“What is GDP to me when I cannot afford to send my child to school?”
Honourable Betty Bigombe was one of the participants of the Tana Forum and an Advisory Board member. She shares her views on the #Tana Forum and the overall peace and security situation on the continent. She had many messages to share, especially for the political leadership. I am sharing two of those messages below. You can read more here: https://hesphina.com/2025/01/06/tana-at-ten-publications/
1. On elections, she asks whether Africans have enough safeguards for elected leaders to be accountable to citizens. She emphasises that leadership is not just at the heads of state and government level but should include parliamentarians and all elected officials. The lack of accountability explains why people do not have faith in elections anymore. Added to that are the election processes which are riddled with vote-buying and rigging.
2. On the youth, she uses her own experience to demonstrate the frustrations of the youths when government officials explain development in terms of GDP. What is the material difference to an individual when a country moves from least-developed to middle-income status? Political leadership has become complacent and is not listening to citizens, and leaders should be more honest about it. Citizens are getting tired.
What are your thoughts?
GIZ,German International Cooperation