Dialogue in Pursuit of Development - Are you looking for one of ...

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The non-governmental organizations
The number and role of non-governmental organizations in the development
processes of African countries grew exponentially following the collapse
of Africa’s economies in the 1970s. In a short time thereafter NGOs
became an alternative to the state machinery in the delivery of external
assistance. While justified in many cases due to the limited capacity or the
predatory nature of the state, too often NGOs took upon themselves the
role of protectors of the ‘society’, advocating within and outside the country
for the support of priorities more consistent with their own mandates
than with national development objectives. The general mutuality in distrust
limits efforts on the part of NGOs, on the one hand, and the Government,
on the other, to design proper internal consultative mechanisms that
provide the opportunity for dialogue. This opportunity should be explored
thereby giving the NGOs a more formal role and higher stake in the country’s
performance.
Following the 1997 elections, the runner up in the Liberian presidential race
election established a community self help development NGO (Measuagoon)
as a response to the grave social conditions of the population which was
exposed during the campaign.
The NGO was clear in policy of full inclusiveness by all communities
which met self help requirements. Despite this, the NGO was attacked and
vandalized several times by government directed forces claiming that its
support was obtained from donors to strengthen the political advantage of
the founder. The truth is that the NGO had not benefited from donor support
but was solely dependent upon contributions by Liberians.
Although the erroneous and politically motivated accusation of the Government
might have been easily dismissed through investigation and dialogue,
donors to whom several proposals submitted by the participating
committees had been sent took the course of least resistance by refusing to
consider the proposals. A dialogue on the issue was denied. As a result, the
added value to the poor did not materialize due to donor fear of a repressive
Government.
Effective dialogue between beneficiary countries and donor require the
courage to confront a Government with the facts when the welfare of the
poor is at stake.
The private sector
In the majority of African countries private enterprises comprise large
transnational corporations, most frequently the extractive industries which
operate as enclaves; medium sized agro-industrial manufacturing and trading
houses and a large number of informal marketers. Except for infrequent