What ails Africa? Re-Investigation of Colonial Legacies

Abstract

The study outlines and contextualizes the theoretical construct of the African state evolution. An attempt is made to unveil the protracted spatial, socio-cultural and economic disparities that still persist across the continent among the various demographic groupings. The central objective is to identify the roadblocks encountered in the building state in Africa. Moreover, the paper also reflects the colonial trajectory and policy directives as well as the extenuating factors that have stymied the African state system from attaining its developmental goals. However, the findings of the study reveals that, despite a slew of policies, laws and tactics adopted by the African government, policy objectives were not fully realized owing to the myriad of structural and socio-cultural disparities as a result of colonial legacy. The fact is that Africa not only lacks an operational model for governance but also has remained mired in a colonial paradigm that by its paternalistic character undermines its development prospects. So, what the African states required is a strong willed and capable leadership who can set priorities in streamlining the existing states that resonate with the indigenous traditional state and make it compatible with modern nation-states.