Africa is a continent blessed with many good things like natural resources, good foods, good weather but bad leadership, so the question above is, will Autocratic Government solve our economy problems?
This question has been on my mind for some time, and honestly, I get why some people are starting to suggest that Africa may need a strong autocratic leadership to fix things. The continent is blessed with everything, natural resources, talents, smart young people, and even culture, yet many countries are still struggling to meet basic needs.
When people compare Africa to some Asian countries like Singapore, they quickly bring up how Lee Kuan Yew used a more autocratic style to push the country from poverty to becoming one of the richest places in the world. He didn’t waste time waiting for long parliament debates or protests, he just did what had to be done. Some feel that Africa also needs that kind of firm hand, someone who will not be afraid to take difficult but necessary decisions.
But here’s the reality. Autocracy may speed things up, but it can also crush people’s voices. That’s dangerous in a continent where leaders already have a bad record of holding onto power longer than they should. If we give them full control, what stops them from abusing it?
One thing we keep overlooking is the role of citizens. Even with democracy, African citizens don't always demand accountability. People are more concerned about tribal politics or stomach infrastructure than who is capable of actually leading. We vote for people because of where they come from or because they gave us rice during elections. So even if we switch to autocracy, if the people are not educated or bold enough to hold leaders accountable, nothing will change.
Let’s not forget that autocratic systems can silence media, remove human rights, and increase fear. And in that kind of environment, how do you expect creativity, innovation or entrepreneurship to grow? We can’t build our economy by ruling people with fear. We need ideas, freedom, and a system that supports people who want to make a difference.
A better example for me is Ghana. While it’s not perfect, Ghana has managed to remain peaceful and democratic for years. It shows that democracy can work in Africa when there is a bit of discipline and structure. Yes, there are still economic challenges, but power changes hands, people protest when things go wrong, and the media is still talking. That’s something many countries don’t have.
So, in my view, the problem is not the kind of government we use, it’s the attitude of the leaders and the mindset of the people. We can’t keep blaming systems without working on our culture. If leaders see power as service, and the people understand that they have the right to demand good governance, then development will come, slowly but surely.
Autocracy might look like a shortcut, but in the long run, it may cost us more. What we need is strong leadership, not necessarily strongmen.
@powerpaul/engdeu-part-2-losing-a-leg-the-doctor-didnt-say-it-waiting-for-the-results-but-we-both-knew-the-truth
@powerpaul/engdeu-i-am-so-ill-will-they-cut-off-my-leg-i-need-to-visit-the-hospital-tomorrow
