Effects Of Poverty In Africa

Poverty is a dangerous weapon that can hinder the growth and development of any society, where it is prevalent. Poverty can come in different ways, but the worst form of poverty is that of the mind which may be referred to as psychological poverty. Unfortunately, Africa suffers from all forms of poverty.
After the independence of most African countries in the 20th century, poverty, hunger, disease, etc became the major problematic factors that the continent has to contend with, and the negative effects of poverty have stretched into the 21st century causing greater problems not only affecting Africa as a continent, but also the rest of the world.

It is a known fact that the colonization of African countries by the major powers made the continent’s economy to be largely dependent on that of the major world powers. The kind of leaders that most African countries produced after independence did not help matters, as they were mainly interested in personal aggrandizement rather than being sensitive to the needs of their people. As a result of this and some other factors, most African countries remain impoverished till date. This poverty has adverse effects on the citizens of most African countries economically, politically, socially, educationally, technologically, etc.

Negative effects that poverty has brought to Africa are quite enormous. At this point, it will be pertinent to consider some of these effects.

• Disease
The spread of diseases like HIV/AIDS, malaria, etc keep increasing in Africa as a result of poor health facilities that are put in place for the control of such diseases. Most families are poor, and cannot afford going to good hospitals where there are better drugs and equipment that will help to improve their health condition. Inability of getting proper healthcare lead to premature deaths in Africa on a daily basis.

• Poor Standard of Education
Many families in Africa cannot afford two square meals, let alone sending their children to good schools where they will acquire good and qualitative education. Some countries in Africa are very poor which makes it difficult for their government to provide good facilities that would have helped to enhance learning.

• Prostitution and Increase in societal violence
The number of young girls and boys that go into prostitution has continued to increase on a daily basis. On the other hand, more youths now engage in all sorts of societal violence in a bid to survive in the society they have found themselves. It is true that people should try to control themselves in every situation, but the truth of the matter is that a starving person finds it difficult to appreciate values or good moral standards.

The decadence in moral standards, less regard for values, corruption are also part of the negative effects of poverty in Africa, and these effects have continued to make the continent’s economy to be largely dependent on that of the major world powers.

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