“Africa’s future is threatened by U.S. neglect”

Different reports from experts who are examining the blights on Africa showed similar conclusions: Africa needs more investments to combat hunger, poverty and disease, and these investments should be mainly financed by the rich countries. Europe has begun to do it but the United States should follow this action. Yet, the White House is reluctant. The investment priorities in Africa are in four areas:
– Health, major problem in Africa since the continent must fight AIDS, malaria and other deadly diseases. Clinics, equipment and doctors are required.
– Education is also essential. The lack of teachers in Africa is huge.
– Agriculture, extremely unproductive because the Africans lack of basic investments.
– And finally the necessary infrastructures, such as water-distillers or power plants to electrify the rural areas.
These four problems can be solved. The Commission for Africa of Tony Blair recommends that international assistance be doubled for 2010 and tripled for 2015. This accounts for a sum of 16 cents for every 100 dollars of the GDP for the rich countries in 2010 and 22 cents in 2015. But today, every 100 dollars of the GDP, the United States allocates 3 cents to aid Africa and usually it is to pay the American consultants in those countries. This weekend, the G-8 countries decided to cancel the debt of 18 countries and reimburse the amounts owed to credit institutions. But to do that, the United States wants to use the money allocated to other aid programs, something that if is confirmed, would be an offence.
It is impossible to aid Africa as long as the United States decides to allocate 500 billion dollars to its army and only 3 billion to Africa. In this regard, George W. Bush has to be pressured.