A Woman Named Charity

At the opening of a conference on Africa's conflicts, one of the speakers opined that in Africa, "it is not the economy stupid". It is politics.

Helene Cooper's article for the International Herald Tribune illustrates that money and political guidance are inseparable ingredients for a more viable African aid.

Helene wrote:

"Donors have shied away from financing ambitious projects in African countries where the government is corrupt. . . But Africa will never overcome poverty if the developed world waits until every country is corruption-free. When a government is unreliable, donors should find ways to concentrate on specific departments that are well run . . . "

"Donors can also protect their money by demanding measurable improvements. They can track how their money is being spent. And they can make the money contingent on specific government behavior."