The subject of “Aid” is perhaps the hottest topic on the African continent, but for a variety of reasons. I came across the following video clip which I believe hits the nail on the head when it comes to international donor aid. No doubt there will be many out there who will denounce the presenter, Ernest Sirolli’s message, but as an African myself I can attest to the many examples of wasted opportunity and bullying which has occurred and continues (till this day) by NGO’s who believe they know better than any what is good for this continent. Thanks to the egotism of most politicians it is easy for such NGO’s to bulldoze their way into lucrative contracts which in most instances never see the light of day, or are so poorly implemented by outsiders, that the target country inevitably has to start all over again at its own cost. Anglo-Saxon involvement and meddling is a particular case in point … brazenly advancing the argument of ‘saving Africa from the Africans!’ I have experienced this several times in the last 15 years. Africa to donors has become little more than a box of Lego – where handpicked consultants experiment – upending all the coloured blocks and after 5 years or more leave a pile of blocks in no better arrangement than what they found when they first arrived. Sadly, the ‘developed nations’ have gotten the whole world into a financial mess and, now more than ever, will apply pressure on African governments into newer and more lucrative deals, because there are no more opportunities in their own back yards. The methods are the same, even the players are the same, just the stakes are now higher. Why, because China and the East are now the new ‘trading partners’ with a bit more bargaining power. Enjoy the video!
About the speaker
Ernesto Sirolli is a noted authority in the field of sustainable economic development and is the Founder of the Sirolli Institute, an international non-profit organization that teaches community leaders how to establish and maintain Enterprise Facilitation projects in their community. The Institute is now training communities in the USA, Canada, Australia, England and Scotland.
In 1985, he pioneered in Esperance, a small rural community in Western Australia, a unique economic development approach based on harnessing the passion, determination, intelligence, and resourcefulness of the local people. The striking results of “The Esperance Experience” have prompted more than 250 communities around the world to adopt responsive, person-centered approaches to local economic development similar to the Enterprise Facilitation® model pioneered in Esperance. Source: TED.com
What Happened to the Portcullis? 
Oh my goodness! Amazing article dude! Thank you so much, However I am experiencing troubles with your RSS.
I don’t know why I can’t join it. Is there anybody getting identical RSS issues?
Anyone who knows the solution will you kindly respond?
Thanks!!