April 7, 2023

What to write?

I have contemplated for months what my blog should be about. Finding a niche can be hard when you are multi Talented 😉 and have many interests. There was also the occasional self-doubt of “I am not a writer” and will my content be good enough for people to read. Well after the self-doubt, here I am braving into this world of blogging/ writing. Knowing that tomorrow’s article will be better than today’s and that, if I end up being the only one who reads my blog, then maybe I have curated a journal of my thoughts and experiences. A place where I can always look back and self examine, noting my progress, life journey and exciting moments. I would have a well catalogued archive of Grace.

What is my niche?

If you have gone through the website you will know I am a pan-Africanist, an impact consultant, teacher, project manager and self dubbed cheerleader for African women micro small and medium-sized enterprises. I am a policy advocate and currently enrolled into the School of Politics Policy and Governance 😁, implying I am also a student. Most important to me is I advocate for #ChooseKindness, I do believe that in face of everything if we choose kindness for ourselves and other, the world will be a much better place. And I salute everyone who INTENTIONALLY choses kindness even when the odds are not in your favour. My niche is all of the above, occasionally I may step away from my work to share other parts of myself.

Kindness is something anyone can give without losing anything themselves.

Raktivist

Welcome

Well, now we know what we are here for, so buckle your seat belts and enjoy the ride. The objective is to post an article every Saturdays, I trust myself to stay faithful to this goal and if I fail I hope you would hold me accountable. As I share my work and life with you, I humbly ask that you leave a comment, question, or feedback. It will help me know how best to curate content you like.

Welcome once more and see you next Saturday for another post.

April 7, 2023

How to Live with Purpose

Hello and welcome to my very first article of 2023, I had a couple of topics in mind but, given we are in the spirit of new beginnings, this piece won the elections. It was not until 2019 that I started the process of articulating what my purpose was and in 2020 I shared a piece about it on my LinkedIn. Before I arrived at this milestone, my life was a series of unending existential crises, cause like most of you, I didn’t just want a job … call it privilege, but I wanted more than a job, I wanted a mission. My friend Regina used to say “it’s over sabi that is your problem”… lol.

So yay me, I found my purpose, I know what I want to spend my life doing, I have a mission, and I honestly hand to God believed that was going to be it. Having identified it, it was going to be all kumbaya, and you know my life will be like a Tom Cruise Mission Impossible sequel where I get to save the world. I just had an outburst of laughter and some tears. That wasn’t how it turned out. The last 3 years have rather been a Bridget Jones film where It’s just as hard walking and working in your purpose. To answer your question, yes. I still have existential crises with a garnish of self-doubt.

I had a moment I stood right there, and my life flashed before my eyes, and I remember the lines from one of my favourite books The Subtle Art of not giving a F*ck, which reads “hell is dying, and seeing what you could be, and what you were”. I imagine myself being trapped in this loop, where I have died, and I keep seeing how small my life was in comparison to all the things I could’ve had and done. You know… like when you negotiate a job offer, and you’re excited, thinking you got the best deal. You are on cloud nine and nobody can touch you, I imagine you listening to Best Day of My Life by the American Authors on repeat. But wait day 1 on the job you realised you short-changed yourself by a lot and other people in the same role earn probably 10 times more than you … Yikes, and it gets worse, there is a clause on your contract, this offer is for eternity, you will never get to renegotiate, you are stuck. That’s my mind sporadically and it sucks.

Finding your purpose is one thing and fulfilling your purpose is another journey all together, and I believe a lot of emphasis has been placed on the former. So how do I live with my purpose? You learn. It is a continuous journey of progress and iteration not to the mission but to how we attain this mission. Taking purposeful steps to accomplish your dreams. In Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist the lines “when you really want something the entire universe conspires in your favour” is my favourite from the book. It teaches me that if I know what I want and work towards it then everything else works in my favour. That said Ladies and gents here are a few ways you can learn to live with purpose.

• Stop overthinking; I am not going to belabour the point, but please read Soundtrack by Jon Acuff. The time overthinking steals from you is time you can make your dreams come true.
• Take Small steps every day; like James Clear explains in Atomic Habits make 1% progress every day and by the end of the year you will be 37% better. Finding purpose doesn’t make you a magician, there is no magic wand, but you can take purposeful steps every day to improve. How do we achieve better results and take small daily actions to improve? Every day identify your 1% and do it.
• Have a community; I recently watched the YouTube video of the girl who won the Guinness World Book Record for the highest number of Burpees. She did Burpees for 24 hours. I had tears at the end of that video and part was because I can’t even do 1 burpee, I hate them and every gym instructor or trainer I have ever had knows this. Do Not put a burpee in my face. But here is this girl who did it for 24 hours, and surpassed her initial set goal of 5000, she did almost 7,000. Mind Blown. What was interesting to watch in that video was her community, she had people who believed in her, who took care of her after every set, carried her to the washroom, fed her, and towards the end joined her in getting in that last rep. It was phenomenal and if you ask me everyone in that room with her won that award because I do not believe she would have done it alone. I mean have you ever tried massaging your calves, how effective is it. So my friend find your people, your tribe, people who will believe in you, invest in you. People who will cheer you own and remind you to be gracious to yourself. Community is essential to success.
• Positive mindset; I read an article that said research shows people with positive attitudes have better skin, wow, so your negativity could be the reason your skincare doesn’t work… don’t look at me, I don’t know either. I am not about to motivate you, but you have to believe you can do it. And this is not you can fly type of bullshit. With your actions, and community you have to become a positive person. Jon Acuff says you have to be ridiculously optimistic about life in a way that makes you doubt your own sanity. Cynics don’t change the world my darling. The story of everyone who has been great, you will never hear them say oh I thought I was going to fail, I planned on failing, and I still don’t believe in all this, life sucks, but anyway I still got the award so thanks. If you have please share that with me via email I would like to study them.

I could add other things like getting a mentor, and get a sponsor (btw these can be one person or two different people) but these people are part of your community.

I want you to remember that it’s okay to get tired, to doubt your purpose, to feel discouraged and quite frankly to want to resign. But there are blessings in battles so when you have those days, say a prayer in your heart and find the strength to still do your 1 per cent. That is my goal this year, not to be resigned to whatever life throws at me or just take it but even in the acceptance of my feelings and situation, do my 1% for the day. Today my 1% was writing this article and I hope you enjoyed it.

Happy New Year 2023. May the year be kind to us and may we daily find the courage to live with our calling.

April 7, 2023

Urban planning and the urgency for a resilient Africa

It is 2023 and in all my visits across the continent, I am yet to visit or live in an African city that doesn’t flood when it rains. 

I know we are all excited about the possibilities of the new year, but some part of me is still stuck in the horrendous floods that plagued the south-eastern and south-southern regions of Nigeria last year — and these sad weather occurrences weren’t only in Nigeria. Douala, Kumba, Limbe in Cameroon, Kinshasa -DRC, and many others were not spared.

Taking a look at the trends and drawing from research as well as similar incidences around the world, we can all agree that these damaging phenomena are the handiwork of our dear friend, Ms Climate Change.

While West and Central Africa prayed for some dryness, over 21 million people in Somalia, Kenya, and Ethiopia faced a huge food security crisis. In fact, about 1.7 million people in Somalia were displaced due to prolonged drought (NASA Earth Observatory, 2022).

Before we continue, I would like to say that I am not an expert in the subject, but having lived in several African cities, I have the authority to speak on it from my perspective and experience.

Let us take a look at some definitions…

The McGill School of Urban Planning defines urban planning as the “technical and political process concerned with the welfare of people, control of the use of land, design of the urban environment (including transportation and communication networks) and protection and enhancement of natural processes.” 

I love this definition because it does not only capture the technical and political aspects of urban planning but also states its primary goal as being concerned with the welfare of people. So, when major streets and boulevards are designed with no pedestrian paths, I do not believe you care about the well-being of the people or think that we are not allowed to walk on streets.

I first came across the term “urban resilience” during the initial stages of planning the Congo Bulaya Project when I worked with Centre d’Innovation Lubumbashi. Urban resilience, as defined by the Resilient Cities Network, is the capacity of a city’s systems, businesses, institutions, communities, and individuals to survive, adapt, and thrive no matter what chronic stresses and acute shocks they experience.

It calls for the comprehensive evaluation of the capacity and risks that cities have and are exposed to, and the intentional engagement with the most vulnerable members of the community. 

From droughts to flooding, increase in internal displacements both due to insecurity and climate disasters, and rapid migration in search for better economic prospects, all these expose cities to a range of shocks and stresses — both natural and man-made — which they have to prepare for. 

The image below is some facts and figures on urban challenges by the UN-Habitats Urban Resilience Hub, which also describes a resilient city as a city that “assesses, plans and acts to prepare for and respond to all hazards – sudden and slow-onset, expected and unexpected”.

Going by the above definitions, a city cannot be resilient without the right planning. Therefore, in the initial design process of a city, experts, politicians, and communities have to:

i) Intentionally co-create spaces and build communities that are functional

ii) Consider the welfare of the people and ensure their safety in the likelihood of a crisis, shock, or stress (be it man-made or natural).

Now, let’s explore Lagos. I have been fortunate to live in Africa’s most populous city for about 2 years now and counting. Prior to my relocation, the one thing all my research and contacts pointed to was the “Lagos Floods”.

The advice I got from friends ranged from “Make sure you find accommodation in a community that doesn’t flood” to “Don’t live on the first floor”. I have heard rumours of communities and buildings that flood so much during the rainy season that the ground floor is inhabitable.

We have seen this happen in Kinshasa and Doula as well, yet, after all these years, there seems to be no progress on this particular issue — and it goes beyond the floods. It’s the traffic in these cities, the accidents, the waste management problems, the inadequate water supply, and the noise.

I did a comparative analysis of the population growth rate of Lagos to that of London and as you would expect, Lagos has grown exponentially since the 1950s when compared to almost any European city. 

In 1950, London was home to over 8,360,000 people while Lagos had a population of 325,000 people. Fast-forward to 73 years later, Lagos is now home to an estimated 15.9 million people (some argue that the city is at 18-24 million inhabitants and London is at an estimated 9.6 million people).

This is a trend that goes beyond Lagos but affects all major economic cities in Africa. If these cities are growing/will continue to grow in population exponentially, then urban resilience becomes of the utmost urgency.

Have you ever wondered what would have become of Africa if the torrential rains and floods that hit Europe in 2021 happened on the continent? I have nightmares just thinking of what would happen if we had an earthquake or tsunami in these parts of the world.

The reason we experience greatly the negative effects of climate change compared to other regions is the clear lack of preparedness, lack of infrastructure, little to no planning, and snail-like steps by governments and community leaders in addressing the problems.

The 2021 World Risk Poll by Lloyd Register Foundation in partnership with Gallup gathered the polling sample from 125,000 people across 121 countries. The report covered risks across the digital world, COVID-19, and climate change. 

The Understanding Vulnerability in a Changing Climate part of the report revealed that, in contrast to South-East Asia where 71% of the respondents asserted to be prepared in the event of a climate crisis, only 29% in West and Central Africa could make the same claim. I didn’t take the survey, but I know that I am not among the 29%.

The report further assessed the confidence level of individuals in their national government, hospitals, and local government in terms of disaster preparedness.

Unsurprisingly, the confidence levels in Central/Western Africa were all below 50%, and rightfully so. Even I wouldn’t trust the dentists in the region… again, my lived experience tells me not to.

Overall, an underwhelming 56% of respondents from the region said their government did not care about them at all.

I understand that we score relatively low to other continents when it comes to responding to disasters and shocks as the most predominant form of natural disasters experienced on the African continent is flood/heavy rain followed by drought and wildfire.

Notwithstanding, statistics have shown an increase in its occurrence over the years, implying that we may soon get to the same levels as Southeast Asia and other parts of the world. As such, it is of paramount importance that communities, governments, you (yes, you!), and I take intentional steps in improving our resilience ratings.

Simple things like reducing your carbon and plastic footprint, planting trees, having a plan, voting for the right representatives, and actively working with them to co-create more resilient and sustainable communities will go a long way in plugging future disasters.

Like it or not, climate change is real and disasters are bound to happen. While we can’t control when or how it happens, we can control our ability to respond to it.

I plead with all residents and governments in vulnerable communities to take purposeful action. Let us ditch the reactive mode of waiting for another rainy season to start responding to crises, for the proactive mode of planning ahead.

It is only through intentional, proactive, purposeful, and inclusive actions that we can build better communities.

April 7, 2023

Communities at the Center of Urban Resilience in Africa 

Image Source: Canva Images

Starting this article was a challenge for me as I struggled to find the right structure to convey my thoughts effectively. 

In my previous article, Urban Planning and the Urgency for a Resilient Africa, I highlighted how climate crises and shocks in Africa are exacerbated by inadequate or non-existent urban planning and resilience systems. 

Unfortunately, a recent flood in Buea, the capital of Cameroon’s South West region, resulting in the loss of lives and property, further necessitated the urgency of the issue. 

However, what is concerning is the failure of African governments to assess the value of loss caused by inefficiencies in urban and rural centres, making it difficult to prioritize and design strategies that improve community resilience.

As I reflected on the issue, I decided to structure my thoughts in four key areas:

1. The intersection of geopolitics and technology in building resilient cities 
2. Community-led climate change resilience – the case of the ADB 
3. How African communities can adopt the ADB model; and 
4. Climate Action Africa’s Resilient Neighbors Program

The Intersection of Geopolitics and Technology in Building Resilient Cities 

Image source: This is a compilation of 3 images from markduerksen.com, World Habitat and the Punch

Urban planning and resilience in Africa are closely intertwined with geopolitics and technology. Geopolitical factors such as historical legacies, economic power dynamics, and political instability shape the urban environment in Africa and influence how cities are planned, developed, and managed. 

In a report on urban governance in Africa, the Overseas Development Institute (ODI) notes that historical legacies of colonialism and structural adjustment programs have had a profound impact on urban development in Africa, leading to spatial inequalities and a lack of access to basic services. 

Most of our city settlements were not designed and planned around the indigenes and residents of the land but rather planned and built to fit neocolonial interests. Marry this with political instability, economic growth, rural-urban migration, and conflict, and we find ourselves in the structural or unstructured nightmare that is most urban settlements. 

To paint a vivid picture of the above statement, let me take you through some of the cities that were/are structured around our colonial and post-colonial history.

Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo

Kinshasa is one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing cities, but it is plagued by poor infrastructure, widespread poverty, and political instability. 

Much of the city’s post-colonial design was focused on serving the needs of the colonial powers rather than the local population, leading to significant disparities in access to basic services like water, electricity, and healthcare. 

For instance, many of Kinshasa’s poorer neighbourhoods are located on the outskirts of the city and lack basic infrastructure, such as running water and sanitation services. These neighbourhoods were originally built during the colonial era to house African labourers, and their design often reflects a lack of consideration for the needs of the local population.

Johannesburg, South Africa

Johannesburg is a city that has been deeply impacted by the legacy of apartheid, which created deep social and economic inequalities between different racial groups. 

While much progress has been made since the end of apartheid in 1994, many residents still live in impoverished townships without access to basic services like running water and electricity.

Lagos, Nigeria

Lagos is a rapidly growing city that is home to more than 20 million people, making it one of the largest cities in the world. 

However, the city’s infrastructure has struggled to keep up with this rapid growth, leading to problems like traffic congestion, air pollution, and limited access to basic services like healthcare and education.

Luanda, Angola

Luanda is a city that has been deeply impacted by years of civil war and political instability, which have left many residents living in poverty and struggling to access basic services like healthcare and education. 

The city’s post-colonial design has also led to significant inequalities in access to housing and other basic needs.

Harare, Zimbabwe

Harare is a city that has been negatively impacted by years of political and economic turmoil, which have led to widespread poverty and limited access to basic services like water and electricity. 

The city’s post-colonial design has also led to problems like traffic congestion and limited access to public transportation.

These communities represent just a few examples of how post-colonial legacies have contributed to social and economic inequalities within African cities.

Sadly, there is no time to pause and re-evaluate these structures and most of our leaders and politicians are too worried about re-election to disrupt existing structures for the longevity and sustainability of our communities — but all is not lost. Despite our misfortune, technological advancements today have the potential to drive innovation and transform urban systems.  

A study by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) notes that digital technologies such as GIS and remote sensing can be used to support urban resilience in Africa by mapping and analysing data on hazards, vulnerabilities, and risks. 

The African Development Bank also, notes that smart city technologies such as sensors, data analytics, and the Internet of Things (IoT) can improve the efficiency of urban systems such as transportation, energy, and water, reducing waste and increasing resilience to shocks. 

These reports and others buttress the importance of technology and its potential to transform urban systems in Africa, further stating that its adoption must be accompanied by policies and regulations that ensure that its benefits are shared by all, especially as the unethical and ignorant use of technology can further exacerbate existing inequalities and vulnerabilities.

Community-led Climate Change Resilience – the case of the ADB 

Image Source: 2021 Asian Development Bank-Urban Climate Change Resilience Trust Fund

In 2021, the Asian Development Bank, through its Urban Climate Change Resilience Trust Fund, published the Community-Led Urban Resilience Planning, a practical guide to inclusive, community-led resilience planning to make cities more prosperous, resilient, and livable.

In this guide, success cases across Asia where communities were able to unite and work together for resilience were highlighted. In addition to these success stories, 5 priority areas of the bank concerning resilience and how communities can play a critical role in the attainment of its agenda by 2030 were presented.

I find ADB’s approach to be practical as it also offers a playbook to various activists and influencers in the space to move beyond Twitter battles and protests and take action. 

This led me to reflect on how this could be modelled in Africa, by identifying existing frameworks within the AfDB and AU Agenda 2063 and highlighting the role communities can play in its attainment. The full report can be downloaded here. 

Adopting the ADB Model for African Communities

The best way that I believe African communities can adopt the ADB model is by first identifying and highlighting the role of community within existing frameworks and policy documents that seek to contribute to a resilient Africa. The African Development Bank and the African Union have all published strategic documents and report that, when adopted at the local level, will greatly impact our resilience and sustainability. 

Here are some example documents published by the AfDB where you will find its resilience strategy for the continent: 

1. The High 5s for Africa: This document outlines the AfDB’s five strategic priorities, including building a more resilient Africa. It provides an overview of the bank’s approach to promoting resilience, including its focus on climate change, economic diversification, and social protection.

2. Building Resilience for Sustainable Development in Africa: This publication provides a more detailed overview of the AfDB’s approach to resilience. It discusses the key challenges facing the continent, including climate change, conflict, and economic instability, and outlines the bank’s strategies for addressing these challenges.

3. Climate Change and Green Growth Strategy: This document focuses specifically on the AfDB’s approach to promoting climate resilience in Africa. It outlines the bank’s commitment to investing in renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and other initiatives that can help reduce Africa’s vulnerability to the impacts of climate change.

A little confession is, I am a little obsessed with the AU’s Agenda 2063 #TheAfricaWeWant, as I believe that, unlike the SDGs, it provides a more realistic and contextual framework for building the Africa of our dreams. 

I was a little sad to realise this document doesn’t have a clear stance on resilient cities. However, in Aspirations 1 and 5, I denoted references to its desire for sustainability and resilience of our cities. 

Let’s take a look at these aspirations:

Aspiration 1 – A prosperous Africa based on inclusive growth and sustainable development

This Aspiration focuses on building strong and sustainable economies across Africa, with a particular emphasis on promoting inclusive growth and reducing poverty. Resilient cities are essential for achieving this Aspiration, as they can help to promote economic growth and reduce vulnerability to shocks and stresses.

Aspiration 5 – An Africa with a strong cultural identity, common heritage, shared values, and ethics

This Aspiration focuses on promoting cultural diversity and preserving Africa’s rich heritage. Resilient cities can play an important role in achieving this Aspiration, as they can help to preserve cultural landmarks, promote cultural exchange, and support the growth of cultural industries.

All the above-mentioned documents can be downloaded from the AFDB and AU websites. 

Climate Action. Africa’s Resilient Neighbors Program.

I cannot say this enough; the power of the African continent is in the collective! The power of the African continent is in its communities. 

Africa has always failed only when members of our community betray us. Therefore, we must fix and grow our Ubuntu spirit as it’s our fastest route to attaining #TheAfricaWeWant. 

Leveraging the power of community and all that has been said above, I am launching the Resilient Neighbors Program through my startup, Climate Action Africa. 

Our goal under this project is:

• To research existing climate change frameworks, policies, and literature on the continent and cocreate a practical guide that highlights the role of the community in fostering resilient and sustainable communities. 
• To work with communities in testing and implementing this framework to further strengthen our resilience, one community at a time. 

If you would like to contribute to our research work or share success stories of what has worked in your community, kindly contact me through the contact me section of my website. 

I hope that through this project, we would move beyond angry articles and analysis and take action toward building resilient cities. 

April 11, 2023

Silencing Women: From Ancient Witch Hunts to Modern Bullying and Envy

I dedicate this article to my sister and friend Nneka, I am grateful to know you and that you exist in this era.😍❤😍❤

Image Source: All posters

There is a story of a woman who always removed the legs and wings of the chicken before cooking, despite her husband enjoying them. When asked why, she explained that her mother had always prepared chicken that way. When her husband asked her mother, she gave the same response, attributing the practice to something she always saw her mother do. The man then asked his wife’s grandmother; she explained it was because she had only small pots and wanted to prioritize the parts of the chicken her husband liked. 

There lay the problem; this unconscious bequeathing of a cooking tradition had shaped two generations of women. The lesson learned is that without historical context, we may carry on with traditions and cultures that no longer serve us.

As a child, I was bold, confident, and unafraid to speak up for myself and others. However, one incident in which I confronted a predator who had touched me inappropriately led to a series of criticisms from older people who told me to be quieter and more ladylike. This and many other similar factors caused me to lose confidence and become anxious about speaking up.

Reflecting on why women have been silenced in public spaces for generations, I remember learning through conversations with friends that in pre-colonial and colonial eras, women were often persecuted and killed for practising witchcraft, even if they were simply sharing controversial ideas. As a result, mothers began to silence their daughters in an effort to protect them from these accusations. 

This discovery piqued my interest and led me to research this claim, to help me better understand why this happens and within what historical and cultural context it was allowed. 

The Persecution of Witchcraft

Image Source: www.washingtonpost.com

The history of witchcraft accusations and persecution in Africa is complex and diverse, making it challenging to provide a definitive timeline or evidence. Accusations of witchcraft have been used in various African societies to control women who do not conform to traditional gender roles or threaten established social norms. These accusations are often based on superstition, rumours, or hearsay, rather than concrete evidence. 

My research suggests that while this practice dates back to precolonial Africa, it became more widespread during the colonial era when European missionaries and colonizers condemned local spiritual practices as “primitive” or “savage.” This resulted in an increase in witch hunts, with many women being accused of practising witchcraft and subjected to torture, imprisonment, and execution.

Interestingly, the persecution of witches is a global phenomenon, with examples found in both Europe and Africa. In Europe, the peak of witch-hunting occurred between the 15th and 17th centuries, leading to the deaths of tens of thousands of people, predominantly women. 

One of the most infamous examples is the Salem Witch Trials in Massachusetts, which took place in the late 17th century. The Malleus Maleficarum, a medieval treatise on witchcraft, played a significant role in legitimizing the persecution of women in Europe during this period. 

While no accurate estimates have been gathered, it is suggested that between 75% and 85% of those accused and executed were women ( Brian Levack’s “The Witch Hunt in Early Modern Europe,” 1987). 

Although the Malleus Maleficarum and the Salem Witch Trials did not directly involve witchcraft accusations in Africa, they demonstrate how witch-hunting was a global phenomenon, and how religious and cultural beliefs have been used to justify violence against women. 

Despite the fact that witch-hunting has decreased in many parts of the world, there are still reports of witchcraft accusations in some African communities. These accusations are more prevalent in areas where poverty, conflict, and social instability exist. 

Nigeria, for example, has seen high-profile cases of witchcraft accusations against children, leading to their abuse, abandonment, and even murder. Meanwhile, in Tanzania, the government has launched a campaign against witchcraft that has resulted in the arrest and detention of hundreds of people accused of practising witchcraft. 

Overall, the history of witchcraft accusations and persecution in Africa is multifaceted and complex, but it is clear that women have been the primary targets, often being demonized and controlled to maintain the existing social order.

The Suppression of Women’s Abilities and Intelligence and Accusations of Witchcraft

It is worth noting that in certain cultural, historical, and social contexts in Africa, men were also targeted as witches, although women made up the majority of those persecuted due to the prevailing societal beliefs about gender roles. 

For instance, in the late 19th century, in Uganda, there was a case of a man named Isaza, who was accused of using witchcraft to cause the death of a local chief. Isaza was put on trial and sentenced to death, although the sentence was later commuted to life imprisonment. In some parts of Tanzania, men have also been accused of witchcraft and subjected to violent attacks. 

While in this example there is a case of death, for most women, things like miscarriages, infertility, disability, beauty, and even age can all be attributed to witchcraft thereby leading to persecution and sometimes murder. 

Moving on we find a strong connection between the suppression of women’s abilities and intelligence and the historical persecution of women as witches. The belief that women were inherently weaker and more susceptible to temptation and evil influences was a key factor in the widespread persecution of women accused of witchcraft throughout history. 

In many societies, women were denied access to education, political power, and economic opportunities, which left them vulnerable to accusations of witchcraft if they displayed any signs of intelligence or independence. Women who demonstrated knowledge of herbal remedies, for example, were often accused of using their knowledge for evil purposes, such as creating love potions or casting spells. 

Similarly, women who defied gender norms by being too outspoken or sexually active, were typically targeted as witches, as their behaviour was seen as threatening to the established social order. The persecution of women as witches was thus a way for patriarchal societies to maintain control over women’s behaviour and suppress their agency and independence.

We find evidence of this in Isawa Elaigwu’s “Witchcraft and Sorcery in African Traditional Religion,” (2016) which highlights how women’s sexuality, fertility, and age were all used as evidence to persecute them for witchcraft. 

Historian Anne Llewellyn Barstow in her book “Witchcraze: A New History of European Witch Hunts” (1994) argued that the witch hunts of early modern Europe were part of a larger effort to control and suppress women’s agency and independence. More recent research has also highlighted the connection between witchcraft accusations and broader social and economic inequalities. 

For example, a study of witchcraft accusations in contemporary Ghana found that women who were economically independent and had higher levels of education were less likely to be accused of witchcraft (Jemima A. Anderson and Melissa Fisher’s “Gender, Witchcraft, and Accusations in Ghana,” 2016). 

The Silencing of Women as Protection

Based on the evidence available, there may be a connection between the silencing of women in African societies and the witch hunts that took place. 

Some scholars suggest that women may have used strategies such as asking their daughters to keep their intelligence or abilities hidden in public to protect them from harm or discrimination. This could have been motivated by the belief that women were responsible for protecting their children from harm and ensuring their success in life, as they were seen as the primary caretakers and educators of children. 

In some societies, women’s intelligence and abilities were viewed as sacred or powerful, and therefore needed to be kept hidden or protected from the outside world. For instance, in some traditional African religions, women were believed to have special spiritual powers and were seen as the guardians of ancestral wisdom and knowledge. As a result, protecting women’s abilities and knowledge from those who might misuse it could have been considered important. 

However, it is significant to acknowledge that these practices and beliefs varied across different cultures and historical periods, and therefore should be approached with a nuanced and culturally-sensitive perspective.

The Persecution of Modern Witches

The evidence presented suggests that the historical silencing of women in African societies may have originated from a time when women were punished for their intelligence and abilities. However, in the modern world where women are celebrated for their talents and skills, this cultural practice should no longer be acceptable. 

Alas, women continue to face persecution for challenging traditional beliefs and pursuing their desired paths. Women who speak out against abusive power or showcase their exceptional qualities are often subjected to bullying, envy, evil schemes, shaming, and forced into silence, sometimes even by other women.

So, to all my exceptional, brilliant, bold, and unapologetic women, hold your heads up high and exist in your so-called defiance. Live your truth and disrupt all that needs to be disrupted. After all, there may have been a “witch or two in their lineage :).”  

Let’s toast 🥂🍻 to living wholly, intentionally, and unapologetically.

February 2, 2024

The Tightrope Walk of Policy Making in Africa: Balancing Budgets and Ambitions

Navigating the complex terrain of policymaking in Africa can often feel like a high-wire act performed without a safety net. With budgets as tight as a drum and sky-high stakes, crafting effective policies that can foster governance, drive social inclusion, stimulate economic growth, and reduce poverty is no small feat. But how costly is this endeavour, and what happens when the financial well runs dry?

The Price Tag of Policy Making

At first glance, the economics of policymaking might seem like a topic best left to the number crunchers and policy workers. Yet, it’s a subject that touches every facet of daily life, from the water we drink to the roads we travel on. Policy and politics is in everything we do as people. Studies by the Programme to Support Pro-Poor Policy Development (PSPPD) and the African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF) peel back the curtain on these costs, revealing a landscape where policy creation isn’t just an academic exercise but also a substantial financial undertaking.

In South Africa, for example, the PSPPD estimated that policymaking costs hover around 0.5% of GDP (approx 2 billion US dollars), a figure that speaks to the significant investment required to not only draft policies but to ensure they are informed, implementable, and impactful. Across 16 African countries, the ACBF found the average cost to be around 1.6% of GDP, with a range stretching from 0.7% in Botswana to a whopping 3.2% in Rwanda. These numbers underscore a reality where the financial resources allocated to policy development are both a reflection of and a constraint on a country’s developmental ambitions.

When Budgets Bite

The journey from policy conception to implementation is fraught with fiscal potholes. Consider the visionary policymaker, armed with data, enthusiasm, and a plan to revolutionize public health, education, or infrastructure. Yet, without the necessary financial backing, these plans risk remaining lofty ideals rather than transformative realities. The ACBF’s findings highlight a critical tension: the need for robust policymaking and the fiscal realities that can stifle innovation and progress.

The Cost of Crafting Effective Policies

So, what goes into the making of an effective policy document? It’s not unlike assembling a gourmet meal. You require quality ingredients (evidence and stakeholder insights), a skilled chef (policy analysts and designers), and the right kitchen equipment (institutional frameworks and implementation tools). And just like in cooking, quality comes at a cost. From stakeholder consultations to data analysis, and from drafting to monitoring and evaluation, each step requires resources. Yet, skimping on these essentials can result in policies that are undercooked or lack the necessary flavour to appeal to their intended beneficiaries.

Making Every Penny Count

In a landscape marked by limited financial resources, efficiency becomes the watchword. How can African nations navigate these fiscal constraints without compromising on the quality and effectiveness of their policies? The answer lies in innovation and strategic investment. Embracing digital tools for data management and analysis, leveraging partnerships for capacity building, and fostering a culture of evidence-based policymaking can stretch limited budgets further.

Moreover, viewing policymaking as an investment rather than a cost could shift the narrative. It’s about laying the groundwork for sustainable development, where the dividends pay off in the form of social welfare, economic prosperity, and inclusive governance. The challenge, then, is not just to manage the costs of policymaking but to maximize the returns on these investments.

The tightrope walk of policymaking in Africa, against a backdrop of budget constraints, is a testament to the creativity, resilience, and ingenuity of some of its policymakers. By navigating the fiscal challenges with an eye towards efficiency, innovation, and strategic investment, African nations can continue to craft policies that not only meet the immediate needs of their populations but also lay the foundations for long-term growth and development. In the end, the cost of policymaking, while significant, pales in comparison to the cost of inaction.