Featured as the dark continent, African nations have been to a large extent marred by a range of social, political and economic maladies, ranging from prevalent droughts and famines, civil wars, corruption, dictatorial regimes, incurable diseases, floods and so forth. These problems have significantly hampered the development of the African nations and significantly reduced the quality of life in this continent, despite its vast array of resources and natural wealth. Many international bodies have tried several times to come to the aid of individual nations problems but they only seem to be escalating rather than reducing.
My country of origin is Africa and is no exception to the numerous problems that characterize the this beautiful continent. For a long time now, it would be prudent to say since independence, my country has been faced with the huge burden of corruption which in a large way can be attribute to many other problems in the country. My country won its independence nearly 48 years ago from the British imperialist. There was a glimmer of hope as people now thought they could directly enjoy their natural resources while under the rule of their fellow country man. They were in for rude surprise. Little or nothing has changed, in fact it is getting worse. It would have been better for the colonial rulers to continue with their rule than leave it behind to selfish and corrupt individuals, who were only bent to improve their own livelihood and that of their kin, rather than strive to improve the whole nation.( Tindiga, 2005)
For a long time now, my fellow countrymen have been trying so hard to eradicate this vice of corruption but to no avail. Their efforts have continually been frustrated by the ruling elite, who want to maintain the condition so that they can protect their positions of power and as a result protect their ill gotten wealth.
Many people in my country suffer due to lack of the common and basic necessities of life. You will find that the majority of the population like basic necessities like food, clothing and proper housing. This is because these people do not have the economic capacity to provide for these basic human necessities. More than have the country’s population live below poverty line. This means that they earn less than one dollar for a full day’s work. A really sad fact to bear. This is why many multinationals are flooding the nation due to the surety of very cheap or even free labor and amassing wealth which is repatriated to their mother countries.
The ruling regimes are continually involved in dark deals to amass wealth by stealing what right fully belong to the people and also coalescing with these multinationals to protect their status quo, hence living the majority to suffer due to their evil actions. Surprisingly they go ahead and invest these ill gotten wealth in western states instead of even at least considering the plight of their people who need those investments than the Europeans or the Americans.
The wealth acquired by these minority if properly managed could see these country rise to the highest levels possible. This is because, the country is blessed with so many natural resources including the citizens who are more than enterprising. If the social amenities like schools, roads, hospitals could be well managed then they could go a long way to improving the livelihood of the people in my country. It also vital to protect the local industries and have the multinationals pay for the value of the labor provided to better the economic livelihood of the people. The most hit citizens who live in the dry areas of the country would be catered for adequately thereby eradicating cases of death due to lack of food. It is a shame that a country which attained its independence nearly 50 years ago can still not feed its entire population, yet it has enough resources and capabilities to do so. This capability is only hindered by a self inflicting vice, corruption which if the people work diligently together can fight to minimize or eradicate completely. This will only be possible through massive public education to let people know that it would start with individual person to change so as to change the entire system.
It is impossible for the system change if the people who unconsciously are a part of this system do not change themselves first. This is because it is the people who are blinded to return to power the same people who practice corruption hence continuing the cycle. Majority of the people are so naïve and ignorant as to realize that the same people that they sing praises too after being bribed with some few shillings are the same who enjoy their country’s wealth at the people’s expense.
As a civil rights activist and a strong defender of human rights and justice, I aim to provide a solution of this problem once and for all. This is because despite it affecting the majority of the people, it also affects me directly as it hinders my personal development in the country.
My aim is to form a civil rights movement by employing the use of the university students, who in one way or another are more informed than the general population. These students will help me launch a nationwide campaign to educate and enlighten the people at the grassroots level. People will be educated about their rights and their civil responsibilities and also shown the importance of voting for the right leaders rather than those who bribe them with some few cents. It would also be very vital to have the people know that the vice can only be effectively eradicated through changing at the individual level at first. Many people in my country due to the level of illiteracy know one or two things about corruption but do not have the actual information of the vice and its prevalence. This will be the sole purpose of the movement. To enlighten and to educate.
We will do these and hope for the best and have a strong believe that the movement is going to be a success. We are definitely going to encounter challenges from the corrupt leaders as we will be threatening their positions but we are determined for the good of the people and the country at large. The country and the majority oppressed are the motivators of this movement. We are positive that the movement will then be joined by many and we will improve the plight of our country come what may, or despite any hindrance whatsoever. (James, 2004).
References
James, O (2004). Writing persuasive essays. Nairobi: Nairobi university press.
Tindiga, B. (2005) effects of corruption. Nairobi: Macmillan publishers
