You read that right: ‘No, setting more grandiose goals won’t bring us development.’ The focus should be on achieving the desired effect, or outcome(s). Ok, fine, that’s a tricky statement to make. It is not true, but it is also not untrue. The point is, it takes more than setting Read More
Governance
Spotlight on politics and economics in the world – thrilling discovery
I remember a time when I did not understand the fascination with economists, especially in the development space. I got it but I also did not. In my feeble attempt at a defence, I would say, “we’ve left development with them for so long and look how far we’ve come”. Read More
The Surprisingly Simple Truth behind end-of-service benefits (ex gratia) for MPs in Ghana
You heard the news about the end-of-service (ex gratia) payments to MPs and you thought one of three things: “Oh, what insanity! ‘End-of-service’ gift for what exactly?” “Wow, I should really consider going into local politics. That’s some money right there! Imagine if I held on for four terms like Read More
How Mombasa dealt with a security crisis
I have had the chance to visit Mombasa a few times – for work and also for leisure. It’s pretty. But Mombasa is a tad too old and experienced to just be called “pretty”. Mombasa Kenya has character. One that is now physically visible with the striking colours of the Read More
Preparing for a crisis – Max.Ng : 5 photos and me series
Over the next couple of weeks, I am going to share five photos from a few of my journeys-to-know-more, and what they mean to me. As a development professional, I occasionally get to go to places and experience different things. As an individual, these experiences always strike different chords and Read More
Why governance in Africa is an economic matter
Governance in Africa is an economic matter. States that make heavy use of overt coercion and brutality often do so because they cannot exercise proper authority. They have what Michael Mann labels “despotic power” but not “infrastructural power” to penetrate and shape society. This was true of both the colonial Read More
Why do governments recycle Ministers?
I know I cannot be the only one who has wondered why governments recycle Ministers, especially on our side of the world. How did the Minister of Defence become Minister of Trade & Industry? And why is it the same group of people shuffled around every eight years? In the Read More
Are we headed for a Stalled Engines world?
Are we headed for a Stalled Engines world? If you’re asking what that is? Read on! In a few short weeks, the coronavirus pandemic has changed everything: the way we move, act, and think. On some days, I believe it; on others, not quite. The pandemic seems to have just Read More
Keep the Receipts and be open about it
I recently came across a few articles talking about corruption and the siphoning off of funds meant for Covid-19 support, and I was mad. For me, that’s just foul. In a post written by Mushtaq Khan and Pallavi Roy, I read in shock about instances of “padding in procurement contracts, leakages in distribution, Read More