The Woes of Africa

The article isn’t about a particular country but about many. 

Rod Cooper is a foreigner who runs a local gem business in the African country of Malia. Local people in the hinterland find gemstones. They bring them to him and he gives them a fair price. He then sells them online around the world via the internet. He has a friend, Imani, the chief reporter for the Malia Herald. One day they are walking through the capital city, Zandali.

Imani: We have so much that needs to be done in our country, but there is never enough funding available.

Rod: I hear the government has secured a loan from an overseas foundation to assist in opening up farming in the inland regions of Malia. 

Imani: You are correct, my friend. It is a two pronged project. The first is to build reservoirs so that regular irrigation will allow consistent agricultural production. Then, an upgrading of the dirt tracks to quality roads so that goods can be brought to the coast without seasonal rainfall making them all but impassable.

Rod: What sort of products? 

Imani: Export products will include such commodities as coffee, cocoa beans and timber. It will also facilitate the transport of basics such as maize and soybeans.

They reach the home of Rod, who is greeted by his local wife, Amina. 

Imani: I must get home now. I will see you again.

The next day, Amani wakes and prepares a simple breakfast. As African people have strong faith, he reflects on the Lord's prayer about praying for God's Kingdom to come and then God's will being done on earth. He bows his head, making that petition. He believes with earnest desire that it will come soon. 

Imani goes to prepare an article for the Malia Herald on the need to improve education and medical care for youths. He knows money is tight for such things, but those at the top of the political tree drive expensive cars and live in very nice houses. Wealth distribution is extremely unequal. He wonders how the system will ever be different. 

Imani's phone rings and on the line is a secret informant within the government who notifies Imani of important happenings. 

Imani: Good morning Jelani. What do you have for me today?

Jelani speaks softly: The loan from an overseas foundation has disappeared.

Imani: How do you mean, disappeared? 

Jelani: It has gone from the account it was put into. It is being investigated but whoever is responsible has done a good job at covering their tracks.
Imani: So no one knows where it has gone?

Jelani: Somewhere like a Swiss bank account. 
Imani: The Swiss got rich taking illicit gains, no questions asked but they have tightened up on this sort of thing. That said, no system is one hundred percent guaranteed. Wherever the money went, it will unlikely be untraceable. 
Jelani: I have to go and you didn't hear this from me.
Imani: Of course. 

Imani wonders what to do so he arranges for an interview with Finance Minister Baraka under the pretense of him writing an article on how well the country is doing under his government. 

Imani: Thank you for allowing me some of your precious time. 

Minister Baraka: You are welcome. His smile is as wide as the mountain range to the west.
Imani: Tell us about your initiatives to improve education and health care for the young and less privileged.

The minister explains with copious words about how this is a priority for the government without actually saying anything of substance. 

Imani: How is the loan Malia received going to assist in creating the revenue needed to finance such things? I take it that is how the benefits will, in part, be used.

Minister Baraka becomes uneasy: Er..of course. Anyway, I have an important meeting to attend, so I must end our conversation.

Imani: The funds are still available for the development projects? 

Minister Baraka: What are you implying, Imani?

Imani: Just looking forward to seeing the benefits filtering down to the common people. The farms and forestry projects, for example, and the work generated in these inland communities. People won't be leaving the land and coming to the cities in search of work. 

Minister Baraka: Well, that would surely be a benefit. Have you been sniffing around, looking for a scandalous story to discredit our government? 

Imani: Not at all minister. Just informing the public of what they need to know.

Minister Baraka: Any unfair news reporting will be met with severe repercussions. 

Imani: I understand minister. I'll let you get to your meeting.

Imani leaves, unable to directly accuse the government of anything without risking his source. Few at this time would know about the money disappearing. He hoped he didn't go too far in his questioning. People can disappear permanently for less. 

Imani visits his friend Rod at his home and tells him what has happened. 

Rod: It will come out in due course and the ministers will plead ignorance. The truth is it probably happened with complicity in government circles. Luxury cars and caviar don't come cheap. Overseas bank accounts need topping up, occasionally with large deposits.

Imani: The trouble is, if I whistleblow, my informant is at risk as well as me.

Rod: And those responsible will never be found out. Your morality is commendable, but not welcome by the leaders of Malia. Fight the small battles that you can win. 

Imani: I know you are right.

Rod: Let's have some coffee and delicacies that Amina has prepared. Leave the corrupt officials to blame everyone and everything but themselves for the woes of Africa.