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Why handouts are outdated

By Alexander Carpenter
From small scale projects to HIV/AIDS programmes NGOs (Non-Governmental
Organisations) charities and aid agencies are everywhere in the
developing world. They are all the rage in the West too, and are seen
as the good people who want to save Africa. But, however well meaning
NGOs may be, their programmes often get up the noses of everyone, from
African fishermen to shanty town inhabitants. Their idea of improving
people’s lives by promoting the basics only are a far cry from the
aspirations of those they seek to help. Serious development and growth
is definitely not in the NGO dictionary. Shot in Ghana, Godbless,
Waffa, Deroy and local fishermen and women are articulate and angry.
They loathe the peanuts offered and sanctimonious lessons in good
behaviour. They want industry, jobs and material advancement and for
NGOs and aid agencies to stop treating them like children. As Godbless
tells us: “Africans have big brains, big aspirations….and want to live
in liberty.”

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