G8 Uncovered (German subtitles)

Damned by Debt Relief challenges the Live8-G8 debt relief jamboree. Eloquent and angry Ghanaians cut through the spin and explain; debt relief provided no new money and draconian conditions applied. Damned by donor diktat, Ghanaians are not impressed by the West's supposed largesse.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• g8
• africa
• ghana
• worldwrite
• dingle
• debt
• relief
• aid
• trade
• development
• international
• ngo
• economics
• democracy
• sustainability

[worldwrite]

I think you have missed the point randy109, if you have been following this for 50 years you will know that that the poverty reduction strategies introduced as condionalities under HIPC and rubber stamped at Gleneagles in 2005 (MDRI) are a whole new ball game and more insidious and anti-democratic than anything we have seen since colonialism. Sadly most NGO's and anti poverty campaigners have not only missed this point but campaigned for these strings.

[badraLou]

They tie conditions to debt even for countries that are perfect examples of democracy like Mali, Ghana, Senegal but I have to blame Africans themselves. The West didn't have it handed to them, they adapted. If they did, so can we. I mean look at China 30 years ago and how they've turned things around and brought the fight to the West's backyard. We need private investment and the Africans overseas can and must do better.

[lehon01]

Ithink is easy to change the wrold with donations and gift , if you give to a poor person he or she will appricate, and forever remenber you

[pwg9]

correction: "it's" own devices

[pwg9]

I just really doubt that leaving Ghana to their own devices is a much better idea than giving conditional loans. But obviously I can't be sure.

[badenoch111]

pwq9 is mistaken, and so is randy109. The 2005 Debt relief package was a) about peanuts b)about more intervention in the 3rd world and c)about the abrogation of sovereignty. Ghana can come up with their own experts and proposals and it seems want more loans. From the Jubilee 2000 campaign to Live8, debt relief campaigners delude themselves and the public.

[pwg9]

And even though these guys (who ARE citizens and who are NOT creatures) want to "come up with their own proposals", I think they're just pissed off that the microloans are mostly going to women.

[pwg9]

Randy109 has a point. Profitable investments from well intentioned groups (ie, World Bank) will tend to be correlated with sustainable investments. Instructing people on how to spend the money you are lending them is not "repugnant"; in fact expert economists are probably better at helping them plan where to invest. And if the country is correct in "deeming a certain sector" "very important" then it is unlikely this is a sector in which they will not be allowed to spend their loans. Right?

[randy109]

Hey, It's all business. They'll get debt relief, fight off the "vultures" (debt collectors) and learn from it. If the so-called citizens of the third world would rise up against the corruption of their leaders the situation wouldn't have been created in the first place. Do you REALLY believe that corporate boards wouldn't step on their own mothers to pick up another nickel?? I didn't "miss the point", I'm pragmatic. Don't act shocked or naive when you're playing in the big leagues.

[pakkinen]

we didnt force them to borrow the money? it seems as it is you the one not paying attention....