(Dececember 30, 2010) Brady Yauch writes that a recent World Bank program in India has reignited the debate on when “developing” countries should stand on their own two feet.
Zambia corruption scandal links back to Canada
(November 15, 2010) A corruption scandal in Zambia involving top officials in the Health Ministry has links to Canadian foreign aid, writes Brady Yauch.
Tax happy: Another African leaders says taxation a better way to promote development
(November 12, 2010) More evidence on the growing chorus of African leaders that say a more efficient taxation system beats foreign aid in promoting development, writes Brady Yauch.
How Europe Contributes to Ethiopia’s Repression
(October 21, 2010) Ethiopia may be a model on some issues, but not on human rights, writes Leslie Lefkow.
Rewarding corruption: World Bank gives more money to corruption-riddled Uganda
(October 14, 2010) While corruption in Uganda becomes more endemic, the World Bank continues to hand over millions of dollars of foreign aid funds – not realizing that this money is making the situation worse, writes Brady Yauch.
Why good governance matters more in Africa than aid
(September 30, 2010) Trying to achieve the targets set out in the Millennium development goals is worthwhile, but relying on foreign aid handouts, rather than internal policies to do so, is not, writes Franklin Cudjoe from African Liberty.org.
Moyo: international aid to Africa spurs corruption
(April 2, 2010) Billions of dollars in international financial aid do more harm than good on the African continent, economist and best-selling author Dambisa Moyo said in a lecture to students on Thursday. In the lecture, held in Filene Auditorium, Moyo argued that continued financial aid to African nations allows political leaders to ignore their responsibilities to the population in favor of appeals to potential donors.
Anti-rape funds in Congo wasted: critics
(March 14, 2010) Since 2006, Canada has poured $15-million in government money into a massive foreign campaign against the sexual violence in Congo. But Ms. Bihamba, who as leader of a women’s group spent lonely years speaking out against the problem, is now one of a growing number of skeptics who question whether this money is achieving its goals.
Ethiopia aid diverted for rebel arms in 1980s: BBC
(March 4, 2010) Millions of dollars of international aid for victims of the mid-1980s famine in Ethiopia was diverted to rebels to buy weapons in the African country, a BBC investigation reported Wednesday.
Foreign aid takes another blow–this time in Australia
(March 3, 2010) Criticism of the high salaries being offered to contractors working with AusAID, Austrialia’s national aid agency, is the latest example of the increased scrutiny facing aid agencies around the world. The criticism comes after a recent audit showed that a number of aid workers are earning more money than the country’s Prime Minister. And they’re doing so tax-free.
Africa: It’s tough love weaning Africa off aid
(January 16, 2010) Aid is an unmitigated, political and humanitarian disaster, declares Zambian economist Dambisa Moyo, in her book, "Dead Aid: Why Aid Is Not Working and How There Is a Better Way for Africa." Hers is such a "tough love" prescription that the author has had to dodge a punch in Toronto, Canada, and has had tomatoes thrown at her elsewhere.
Dutch politician asks if aid really aids
(December 11, 2009) Arend Jan Boekestijn’s book deals a new blow to the position of development aid in the Dutch political landscape, which seemed unassailable until recently. For decades, the subject was taboo.
Corruption and Bribery as a Way of Life in Africa
(October 26, 2009) Corruption happens at many different levels of bureaucracy, and has become a way of life. According to Transparency International, in Africa, the informal sector amounts to more than 40 per cent of the economy in many countries, reaching well over 50 percent in Nigeria and Tanzania. The lack of legal protection and the desire to dodge regulations makes the informal sector easy prey for extortion and the solicitation of bribes by corrupt officials.
Aid has not, does not, and will never, help Africa
(June 23, 2009) In the wake of Dambisa Moyo’s recent book, “Dead Aid: Why Aid is Not Working and How There is A Better Way for Africa”, the debate surrounding aid to African countries has, again, taken center stage.
African leaders call for the DIY approach
(June 6, 2009) As the economic crisis continues to work its way across the globe, the plight of African countries has been used as a reason for increasing foreign aid to the developing world. But a new tone has taken root amongst lawmakers in Africa, with a number of African leaders saying its time for leaders across the continent to find ways to fix problems without relying so heavily on foreign aid.