Reality effects on the human development paradigm in sub-saharan Africa

Abstract

The Paper argues that humanity should be at the centre of development. People should be involved in the design, implementation of local development projects. The paper also advocates for the decentralisation of authority since in a centralised authority the citizens are normally made subjects of their own development. There is need for local resource mobilisation as a way of enabling people to enhance their capabilities. There is need for a new development paradigm that will empower the population, a paradigm that will enable the people to participate in their own development. That’s when the population will own their development. Without true ownership, national programs will not be appropriate to local conditions and therefore they will fail. The dictates of donors and the philosophy of the neo-liberal paradigm that countries in Sub-Saharan Africa are following will not develop Sub-Saharan Africa. This paper identifies the policy of decentralisation as an appropriate policy that would enhance the development of Sub-Saharan Africa, since it empowers the people. But the policy in most cases has been hijacked by the political leaders for their own benefit. The policy can only succeed if it is appropriately designed and implemented, with strong leadership support and bureaucratic commitment.