By Martin MBEWE

A child’s birth is greeted with much expectation, from the parents in particular. They expect their child to be able to achieve milestones like crab-crawling, standing, eating, walking upright, and even running as they grow older.

There is a specific order to achievements like these, and these attempts at taking charge of one’s life get more complicated as a person moves towards adulthood.

If a child never gets to experience these stages in life, there would certainly be reason to start worrying.

The existence of a disability, in this case, can be a strong possibility.

A number of African nations became independent over six decades ago, shedding colonial oppression in pursuit of self-sustenance, advancement, and wealth.

Ghana, Senegal, Nigeria, Zambia, Kenya, Tanzania, DR Congo, and Sudan are some of the African nations that became independent over 60 years ago.

Malawi is set to mark the age of 61 this coming July and she still depends on foreign aid.

Turning 60 is considered elderly, someone expected to be independent, capable of making significant choices and providing for dependents.

In a world where development is expected, here we are, over sixty years later and still crawling.

What is puzzling is how so many African nations are still struggling to sustain themselves sixty years later.

Why are they still waiting for approval or financial help from their colonial rulers?

With such abundant resources: gold, oil, diamonds, and fertile land, how does a continent remain impoverished?

There is indeed reason to wonder what went wrong if someone is still dependent at 60 just as they were at birth.

Who gets to take the blame for the African case? Is it the western powers who abandoned their colonies but never really let go? Or is it us for not doing enough to break free from this cycle of dependency?

Recently, the United States President, Donald Trump, stated that he was halting foreign aid from the US to many countries, some of which are in Africa.

This decision has sparked debate because it has led to the disruption of essential programs in health, education, and food.

In Malawi, for instance, the decision has resulted in thousands of people being deprived of care which has subsequently hurt the country’s growth.

If the aid freeze is not managed properly, it does stand to reason that the progress of sustainable development in Malawi will be hindered, and simultaneously, deeper levels of poverty and inequality will be witnessed in a country that is already struggling to provide for its vulnerable population.

I agree that, while President Trump’s decision is certainly audacious, it moves us towards an unpleasant reality.

In my view, I believe this is an opportunity for African countries to reassess their self-sufficiency strategies instead of relying exclusively on aid.

There has to be a different way to approach how we take care of our problems.

Having been independent for sixty years means former colonies and developing countries in general can yield new systems, new initiatives, and seize control of their future.

Take Malaysia, Singapore, and South Korea for example. They evolved from economical imperialism into great superpowers. If they can do it, what is stopping Africa?

Is it poor leadership from those who choose to enrich themselves instead of aiding the continent? Or is it systematic corruption where money allocated to building roads, schools, or hospitals – essential infrastructure – disappears into private bank accounts?

Or is it an issue of accepting an ominous possibility that no development can be realised without foreign interference? These are pertinent questions that need to be answered.

In my view, Africa has suffered in the last sixty years due to factors such as capital flight – the illegal outflow of money by a country’s leaders and corporations to foreign banks.

This practice has drained the continent of important funds stunting economic progress and consequently worsening poverty levels.

According to a report published by the African Development Bank, Africa lost around US$2 Trillion between 1970 and 2018 due to capital flight, which is well above the continent’s external debt.

Time has come for the continent to stop relying on foreign aid.

We also need to stop blaming other civilizations for enslaving us while failing to take responsibility for our present and future.

Furthermore, we need to define what true independence is because true independence is not just political; it is economic, intellectual, and psychological.

It is about breaking free from the idea that we are “forever victims.”

A child who refuses to grow is a concern. A 60-year-old who still crawling is an absolute tragedy. Africa must ask itself: Is it ready to stand? To walk? To run?

Because the world will not wait for it forever, and sadly, may take advantage of the continent’s slow development pace. The time to rise is now.

About the author: Martin MBEWE is a Development Communications Specialist from Lilongwe, Malawi