Politics of Africa

Former Ghana president explains Africa's political evolution since post-independence.

John Mahama served as Ghana’s fourth president from 2012 to 2017. The former head of state delivered a lecture at the University of Chicago’s Institute of Politics. Here is a summary of his thoughts.

Decolonization of Africa

After decolonization from the European powers, Africa’s post-colonial history went through various stages. The first stage was one of liberation. Ghana was one of the first African nations to gain independence from the British Empire. Many other African nations looked to Ghana as a leader of the pan-African independence movement. After gaining independence, the African nations entered a second stage of development: post-colonial independence. Most of the liberation fighters converted into the presidents or heads of state in the newly formed African countries. However, governing a country is much harder than liberating one. 

Market reforms

At first, the Soviet Union was one of the strongest backers of independence movements in Africa. This was especially true of anti-colonial resistance against racial apartheid. Because of this, many post-colonial regimes were politically left-of-center. They were structured along socialistic lines, using state enterprises to rapidly industrialize the newly formed nations of Africa. When Ghana gained independence, it started out with a command economy. Everything from bakeries to transportation was directly controlled by the government. In the 1980s and 1990s, Ghana and other post-colonial nations began to restructure their economies along capitalist lines. The private sector expanded. Free markets were promoted. State subsidies were withdrawn. Today, Ghana is more of a mixed economy. Social welfare policies are in place to ensure a more egalitarian distribution of wealth, but not in a way that stifles the free market. For example, there is national health insurance. Social security provides additional government revenue. Education is subsidized by the government. As a result, enrollment rates are as high as 98%. There is also gender equality, as women’s education is strongly encouraged. Agriculture and manufacturing are vital sectors in African economies. With a booming population of youth, many African nations are seeking to promote high employment. This is because unemployed youths can be easily persuaded and recruited by dangerous terrorist organizations. Telecommunications have largely been introduced into the continent by the African Diaspora. Ghana was once an African leader in this industry, being among the first to deregulate it. But Ghana was eventually outcompeted by East Africa in this regard. Commerce benefits from the unification of local regions into a single nation-wide economy. 

Democratization 

Like the Arab Spring in the Middle East, the African nations have experienced an upsurge in democracy. But in Africa, those reforms were implemented much more gradually. Liberation movements were replaced by military dictatorships, which grew more democratic as time passed. Constitutions were adopted, and elections were held. Political parties grew more numerous. Africa has gradually shifted away from Leninist one-party states. Civil society and the media promoted greater freedom of thought and speech. Africa’s political institutions are growing and maturing. Ghana has been a leader of democracy in Africa. The country has held seven democratic elections since 1992. Power has transferred peacefully several times. The adoption of democracy fueled explosive economic growth. Many African nations are rapidly developing. To the West, Africa is often misunderstood to be a horrible place of famine and dictatorship. But the truth is much more optimistic. Mahama argued that democracy is a very gradual process. He warned that efforts to impose democracy by force, as in Iraq and Libya, can have very negative results. He contrasted the Middle East with the situation in Africa, where the growth of civil society has fostered a spontaneous emergence of democratic institutions. He identified Ghana as a nation where democratic institutions actually match the character of its people. Otherwise, he warned, democracy cannot take hold if it is imposed by foreign coercion. He pointed to various autocracies which, although they do not have elections, nevertheless improve the lives of everyday people. He expressed optimism that Ghana will inspire its African neighbors to voluntary embrace a representative form of government. 

Women’s rights

Subsidized healthcare and education is provided by Ghana’s government, which is designed to benefit the nation’s families. Women’s empowerment is essential for growing the economy. More girls are going to school. As a result, women are having less children, which reduces child mortality. Children are receiving vaccines. Women’s participation in the economy directly benefits the family, because it helps them to better care for their children. 

Ecological challenges

With a population of over two billion, Africa faces new challenges to provide food security and a reliable source of freshwater. There are environmental challenges. Fossil fuels are needed to industrialize, but these also have harmful effects for climate change. Rainfall is becoming less common in West Africa, disrupting agricultural cycles. The world is moving in the direction of green energy. Renewable sources of energy are starting to confer a competitive edge in the global economy. There is also the threat of pandemics, which require international cooperation. 

Foreign investment

China has emerged in recent years as a formidable superpower. The Chinese have attempted to expand their influence in Africa. They have pledged billions of dollars for development and infrastructure. Railways, highways, and transmission grids have been built with Chinese money. China’s investment in Africa has been helpful, because it attracts other types of foreign investment as well. Roads and ports are essential for trade. Plants have been constructed using Chinese loans, which enables the African nations to exploit their vast natural resources. But China’s foreign investment has not been without consequences. The influx of Chinese migrants has resulted in rampant illegal mining. This is especially harmful, because the Chinese are equipped with highly sophisticated modern technology. This has forced African governments to deport some Chinese people, which has created friction with China’s government. The situation is also true of other Asian nationals. The world is growing increasingly interconnected and globalized. The United States and its allies have also pledged foreign aid to develop Africa. 

Border disputes

When the Spanish gave up control of Western Sahara, a war broke out Morocco and the Polisario Front. The Front is regarded by the United Nations as the legitimate representative of the Sahrawi people. Another crisis involves the secession of South Sudan. The conflict there is exacerbated by sharp ethnic hatred, which makes it very hard to resolve. More than mere military intervention is needed. Reconciliation between the ethnic factions is crucial. Peace and stability in Africa is necessary to encourage diasporas to return home. National missions maintain contact with emigrants living abroad. Reforms regarding passports and citizenship have enabled greater freedom of travel between African nations. 

John Mahama’s Lecture: