G20 and the global economic crises Views within our borders

The G20 summit has just concluded in London in n the mid of a global economic downturn.

At the end of this important meeting the group issued a communiqué reiterating its commitment to providing solutions to the crash that has left the stock exchanges market in red. Only South Africa and Ethiopia attended a gathering that was entrusted with the arduous task to take the necessary measures that help the world to remedy to this difficult situation. Under the Baobab sounded the opinion of a number of people. Please read on: is an


Madi Jobarteh,Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA)
Well, G20 as the name implies means association of the twenty top countries in terms of economy. It suppose to an informal forum that allows for constructive discussions in order to promote global economic issues. It emerged as a result of economic crisis in the 90s, but its decisions are not binding on member states at the same time they can serves as a foundation for improvement of some developing countries. This financial crisis came from the developing world as a result of the capitalist system. As far as I am concerned, capitalism is a very faulty system, because, in such a system, few people want to acquire the entire resources to the detriment of the majority. Under this dispensation, there is an unfair distribution of resources with the illusion of promoting quality and competition. So, I think there can be better system that can fairly distribute resources in a human way other than the capitalist system.

In the case of Africa, it is not about South Africa been part of the G20. I think Africa in the first place, no matter how well the intention of the G20 is. As long as the present realities in Africa persist it will be difficult to bring about development and progress in the continent. I think, Africa has all the resources and potentials to propel itself into the orbit of development. But our socio- economic and political conditions are such that a lot of things need to be settled inside Africa so as to facilitate any help that can come to Africa.

Otherwise, we will continue to receive aid as we always do and at the end of the day the vast majority of our people will continue to live in poverty, ignorance and diseases and general underdevelopment. South Africa itself has to address a lot of issues at home before G20 can make any effective change in that country. So, for me the issue is not about being represented by 1, 2 or 20 countries in the G20. The issue is for Africa to fix itself and nobody can do that expect the Africans. To cut things short, I don’t think the G20 wants to solve the financial crises in then interest of humanity, they are doing it for their own interest.

Lamin Gaye,Banker
In terms of representation at the G20 summit, Africa is quite under represented. That is a fact, but I am sure that the world leaders will take note of Africa’s position in the context of the global financial crises. They must not loose sight that Africa has some big financing gaps that need to be addressed.

The financial gap between Africa and the West is quite wide and the message has been put across the world leaders. Although Africa was under-represented, I don’t think that will affect us as far as the world leaders are aware of our plight. So I think Africa can still put hope on the G20 for development. The global financial crisis is not the making of Africa but the impact has been greatly felt. Ranging from the reduction of remittances from the West, trade, tourism and a lost of other sectors are affected. But Africa has opportunities; we have the resources. So, we should increase trade among ourselves. We should not always be depending on the West.

Ahmed Jegan Loom,AIDS worker
If Africa is only be represented by south Africa at the G20 summit, then it means Africa had a lone voice at the summit and in this type of conferences, when you have a high power delegation it can make more impact than just one country representing the whole of Africa. I don’t think South Africa alone can make any impact for the continent. Africa as a continent can and cannot rely on the G20for development.

In one sense, when the economy of the west booms, it can have some positive effects on Africa. But as you are seeing now there is lot of economic problems in the world and the west will fight for their own economy first that means that Africa cannot rely on the G20 but rather should struggle for her self infact donors are now cutting funds for projects for example is the reproductive health and this is very serious. As I said, the G20 is trying to salvage their own economies first. Since when this problem started, all the developed countries have injected millions of dollars in to their economy as bail out packages but noting was done for Africa.

This shows that if we don’t do it on our own all the problems facing the west recently made face Africa as well. I think the only way out for Africa is to diversify her economy. Wee have to see how to get rid of corruption because it squanders the little resources we have, bring in more physical policies that will permit us to venture into things like agriculture, fishing if we want to have a sustain economy of Africa.

Dr Buhari Sillah, HOD, economics and management Sciences,UTG
The problem of Africa is what we can call in development economics dependency. We feel that we cannot do things on our own without depending on the West for their prescriptions and policies they advocate through the International Monetary Fund and World Bank. Africa has to move way from acting under diktat of the West.

Paradoxically, the West is bailing out their companies, providing subsidies, cutting tariffs and they are telling Africans that they should not do those things in the interest of free trade. When we are not at the same competitive level with them. The G20 can trade among them because they are at part in terms of production, but when it comes to Africa it will be disadvantageous for us.. So, Africa has to protect her indigenous market.

The world economy is so big that for Africa to triumph in it we must integrate. Our individual states cannot service the global economic competition.  Africa should shape her economy in line with our existing realities until when we are industrialized.

Ismailia FM Badjie, Development Studies student,UTG
The G20 summit can make positive impacts on Africa, but can also have some negative consequences. Because, if we look at the people who represented the continent at the summit, they are those who dance to the tune of the West and therefore I do not think they can present our plight to the core. Much more, Africa must should not be still waiting for the West to help her.  We, as Africans, must learn to answer our own question, solve our own problems. Because anytime a problem arises, there is a solution. One thing we should take into consideration, is that if two people are hungry and one of them found food, he will eat first before giving it to you.

So, the G20 or the West is in financial crises, Africa has its own problems. If the G20 is to solve any problem, it will be their own problem first. What I think is tangible is to the African Union to be vibrant and champion the course of Africa to the benefit of her people. Furthermore African leaders should endeavor not to betray the confidence of the masses bestowed on them.

Ecoma Eson, Economics student,UTG
The G20 is an organization that is focused on the interest of its members. Having Africa in the group to me is not that much important because we have the resources to deal with our problems. So, what is important is the political will to develop. The African Union can be instrumental in this.