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Janko
Gambia
1267 Posts |
 Posted - 31 Jan 2013 : 23:44:27
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Africans Sent $60 Billion to Africa in 2012, But Overcharged $4 Billion by Money Transfer Companies
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This is more than twice the total amount of aid received by Africa, which amounted to $28 billion. “Bilateral aid to sub-Saharan Africa was USD 28.0 billion, representing a fall of -0.9% in real terms compared to 2010. By contrast, aid to the African continent increased by +0.9% to USD 31.4 billion, as donors provided more aid to North Africa after the revolutions in the region,” according to a report by the OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development), in 2012.
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Clean your house before pointing a finger ... Never be moved by delirious Well-wishers in their ecstasy |
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toubab1020
12314 Posts |
Posted - 01 Feb 2013 : 00:48:08
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| Janko,this money that the article talks of, if I understand correctly is money sent or given to family members by those Africans working in other countries as opposed to the countries of Africa,with all the aid money that has been given to African countries over the years by governments,has the input of all funds received from all sources lead to upgrading the living standards of the average sub-Saharan African man or woman.? If not why not? Any improvement at all.? |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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Edited by - toubab1020 on 01 Feb 2013 00:51:39 |
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Janko
Gambia
1267 Posts |
Posted - 07 Feb 2013 : 01:47:39
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“Upgrading the living standards of the average sub-Saharan African … “
What yardstick are you measuring with … the sub- Saharan or the Erophonic?
Well, some if not all of that money is used to service depts. And the rest hardly leaves the country that facilitated the transaction. If we look at what goods and services that money purchases by the time we reach the end of our list we would be in the red.
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Clean your house before pointing a finger ... Never be moved by delirious Well-wishers in their ecstasy |
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toubab1020
12314 Posts |
Posted - 07 Feb 2013 : 09:56:18
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| Janko,my yardstick is Erophonic cannot be anything else but,I can draw your attention to pit latrines,when there is water and flush toilet hardware available,to destruction of the forests by using charcoal and wood for cooking when there is bottled gas available to do the same job,farmers trying to work their land using the forked branch of a tree to dig holes,instead of a spade,people being cold because they have no blanket to cover them at night,people going barefoot on the roads,this is the true picture of the lives of the average sub-sarahan African,is such a life in keeping with 2013,of course not,then why does it exist? Answer, No Money,No jobs,endemic corruption.Janko from your posting above it seems that you are inferring that money sent from Africans working abroad is not being utilised by those it has been sent to but effectively removed from making improvements in the lives of the recipients and used to pay government debt? |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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Janko
Gambia
1267 Posts |
Posted - 07 Feb 2013 : 23:49:17
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toubab,
How can the local industry grow to improve the life of the sub-saharan when traders from afar are pushing their goods in their throats? How can the farmer improve his tools, or the shoemaker mass produce, or the smith, or the tailor and …?
Do I have to tell you that "pit latrines" produce bottled gas for house whole use ... re-circling…killing many birds with a single stone. That perspective of local industrial development is overshadowed by the very Europhonic yardstick that relates "pit latrines" to underdevelopment and not its potential and multi-dimensional usage, in these times of global climate complexities.
I will not embark on a marry-go-round.
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Clean your house before pointing a finger ... Never be moved by delirious Well-wishers in their ecstasy |
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toubab1020
12314 Posts |
Posted - 08 Feb 2013 : 12:20:11
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"I will not embark on a marry-go-round." Maybe not,but how about one of these ? 
http://www.ladygladysstore.com/wp-content/uploads/P0018a.jpg
"Europhonic yardstick that relates "pit latrines" to underdevelopment"
http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel_library/MethaneDigesters/jpg/MD06.jpg
OK Janko you are entitled to think what ever you want but to do so with a closed mind will benefit no one.
Yes I know that pit latrines produce usable methane gas,and if I remember correctly a few years ago a toubab made a suitable methane gas producing plant in Gambia that Gambians could use for cooking what happened,nothing.
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"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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Edited by - toubab1020 on 08 Feb 2013 12:22:52 |
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toubab1020
12314 Posts |
Posted - 09 Feb 2013 : 12:47:07
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Need I say More Janko ?
http://observer.gm/africa/gambia/article/health-stakeholders-promote-open-defecation-free-communities
quote:
Originally posted by Janko
“Upgrading the living standards of the average sub-Saharan African … “
What yardstick are you measuring with … the sub- Saharan or the Erophonic?
Well, some if not all of that money is used to service depts. And the rest hardly leaves the country that facilitated the transaction. If we look at what goods and services that money purchases by the time we reach the end of our list we would be in the red.
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"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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Janko
Gambia
1267 Posts |
Posted - 09 Feb 2013 : 14:47:08
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Right Livelihood Award » Laureates » 1997 - Joseph Ki-Zerbo » Speech Ki-Zerbo
...The continental and global status quo does not offer anything truly positive for Africa in the short or middle term. The selfishness implicit in neo-liberalism is such that 20% of the world's population, living essentially in the North, consume and burn 80% of resources, with shocking wastage, whilst the majority of humans, held as barbarians behind new types of iron curtains, foot the bill of a hypothetical development with horrendous human costs, making them like human sacrifices. A young prostitute, recently asked by journalists whether she was afraid of AIDS, replied without hesitation: "I'd rather die from AIDS than from hunger". In truth, together with so many other Africans, she has no choice. To be destitute is to have no choice at all.
Africa will not die alone. When African children breathe their last, as seen and heard live on TV in the living rooms of rich nations, it is also a part of the viewer's dignity which is lost. The principle which condemns failure to assist people in danger is thrown overboard, so that the blind ship of the world can pursue its route in the dark. Africa will not die alone, because aware individuals and groups in the South and North refuse to countenance such an inhuman fate. And also because "he who eats alone, chokes alone". Faced with this situation, what can we do?
The structural adjustment programmes enforced by the international financial institutions have not halted the worsening of the situation - in fact, they have often contributed to this deterioration, by raising many African issues (such as population growth, democracy, development or education) in the wrong way. They have promoted globalisation, or integration to the global market. Africa has been integrated to the market for several centuries - as an instrument - and to date the profits are piling up elsewhere. So what is this market? The one which by definition crushes the weakest by generating poverty, and then maybe later has the problem looked at by others? Or the one that prevents poverty by providing for the preservation of man even more than for the conservation of nature? According to an African saying, "an old man is worth more than his price". This means that there is a price beyond the market price, a space beyond the market where accumulation is achieved not just in terms of goods but also in terms of linking up and sharing out, and being able to convert these linkages into goods. Such a space based on integration is better than globalisation, if the latter is to be reductionist and to foster exclusion. Only regionalisation - or integration of African micro-markets through an inter-African division of labour - will enable Africans to emerge onto the global market as more than mere pale (or dark!) onlookers. ... |
Clean your house before pointing a finger ... Never be moved by delirious Well-wishers in their ecstasy |
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toubab1020
12314 Posts |
Posted - 09 Feb 2013 : 17:06:04
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JANKO,Joseph Ki-Zerbo has his point of view,here again the "blame someone else culture" is very evident,but even now years later what has changed? that does not detract from the plight of many Africans living in Africa today,MOST of the African countries that have had their boundries drawn by the old Colonial powers are now totally independent for tens of years now and those in charge of those countries have accepted responsibility for their own people.
I ask you consider and point out the countries where the person in charge has not enriched themselves beyond their wildest dreams with in MOST cases money that should have been utilised to make improvements for his fellow countymen . |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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Janko
Gambia
1267 Posts |
Posted - 09 Feb 2013 : 19:25:46
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"blame someone else culture" … I wish it was that simple.
Interestingly those who use the “blame someone else culture” notion as an argument to legitimate injustice are at the same time implying their fidelity. Just like the preacher that says –do as I say and not as I do.
Blame game indeed. Africa is free to do business, trade and develop in any direction, link with anybody she likes. Yes, the whole colonial history is just an excuse, for it has nothing to do with Africa's current state. This is how eurocentrists would want us to understand Africa’s present condition in relation to her pass. That would be revisionism, in my view.
It is okay by you to talk about the pit latrines, destruction of the forests, endemic corruption but to mention the destructive structural adjustment programs enforced by the international financial institutions is a "blame someone else culture". But it is those same structural adjustment programmes that recommended taking away subsides for farming in most African countries yet today farming subsides is a very important structural instrument in stabilizing price in most developed countries, including the EU.
It is a "blame someone else culture" when the OECD clearly stated that it is not going to support any long term development programmes in Africa. Malawi underwent famine a couple of years after IMF recommended her to sell off her wheat reserve.
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Clean your house before pointing a finger ... Never be moved by delirious Well-wishers in their ecstasy |
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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
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toubab1020
12314 Posts |
Posted - 09 Feb 2013 : 23:36:18
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Janko you write:
"but to mention the destructive structural adjustment programs enforced by the international financial institutions is a "blame someone else culture". But it is those same structural adjustment programmes that recommended taking away subsides for farming in most African countries yet today farming subsides is a very important structural instrument in stabilizing price in most developed countries, including the EU."
I agree it is BIG BUSINESS that runs the world and its financial institutions and yes they are run by europhonic and usophonic (there a new buzz word I have just coined !) people,many a politician have close contact with multinationals,and are likely to be persuaded that their points of view are the best ones and those views should be followed.
It's all about money,and greed as I observed above, such money is now sometimes used by those in charge of running many African countries for their own enrichment a point not responded to by you I note,the citizens suffering poverty are forgotten and pushed out of mind.
JANKO,if aid,loans,grants and other preferential financial instruments given by developed nations was withdrawn to the countries of Africa,could those countries population thrive or would they wither into a great famine that humanity has never witnessed before ?
The "blame someone else culture" is rampant in Africa.
JANKO that's me done now,someone else can have a go at this topic you appear to be a traditionalist ,absolutely fine but don't make taxpayers of the world support Africa for ever,if Africans want to join the 21st century world of the developed nations then their attitudes must change.
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"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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Edited by - toubab1020 on 09 Feb 2013 23:53:02 |
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Janko
Gambia
1267 Posts |
Posted - 11 Feb 2013 : 23:45:29
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Africa is better off without AID, grants or loans. AID is not intended to solve Africa’s problem but to extend it. Assuming Africa cannot do without AID from the West is very disconcerting. Hence, it is based on the assumption that AID from the West is spent on day-to-day feeding of Africans, which falls on its own absurdity. And that the Aid comes in physical cash that Africa can spend. But AID comes in kind; products, services, experts that the giver presumes Africa need.
You seem to miss the point; it is about how much money the African diaspora sent to Africa in 2012. Which is estimated as being far more than all AID to Africa?
Fair trade is the key to solving Africa’s problem not AID.
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Clean your house before pointing a finger ... Never be moved by delirious Well-wishers in their ecstasy |
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toubab1020
12314 Posts |
Posted - 12 Feb 2013 : 00:07:39
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Janko,I see your point,the fact still remains that Africa cannot do without "inputs" from the countries outside of Africa,if it be charity, government aid,or money sent home to families from Africans living and working abroad.Fair trade is great BUT you have to remember that in order to sell "products" from Africa,if its food items,for instance that has to be transported to those who will buy it,maybe it will have to be refrigerated or packaged in a way that the consumers in a foreign land understand,and guess what, that all costs money who will pay that money,the farmer where the produce was sourced from,no the buyer will have to fund that and in the end make a profit for his trouble when he sells it,if it goes to a wholesaler the wholesaler will take his cut,not simple at all to state that "Fair trade is the key to solving Africa’s problem not AID."
quote:
Originally posted by Janko
Africa is better off without AID, grants or loans. AID is not intended to solve Africa’s problem but to extend it. Assuming Africa cannot do without AID from the West is very disconcerting. Hence, it is based on the assumption that AID from the West is spent on day-to-day feeding of Africans, which falls on its own absurdity. And that the Aid comes in physical cash that Africa can spend. But AID comes in kind; products, services, experts that the giver presumes Africa need.
You seem to miss the point; it is about how much money the African diaspora sent to Africa in 2012. Which is estimated as being far more than all AID to Africa?
Fair trade is the key to solving Africa’s problem not AID.
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"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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Janko
Gambia
1267 Posts |
Posted - 13 Feb 2013 : 00:32:33
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"Fair Trade" is a form of exchange of goods where the parties involved reach an agreement of trade on equal terms. In reality, Africa has been and is still an important economic partner for the West as a source of strategic raw materials, a market for its manufactured goods, an outlet for its capital investment, and a prop to its currencies. In short, without Africa the West will no longer have a history in the twenty –fist century.
You just have to come off the idea that charity, Aid or whatever you call it is meant to solve Africa’s problems. You have to also understand that the West is not helping Africa for love or philanthropy but because it would be foolishness to kill the hen that lays golden eggs.
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Clean your house before pointing a finger ... Never be moved by delirious Well-wishers in their ecstasy |
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toubab1020
12314 Posts |
Posted - 13 Feb 2013 : 12:58:34
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"You just have to come off the idea that charity, Aid or whatever you call it is meant to solve Africa’s problems."
Not at all I pointed out that without "aid" in whatever form from outside African countries Africa would experience catastrophic problems.
"You have to also understand that the West is not helping Africa for love or philanthropy but because it would be foolishness to kill the hen that lays golden eggs."
OK,what I would ask you to understand is that "aid" is not being used ALWAYS to help the people for who it is intended but utilised for enhancement of personal wealth of those who have no need of "help".I get your point of killing the hen,true.
"Fair Trade" is a form of exchange of goods where the parties involved reach an agreement of trade on equal terms. In reality, Africa has been and is still an important economic partner for the West as a source of strategic raw materials, a market for its manufactured goods,"
True,but human greed on both sides plays a part,so in reality it's not Fair Trade.
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"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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Edited by - toubab1020 on 13 Feb 2013 13:01:48 |
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Africans Sent $60 Billion
