts during school, can't think on their feet in the event of real life problems. This needs serious addressing!
BACS19444
I believe that African need to start appreciating African culture and learn a bit from western culture without allowing it to influence them totally. Africa's history was written way before the whites came to colonize Africa. But over the years, we have allowed them to brainwash us with their own history of Africa and why we are not thriving whilst taking advantage of our rich cultural heritage knowledge,lands, gold and labour to enrich themselves at our own expense. I believe that this is the reason why Africa is still underdeveloped today...we are unable to in practicality apply the theory we have learnt in schools to develop our own countries...This is because we do not have the advanced structures, workshops, facilities,and technical know how to make that theorized method of doing things in Africa a practical one. This can be changed when we decide that we can develop our own African countries without allowing western countries to dictate to us or teach us what we need to do to be successful. The westerners like Africans have gotten to where they are today through thorough planning, high efficient use of labor and technical skills , knowledge and implementation. If there's something we can learn from them...its not how to be like them in terms of fashion, culture etc but we can take cues from them on how they prioritize their own countries above that of African countries whilst implementing their theories of what makes a successful country and portrays their country in a positive light. It all begins with a change in mindset and a plan to implement ideas that are good for economic growth, development and sustainability. I believe Africa will surely get there someday but we need to stop sitting on our butts and start working hard to ensure that our dreams and goals of making Africa a highly successful continent is achieved.
BACS 19785
I believe that African need to start appreciating African culture and learn a bit from western culture without allowing it to influence them totally. Africa's history was written way before the whites came to colonize Africa. But over the years, we have allowed them to brainwash us with their own history of Africa and why we are not thriving whilst taking advantage of our rich cultural heritage knowledge,lands, gold and labour to enrich themselves at our own expense. I believe that this is the reason why Africa is still underdeveloped today...we are unable to in practicality apply the theory we have learnt in schools to develop our own countries...This is because we do not have the advanced structures, workshops, facilities,and technical know how to make that theorized method of doing things in Africa a practical one. This can be changed when we decide that we can develop our own African countries without allowing western countries to dictate to us or teach us what we need to do to be successful. The westerners like Africans have gotten to where they are today through thorough planning, high efficient use of labor and technical skills , knowledge and implementation. If there's something we can learn from them...its not how to be like them in terms of fashion, culture etc but we can take cues from them on how they prioritize their own countries above that of African countries whilst implementing their theories of what makes a successful country and portrays their country in a positive light. It all begins with a change in mindset and a plan to implement ideas that are good for economic growth, development and sustainability. I believe Africa will surely get there someday but we need to stop sitting on our butts and start working hard to ensure that our dreams and goals of making Africa a highly successful continent is achieved.
BACS 19785
Thanks
BACS19826
It has always been so. The problem has to do with how practicable the courses are. We tend to focus more on theoretical aspect than the application of the knowledge gain.
Students are always failed on the reasons of wrong grammar usage. How can Africa develop with such mentality.
BACS 19961
Agreed!
But the fact also remains that we had some of the finest brains from Africa. Some have worked their entire life for this Britonwood institution but when given leadership mantle in Africa what happens?
Talk Julius Nyerere, Prof. Kwesi Botchwey and rest have propounded a lot of developmental concepts as captured in the "ujamma" book but have we utilised those things?
Bright Simons of Imani Ghana has one of the finest software application (Mpedigree) recognized worldwide but do we utilised it as we should?
The change and development of the African continent must first and foremost begin with ourselves as individuals.
We need to change what we teach our children's and family. We must let social capital and trust reign rather than pulling each other.
Thank you
Goldman Awuku Dodzi- BACS19961
They never do anything without personal gains. Ghana's education does not reflect what we need in this country. Some of us till date do not know what we are to do with all the x we found. The whites currently look like a God to Africa. The metal slavery has not healed.
BACS 19025
And it's so unfortunate our leaders can't do without the loans because of their selfish gain.
BACS 19787
Development starts from the mind, if we keep thinking like slaves and running around with cups in our hands begging all the time,we will continue marking time. Thanks for this initiative Sir
Christine BACS 19787
Through globalization Africans has develop in relationship with others international countries in terms of trade ,sports among others.
Bacs19900
Our leaders are fully aware that our education system in its current is not the does not equip students with the skillset to solve the challenges facing but for some inexplicable reasons they are unwilling to change the system.
BACS19853
BACS19257
1WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF EDUCATION IN AFRICA?
Outcomes in educational efforts in Africa have until recently, been disappointing for many reasons. There are the issue of inadequate or the total lack infrastructure. This refers to classrooms, furniture and access, that is all year-round roads. About 60% of the total population of sub-saharan Africancountries are rural, some of them remote with only footpaths or, better, with tracks without bridges. School buildings are usually made up of mud-walls roofed with thatches. Often, they lack chairs and tables. Worse still, is the lack of teachers, even untrained pupil teachers. This is followed by the lack of teaching and learning tools. I think with visionary political leadership, rapid educational development will result in accelerated social and economic development of Africa within the next 20 to 30 years.
BACS19257
2 IS THE WORLD BANK READY TO DEVELOP AFRICA?
Yes! The World Bank and other Britton-Wood institutions like the international Monetary Fund learned from and are encouraged by how American capital had helped West Germany to rebuild from from the devastating and rubbles of the second world war, through the Marshal plan.
Unfortunately, Africa as a whole lacks, although rich in diverse natural resources, lacks the human resources base to replicate the German enterprise. The high rate of illiteracy at independence just before and from 1960 meant that newly independent African countries did not have adequate indigenous civil and public servants to run government and private businesses. The free grants and aids from advanced foreign countries are lost in a large part in a corruption. When African countries have transparent and accountable government led by honest, selfless, and visionary political leaders, the benefits will trickle down to the poorest of the poor through welfare benefits.
BACS19257
CAN AFRICA USE IT'S INDEGENOUS METHODS TO BRING ABOUT DEVELOPMENT IN THIS AGE AND TIME?
By indigenous methods of producing goods and services, the mind goes to such methods as slash- and- burn methods of farming of which are bush-fallow and as the population of the community grows, pressure on local land - use compels shifting cultivation. These indigenous farming methods do not use fertilzers slowing the natural regeneration which ideally takes 140 years.
Our indigenous herbal medicine, although has the power to cure, does not involve scientific measurement and timing. IT is not also administered according to age or body mass index, BMX. Thus, instead of curing, sometimes they kill.
BACS19257
WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF AFRICAN LEADERS AND NEGOTIATIONS FOR DEALS .
the ability of African leaders to negotiate for fair deals is undermined by incompetence, raw materials export and corruption .
Africa lags behind in development owning to many critical factors including skills owing to low levels of literacy. Many government functionaries at independence were semi-literate they thus depended on foreign experts who could not be trusted to have the nation at heart.
Today state of affairs is now changing for the better. Many civil servants hold university degrees and post-graduate degrees in various subjects including political science, international relations and law, which should equip them to do a better job in negotiating deals .
I don't know if I will ever be convinced that,whites wants anything good for Africa.
Bacs191274
I believe we have to help ourselves. BACS191090
Education in Africa needs to change. We have made studying too much of theory.
It's hard time we practicalised our learning. That will help us in producing the things we consume. BACS191090
AFRICA IS BLESSED WITH SO MUCH RICH RESOURCES BUT IS VERY UNFORTUNATE OUR LEADERS ARE NOT ABLE TO DEFEND THEMSELVES WHEN GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY AT THE INTERNATIONAL FRONT DURING NEGOTIATIONS AMONGST OTHERS IS VERY PATHETIC. BACS191018
Question 1. KABU NARTEY, 19227
Averred the video, our education system is largely modeled after that of the west. The speaker alludes to many indoctrinations that she had to swallow as a student all because they didn't have any curriculum that exposes her to the many inspiring stories of Africa
This curriculum of our education system , practically insults African I many instances for instance she mentions the Niger River's story which according to the education she benefited from was a discovery of by a Scottish. She asked how and what could her great grand parents be doing if they didn't notice this river under their noses
But clearly, it points to the gradual indoctrinations and inferiority complex injected by our education tailored after the west
Question 2. KABU NARTEY, 19227
I humbly disagree with those who say the World Bank is not ready to develop Africa. The world Bank is ready to develop Africa but not as a Father Christmas
Let me give an analogy :
The speaker in the TEDX presentation is an African but she got employment. However whether she is exploited ie earns a less pay and manhandled at work depends on her output , ideologies , investments in herself as an asset and the belief she has in herself to be equally paid as the other whites under the world bank group
Practically speaking of the video, she even said she paid a party to a deal signed between the world bank and other Africans. She said her brothers and sisters who were representing her country did little scrutiny and were rather in hurry to sign
Comes back to my point : the world bank believes no country is island and thus they just help the entire community grow to alleviate poverty et al but they will also make sure they get something in return. We have to make sure we get the best deals out of these intentions since other nations have done that
Question 3. KABU NARTEY, 19227
Yes Africa can use its indigenous knowledge and local methods to develop
In view of the video , she cited the Tassa technology of irrigation. which proved to be the best to its western counterpart established by science. This is our pride and a comparative advantage we have as a continent and we need factor that in our development pace
Mimicking the modus of development according to the West is like betraying our identity. Development must be tailored towards our peculiar problems and that means factoring in our traditional functionaries, hence a moral economy
Question 4. KABU NARTEY, 19227
I partly answered this in the 2nd question. Some of our leaders have failed in this regard. Timidity , I'll preparedness and intimidation have engulfed some
The TEDXer cited the example of seeing some leaders sign documents with little scrutiny
We are suffering as African's because our leaders have failed us as a country. The BigManism nature of African leaders is what is causing our down fall as a country and retarding our development process. If our leaders will have the interest of Ghanaians at heart and do not always sign contracts without critically analysing the contents of documents, then, we can also proudly brag that we are matching towards development-BACS19518
The material is in deed educating
BACS 19320
The material is in deed educating
In my opinion,authentic human development is not just economic development. Advances in wealth for individuals or nations do not necessarily reflect full development. Authentic human development is social, cultural and political as well as economic. It involves developing one's skills and gifts for service to the common good.
BACS191199
Thanks very much. Its insightful and worthy emulating
BACS19786
Thank you sir. The material is very insightful. All the same i don't think the whites want anything good for Africans and the education system in Africa needs to change.
BACS191236
The rise of globalisation has presented a platform where there can be an integration of cultures to enable in the development of every sector of a country. Unfortunately, due to the lackadaisical attitude of Africans, we've become comfortable with copying the ways of the westerners directly.Per education, we have inculcated the western curriculum into all aspects of education which has seen lots of the young generation suffering to grasp what they're taught in the various institutions. The world has developed in such a way that, no one country can solely depend on their resources and indigenous knowledge to develop their country. Africa cannot develop with their local methods ONLY as this can be unreliable sometimes due to the lack of technology. We can make an effort by integrating the western ways into our local methods. Africans can also work towards changing the narrative; where we see the whites as being inferior or superior to us. We should stop worshipping them and acting like they are more human. Our leaders shouldn't have to clam up when they're in negotiations with the whites.They should learn to speak up in favour of their countries.
BACS 19269
Thank you sir for the reading material
Thank you sir for the reading material
BACS19235
What do you make of African leaders and negotiation deals?
Most African leaders look down on themselves, feel intimidated, place very little value on themselves and their knowledge. So in the end, they DON'T negotiate with international institutions like the World Bank. They just want to sign and get it over and done with.
Maybe they're afraid that by negotiating, they will loose the whole deal and most at times they're just in a hurry to probably get their share of the loans so they rush to sign deals for huge loans from the world bank increasing Africa's debt to the West.
BACS 19072
With some of our African they get much ideas to do the right thing when out of power or public space. My interaction with some of them tells that there are solid ideas for the Ghana to be one of it best on the African countries in the world but due to some of the selfish leaders which claim to have Ghana at heart turns to be hypocrites and rather making money to government purses to make him or herself.
Which make the country bs in shambolic.
Accountability and due diligence of all heads of state must be dealt with as suppose. There it will make them make good deals for Ghana.
BACS191206
All we are interested in as African is for all our children to gain academic knowledge without any skill or training. our educational system is all about theoritical citations.....but on the field of work performance the score is low.
we should focus more also on informal skill aqusitions.
BACS 19449
We have a long way to go.We must be ready to develop ourselves and stop copying blindly.
Akwaku Rejoice Mamle - BACS19930
Very thought provoking material Sir. I believe the destiny of Africa lies largely in the hands of Africans and so together, we can made conscious and frantic efforts towards achieving that.
BACS191038
With reference to the video, our education system is similar to that of the West. They teach us our way of doing things when we are supposed to be doing things our ways. We grow to become ambassadors of the West. The speaker alludes to many indoctrinations that she had to swallow as a student all because they didn't have any curriculum that exposes her to the many inspiring stories of Africa. The manner of our education system , practically insults Africans.
Again, Africa can use its indigenous knowledge and local methods to develop. Looking at the video ,the speaker cited the Tassa technology of irrigation which proved to be the best to its western counterpart established by science. We should be proud of that and embark on other projects as such to develop. If we’re to apply what the western terms as development then we are betraying our identity. Development must be sidelined towards our peculiar problems and that means factoring in our traditional functionaries, hence a moral economy for the benefit of Africa.
Lastly , the world bank is ready to develop Africa but not on free basis. We ought to take advantage of the opportunities given to us to develop ourselves as Africans but should bare in mind it come at a cost. It’s a give and take affair.
BELINDA BENTIL
BACS19121
Africa or Ghana for that matter need to shift from "theory education" to practical acquisition of skills in all educational level in order to solve our problems.
In that way, development will be felt by every individual.
BACS 19990
With reference to african leaders and negotiating deals, I don't think they do the best of job. Most of them don't believe in themselves and have the confidence to face these Westerners who offer the deals. They feel everything they have to offer us is in our best interest, which isn't. Our leaders I think also feel should they argue it out, they may end up losing the whole deal in the process.
Africa has a very long way to go. We need to go back to our roots and pick up some very important lifestyles we abandoned in the face of globalization.
BACS19334
It's imperative that in as much as we want to attain global standards, we're first Africans for that matter we ought to think global but act locally.
Bacs 19993
MATILDA MOTTOR
I believe development is all about your mind set regarding any issues at all and globalization is to help the less developed to get up to standard. Development is meant to help the less developed so they should benefit them the more. Therefore, if an aid takes that fact away, then obviously that is not meant for the person for which it was purposed to benefit therefore the aid must be rejected. I also think if the conditions attached to an aid seems unrealistic and unpractical, our leaders should be BOLD enough to negotiate for better conditions or tend down the aid IF THEIR PERSPECTIVES ARE NOT BEING ADHERED TO.
BACS191050
Our thinking as individual and nations must be geared towards globalization and development. It is only then that, we can compete with other developed countries
BACS191059
BACS19076
Development is a term which has been defined by various scholars from different perspective. To understand development, a communicator must drawn the line between political, economic and intellectual definition of the term "development". Nonetheless, the Marshall project was initially labelled as a development plan however this does not explicitly produce an all-round growth pattern.
Development should be measured by the progress of the problems which are being prioritized.
I agree with Omaro and Mabel on their points above. We must practice what is been taught so that we can much towardso development. Thank you sir bacs191284
Africans have spent far too much time under mental slavery and intimidation. it may or may not be true that Africa could have developed on it own without European intrusion. what ever be the case, i believe it is time Africans stop the blame game and take full advantage of the knowledge and infrastructure laid down by the westerners while fusing it with our indigenous knowledge to develop. BACS19458
African Leaders should start educating most people by making education quite cheap. The educational system should focus on the practical aspect than the theory.
One of the dimensions of the Human Development Index is illiteracy. The more the people are educated, the more the people become inventive and conscious of their life.
This will help Africans to come up with measures that will help them solve most of our problems.
BACS 19138
African Leaders should start educating most people by making education quite cheap. The educational system should focus on the practical aspect than the theory.
One of the dimensions of the Human Development Index is illiteracy. The more the people are educated, the more the people become inventive and conscious of their life.
This will help Africans to come up with measures that will help them solve most of our problems.
BACS 19138
In this case study, Education in Africa is westernised with less focus on building and developing our indigenous knowledge and skills. We learn by using their language using their style of education which may not in all cases be the best in our situation as Africans.
Secondly, the world Bank seek to satisfy their own interests by offering mouth-watering deals as baits to Africans.
Africans can learn to advance their indigenous knowledge and skills to bring about development. But first as starters, we must learn to place values on our History, Culture and Practices.
Lastly,I wonder if the fact that Africans leaders have little to offer the international world is the truth. Contrary to the fact, Africa has so much to offer the international market but our Leaders would rather not to voice out. Unfortunately, African leaders choose to satisfy their own selfish ambitions at the expense of their people's welfare.
Bacs19578
WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF EDUCATION IN AFRICA?
Present education system in Africa is not sufficient. With reference to the video, it is obvious that western models and standards still continue to dominate African education due to colonization. African institutions make use of Eurocentric curriculums with almost no connection to life in Africa. It is mainly based on the theoretical knowledge rather than practical knowledge making lecture or teaching method monotonous. Our educational system teaches it student lessons from books, but not lessons from life. It provides them with knowledge but not equip them with skills or to some extent wisdom. There is no motivation to do ‘practical’ research because everything is examination and white collar jobs oriented thus, students do not find the need to create jobs for themselves and others.
Our educational system according to Dr. Annie basant is just “Filling students head with lot of disjointed facts poured into the heads as into a basket; to be emptied out again in examination hall and empty basket carried out again into the world.” This affirms why an African student will pass a classroom examination but will fail life’s examination.
BACS19446
IS THE WORLD BANK READY TO DEVELOP AFRICA?
Yes, the World Bank being an international financial institution that provides loans to countries of the world for capital projects appears ready to develop Africa considering the fact that they give out loans for development. But for self-centered and corrupt leaders who misuse the loans make it appear the World Bank is not ready to develop Africa. Terms and conditions apply in all transactions thus condemning the World Bank for their terms and conditions is not justifiable enough.
However, if African leaders would not be corrupt, self-centered and feel intimidated, better deals can be negotiated for development and it will be evident enough that the World Bank is assisting in the development of Africa.
BACS19446
CAN AFRICA USE ITS INDEGENOUS METHODS TO BRING ABOUT DEVELOPMENT IN THIS AGE AND TIME?
Of course in this contemporary time Africa can use its indigenous knowledge and methods to develop through practical education and knowledge about Africa. If Africans know all about themselves and have practical education devoid of western culture, they would appreciate their skills and their indigenous methods to develop.
The speaker made mention of the Tassa technology of irrigation which happens to be the best as compared to that of World Bank technique and that of the Gacaca community based judicial system which is evident enough.
BACS19446
WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF AFRICAN LEADERS AND NEGOTIATIONS FOR DEALS?
Considering the fact that most African leaders are highly educated, they are expected to exhibit some level of expertise in negotiating deals. Aside being intimidated as the speaker said, most African leaders become politically motivated, myopic and shortsighted, inward looking, corrupt, self-centered and greedy. Therefore deals negotiated do not in totality benefit Africans.
BACS19446
The African leader understands his people he will do better without foreign influence
The development project has done more harm than good to the third World countries.
Africans' indigenous means would have developed the continent better that the universal natural untentious and the like...BACS29848
The irony about these whole IMF thing which some seem not to know is that, banks exist to make profit hence, IMF isn't an exception. The IMF helps countries with the sole aim of making profit so if countries sit at the negotiation table to make their case, they need to think about the tendency of their countries being crippled by the decision make. They should have it in mind that, they aren't being helped as has always been the case but rather being motivated by some dubious interests. Product financial decision by leaders on behalf of their countries will go a long way to disentangle their citizens from the shackles of the oppressor
BACS191218
Question 1
The education of Africa specifically speaking, the education of Ghana is more theoretical than practical especially in Science and ICT. We have loaded syllabi with subjects like trigonometry and surds in Core maths that are not really relevant for us but we spend time chewing and pouring even if we don't understand. There are less practical experiences and opportunities in our educational system and even worse in the rural areas (inadequate or none at all). It's even more unfair to write examinations (BECE and WASSCE) throughout the the country when the resources (teachers and teaching/educational materials) are unevenly distributed. In my opinion the education system of Ghana is biased. It favours the privileged leaving the rest to struggle.
BACS 19662
Question 2
In my opinion, the World Bank is not ready to develop Africa because they aren't ready to feel or see themselves as co-equals. They want Africa to keep depending on them so that they (World Bank) can dictate to Africa what to do and how to do because if Africa realizes the potential it has to depend on itself once it unites, it would be greater than the IMF and other similar institutions. They make us feel like we can't depend on our own human and material resources to sustain our country.
The World Bank is only pretending to help Africa while enslaving us in a more professional way because there is no free lunch.
BACS 19662
Question 3
Africa can use its indigenous methods to bring about development depending on the problem or situation that requires these methods but to some extent. I think indigenous methods can be used with new technology because they are faster and more productive to boost the development process.
BACS 19662
Question 4
Personally, most but not all African leaders are lazy and selfish when it comes to negotiating for deals. They are unprepared and only care about their pocket, their family members(nepotism) and friends(cronyism) especially with contracts concerning the development of the country. They hardly read through thoroughly the contracts to be able to suggest things that would benefit us and the country at large. They can't even insist on things that won't favour the country to be scrapped out because they would lose money to squander.
BACS 19662
Development is a process that creates growth and brings about positive change in different demographic sectors.The concept of development entails all diverse realms from economic,technology,finance to culture,information and governance.The question we all need to ask ourselves is that,is development sustainable?Sustainable development is defined as development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Development in my opinion can be sustained but certain measures need to be inculcated for this to be achieved and such measures include increased productivity,ensuring a sustainable level of population,meeting essential jobs,food,energy,water and sanitation,reorienting technology and managing risk,building strong institutions of governance,supporting rule of government.
When these measures are implemented,they will go a long way to challenge certain factors that inhibit sustainable development such as poverty,unemployment,climate change,conflict and many others.
BACS19203
BACS19005
Development is a planned process and not an event. Therefore bit by bit structures are needed to make a country great. every aspect of our Ghanaian community must have a development plan. That people will see as a shaping mark for the growth of the community. There should be technological, economic , cultural, social, educational, and political structures to help in the development process.
The educational system in Africa is such that we are thought to go to school,get good grades so you can get a good job.We are not thought to think for ourselves but to follow rules.
Bacs19057
What will be the essence of education if one cannot display skillfully about what they were taught outside their various institution ?
We've found ourselves in a continent where our education system is such that, we only study to produce theoretical knowledge just to attain good grades. Our institutions are more of theory based than practice and this is something that is impeding some African countries from development.
Our leaders need to structure not only our education system but economic , social,political ,cultural and all aspects that counts, as far as development is concerned in a way that will aid in the process of development in the African continent.
BACS19222.
Ghanaian educational system needs some reforms.We should move from our chew ,pour and forget attitude and learn instead of memorizing lines and paragraphs for examination purposes.Education as a driving force of nations should not be so but betther .
BACS 19406
Ghanaian educational system needs some reforms.We should move from our chew ,pour and forget attitude and learn instead of memorizing lines and paragraphs for examination purposes.Education as a driving force of nations should not be so but betther .
BACS 19406
The globalized world sometimes if not always sweeps away regulation and undermines local and national politics, just as the consolidation of the nation state swept away local economies, dialects, cultures and political forms.
BACS191063
BACS 19005
For me culture is the main reason why Africa is still underdeveloped. we haven't been able to wean ourselves from foreign culture which we have planted in every aspect our our lives. From politics to education to the economy and even our societal structures are not exempted. That is why we will always fall victims to foreign donors and all the conditions they will set for us.
In my opinion, education system in Ghana is terrible were there's more theoretical system of teaching to practical, we need a change to enable progress
BACS19693
Education in Africa Ghana to be precise is very poor in a sense that, teachers and lecturers expect students to reproduce what they have taught them. thus to chew and poor exactly what is in their note or pamphlet and this kind of method does not help the students to produce something unique from their thought out of what they have been taught in school.Hence that is why when they become leaders, they can not produce something significant to help develop the country. All they do is to quote and quote and quote. If this way of teaching continues, we can never have good leaders and individuals who can think critically and bring out concrete solutions to solve problems in Ghana.
BACS19475
BACS19845
Education in Africa, can be thought of today as an imported process. Across the continent, the academic curricula are skewed towards Western influenced information or in most cases than not, is absolutely Western with little or no regard for the vast wealth of knowledge available in African history, literature and culture. Per surface value, the situation does not seem to be one with dire consequences because if individuals are gaining knowledge regardless of the source, they would still be considered ‘knowledgeable’ at the end of the day regardless of the source of this knowledge. Unfortunately for Africa, the situation is deeper than it looks.
A phenomenon termed ‘identity crises’ as mentioned by Chika Ezeanya-Esiobu in her TEDX talk; is the price to pay among other dire consequences to be faced by Africans. For example, priority is given to the study of the English language in previous British colonies with less attention being paid to the equally important study of the indigenous languages of the African people. In this regard, a healthier culturally assimilative approach can be employed whereas the fundamental concepts and examples used in education do not come across as far fetched but rather, things which students can easily relate to. The letter ‘A’ could always stand for an item a lot more indigenous to the African people than Apple; which is fruit that does not even grow in Africa. The concepts to a large extent can be considered as imported as the fruits. Even the history of Africa taught in schools today is history written from the perspective of the then colonizers. It may be argued that there is insufficient literature to substantiate the history syllabus especially in African schools. However, Africans have been known to preserve their history and culture largely by oral tradition which constitutes songs, poems, stories and other elements of folklore that have survived the test of time and can still be studied today. Identity crises causes more stagnation in a people than meets the eye at first glance and people are more likely to stay confused about themselves and the things that surround them if their education does little to teach them about these.
BACS19845
The World Bank is largely considered an international sanctuary for all nations in terms of financial aid to fund development projects. Africa countries are not exempted from the financial aid available to nation states across the world to embark on the aforementioned development projects. The question as to whether the world bank is ready to develop Africa is a contentious one. Since its inception, African states have been indebted to the world bank which of course is headed by Western States with its headquarters located in Washington D.C. United states. The eventual appropriation of funds provided to African states by the world bank is determined by the world bank. This unfortunately goes contrary to the simplistic underpinning of post development thought which travels along the tangent of development being with, for and by the people themselves. The dealings of the World Bank with African states cannot be considered as equitable to that of their Western Counterparts as the debt of most Western countries for the most part is not as a result left over from colonial masters. The World Bank seems to be more concerned with making itself the best deals and consequently leaving African states to grapple with the accumulated debt years after the deals are brokered. Perhaps if the world bank did not have a strangle hold on the uses of the funds obtained from them by African states, the debt of these states would be cleared.
BACS19845
Though colonized for years, most Africans are still more intrinsically traditional than Westernized. Contrary to the belief that traditional methods of problem solving are obsolete, there are documented cases of successes chalked up by these practices. Among these are the Gacaca judicial system practiced in Rwanda and Tassa irrigation system in Niger. Contrary to Western Judicial models which mostly prioritize punitive action and incarceration, Gacaca is a community based judicial system which focuses more on reconciliation and reintegration. Its community-based nature, is reflective culture of the people it serves. This Judicial system was used after the genocide of 1994 in Rwanda and is documented to have concluded its trial in 2012 with 12,000 community-based courts having tried 1.2 million cases. It is unlikely that Rwanda would have been considered one of the fastest growing economies today if people were still engaged with the heavily bureaucratic Western Judicial systems with the prospect of being jailed after proceedings. In Niger, a country which is 75% scorched Dessert, the indigenes employ the Tassa traditional irrigation system which involves building of a damn around a plot of land and having plants draw as much collected rain water as they need from the water source. Experiments have shown Tassa to be more efficient in this region, than other irrigation systems. The methods elaborated on here may be old, but their success rates certainly suggest that they presently foster development for the people they serve, better than imported methods.
BACS19845
African leaders have long been criticised for their passive demeanour in negotiations and signing of deals. This seems to be reflective in the relatively slow development rates recorded in recent years. This to a large extent is true however, other factors make it somewhat understandable, the behaviour of African leaders when the broker these deals with organisations such as the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. As previously mentioned, African states inherited the debts of their colonial masters and have always been disadvantaged post-colonial era.
African leaders are not entirely to blame for non-beneficial deals being signed onto by African states. The sectors of development that are deemed necessary for the development of Africa are normally predetermined with heavy laden payback conditions. In a bid to meet international standards of development, African leaders seem to be left with no choice but to accept these deals as they are presented to them by their creditors who they are already heavily indebted to. Unfortunately, African leaders fail to see the opportunity cost inherent in most of these deals. Recently in Ghana, a deal to have Chinese state-owned company ‘Sinohydro’ mine bauxite in Ghana was entered into by the Ghanaian government to make up for a near US$30 billion infrastructural deficit. Per surface value, the deal seems like a win-win situation for both parties. However, the implications of this deal especially its environmentally, foretell counter development for the Ghanaian people. The Atewa Forest reserve located in the Eastern Region of Ghana provides water to over 5million Ghanaians and houses a huge ecosystem. Apart from the mining activities in this area posing a threat to the water supply of approximately five million Ghanaians, the activities of the miners will most likely disrupt the ecological state of the region and his could have dire consequences on the climatic conditions of the area.
African leaders being somewhat assertive could prevent such one-sided deals from being signed however, the bargaining chips of African leaders seem to have been long lost over time.
The stuctures are not being put in place for young people to have a better education. I agree that theories are good but it's going to be better if we praticalize our teaching and learning to foster development.
BACS19011
My Submission:
African Leaders must learn how to negotiate properly and negotiate for the interest of the people. Negotiations by African leaders are not transparent and also underlined with corruption.
I believe the state of Africa now is partly due to the lack of negotiation skills of leaders.
Our leaders continue to fail us, and it makes it difficult to identify whether the leaders do have the interest of the people at heart.
BACS19663
African governance is characterised by the adage "new king new laws, where leaders feel too big to continue with any good project started by a past government and so at the end of the day there are numerous unfinished projects surrounding us and these projects only consume huge aspects of our resources without contributing anything in return to the economy. More importantly, politicization of the educational system where educational policies and structures changes under successive governments without them considering the effects it will have on education and the country as a whole.
BACS19162
Globalization affect us usually because our leaders are not ready to be selfless leaders.
Nana Komeh Abboah-Offei
BACS 19894
Regarding colonialism, globalisation is so because countries that are more globalized are affected by less developed countries with cultural adaptations. In education media, there is the spread of cultural power in all institutions.(Being it political, economical or social)
BACS191143(Weekend)
I think the development project is/was a strategy to exploit African countries because nothing has improved in Africa
BACS19564
Globalization has affected us both positively and negatively in the area of the African Economy
Thank you Sir BACS18798
Post a Comment