I've often wondered if very weak, import dependent economies best bet is actually to massively boost employment in labour intensive, less import dependant public services that improve the labour supply in the country. So health, education and labour intensive public works. It seems to me it would generate domestic demand through local currency wages, improve the quality of labour supply which is a massive issue for business and the administrations and not further exacerbate balance of trade issues. Donor funding could be directed (more heavily) towards infrastructure to match currencies to the high imports required. I am not an economist, although I deal a lot with governments, so am probably mis-understanding completely around inflation and cash generation via central banks to hit the payroll, but have been struck by Hon, David Sengeh's success in Sierra Leone and hope it will bear fruit.
There are 190 or so ambassadors to the United States who could write a similar diatribe about poor infrastructure, insufficient government service provision, and poor health and development outcomes in this country. The days when the US could be the arbiter of good governance have long sailed. But hey when you have no clothes, then performative outbursts just might deflect attention from your naked state.
Thank you so much for this piece! I have worked as a policy development expert and a human rights lawyer now in Philanthropy for the past 18 years and this was the missing link in our AU, UN and even Amnesty International research, analysis, advocacy and campaign. I hope we get to meet and team up to find solutions for our beautiful continent and the rest of the Southern Socio-Cultural Regions aka Majority World
I've often wondered if very weak, import dependent economies best bet is actually to massively boost employment in labour intensive, less import dependant public services that improve the labour supply in the country. So health, education and labour intensive public works. It seems to me it would generate domestic demand through local currency wages, improve the quality of labour supply which is a massive issue for business and the administrations and not further exacerbate balance of trade issues. Donor funding could be directed (more heavily) towards infrastructure to match currencies to the high imports required. I am not an economist, although I deal a lot with governments, so am probably mis-understanding completely around inflation and cash generation via central banks to hit the payroll, but have been struck by Hon, David Sengeh's success in Sierra Leone and hope it will bear fruit.
There are 190 or so ambassadors to the United States who could write a similar diatribe about poor infrastructure, insufficient government service provision, and poor health and development outcomes in this country. The days when the US could be the arbiter of good governance have long sailed. But hey when you have no clothes, then performative outbursts just might deflect attention from your naked state.
Thank you so much for this piece! I have worked as a policy development expert and a human rights lawyer now in Philanthropy for the past 18 years and this was the missing link in our AU, UN and even Amnesty International research, analysis, advocacy and campaign. I hope we get to meet and team up to find solutions for our beautiful continent and the rest of the Southern Socio-Cultural Regions aka Majority World
The letter sounds more like an outsider running for office than an ambassador to a sovereign nation.
Patronising dick. No doubt he was aware of this:
https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2023-04-28/ty-article-magazine/.highlight/weapons-training-and-cash-israel-bribed-liberian-officials-for-years-cables-reveal/00000187-c368-d554-a5b7-df6c62ae0000