Topic: Better Days ahead for the economy of developing countries in Africa (Read 604 times)

Her mission is not to help the African continent. Her mission is to improve the trade relations globally. If others feel that she is biased towards Africa, then they may not agree with her nomination, and that is what happening now. Everyone expects the director general of the WTO to be a neutral person, capable of taking unbiased decisions irrespective of the geography and politics.

so dont celebrate yet here coz it seems that Ngozi will not get the post. too much politics is at play here.
but in case she will not be picked for that position, i guess she can continue her mission to help the African region. her initiatives should not stop if she will not be voted for that position. she should use her influence to push thru some activities that will aid some change from where she came from. it should not be the dead end of things.

Having an African woman in World Trade Organization can help make changes in their continent’s economic position. Now that they already have a representative in WTO, they sort of have the upper hand to address whatever problems they currently have. Someone is already going to amplify the voices of their citizens shouting for plea.

In addition, as a representative, she can propose ideas and suggestions that could help their continent be placed in good position in the trading system globally. After all, Africa is rich in natural resources that they could use to boost their economic status. They can use their natural resources on their advantage. Surely if they would wisely manage what they have, their citizens will benefit from it, especially those who belong to the lower bracket of the society. This can help them develop their country, leading to more prosperous continent than before.

I wish all the best regarding the African nation. May you get what you truly deserve for the betterment of each communities in your continent.

OK guys.. here is the latest news on the topic:

https://punchng.com/okonjo-iweala-wto-postpones-meeting-to-pick-new-wto-dg/


The bad news for Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is that US is opposing her candidacy. According to Robert Lighthizer (American representative), WTO needs someone with hands on experience. USA is supporting South Korean candidate Yoo Myung-hee for the post of director general. Now we need to see how much impact the American presidential elections will have on this. There is a chance that the American position may change.

BTW, I have seen a lot of posts saying that Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is Nigerian. She is not. She gained the American citizenship in 2019.

I honestly felt happy about the better improvements in Africa. I believe that Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala has all it takes to be the African leader and she has all the ability to develop the economy and heal the old wounds that this African countries had. Being called as the Nigerian Iron Lady is such a great power that this respectable woman have. I am wishing all the best for Africa and praying that their countries could shine and show the world the best economy and successful projects that they will have in the future. 

Good luck to them, but I still think they need to fix their issues of the corrupt leaders, although I do know that these days corruption is like something that's happening everywhere now, but as a country that is yet to be developed, having so much of these corrupt leaders who always wants to steal her money and run to other countries will affecting the country.

Funny thing is that I hear of how much their leaders keeps stealing from them, huge ridiculous amount of money and giving some weird excuses. For me, those men really has to go down or be taken down by force and people with intention making the country should be voted in. It's as simple as that.

I have my doubts as well, we tend to have a top to bottom view about most things and think that those at the top should do more to help the people but they are so far away from the situation that is difficult for them to know what it is actually happening and then take effective measures.

This is why I think that people thinking about governments helping them in a time of crisis are mistaken, if the help comes then they should welcome it but they should look for ways to improve their situation by themselves and there is no doubt in my mind that the greatest problem in the African continent is that their local authorities are simply too corrupt and they can get away with anything and this is the first thing it needs to change if there is to be any significant change in the continent.

Firstly, Last I checked she was in the nomination list of candidates who were subject to voting on 7th November along with South Korean candidate. I don't know if he is selected already or not.

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Secondly, I really thought earlier that this was the case in any such international organizations. But unfortunately, this isn't really the case. If you see the history the top-level officials of almost any International Institution or United Nations organization there have been numerous instances of people being elected from backward economies and yet being of zero help to their home nation. This actually is due to structures these organizations have. The power of the presidents/ Top-level official is more or less fiduciary or administrative. Most of the decisions relating to policymaking and channelizing funds is done by a body of participants which generally comprises representatives from almost every country or most prominent countries who vote on the basis of their proportion.

Moreover, there is absolutely zero direct benefits for the individual sitting at the top to give preference to their country as they are not elected representatives of people they don't get votes from them. On the contrary, you are seen as a shady person if you give your home country any such privileges. That is why if you see generally these people don't give any benefits to home countries.

Leaders of Africa are taking a good step to move African forward. I saw the article few weeks ago,where Nigeria woman was declared WTO, first in the history of Nigeria for a woman to received such honour from the world trading organization position.
With her position in the world trading organization she will not let African remain in hardship before she will do something great to surprise African. This is a welcome development to Nigeria and also to African continent.
What covid-19 has destroy in the area of African economy, i think this is an opportunity to help African out of low economy in the country. Many government are still finding it difficult to recover for what corona virus has collapsed in the country. With this world trading organization position giving to African woman will really help African to make a good record in their economy.

It needs high appreciation for him as a figure who is able to carry a good name as a form and support for being part of the WTO. This is an opportunity for economic development in African states.
we who are outside the state of the continent wish the best for our brothers and sisters there.

Holding an office is one thing and doing the job and helping on improving these countries is another. I think we always see this situation when there is a newly elected official winning with all of these hopes and promises about how they can improve their lives but after a few years in the office you will still see that you are still stuck with what you are doing feeling little to no difference. Having a power is good just as long as you do your job on what you really need to do, if these elected officials can really improve these countries then I'll be happy that these people will finally have a the help they need but if these won't change anything this is that kind of news that is hopeless to give hope with.

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Could it be fair to say professionals and politicians work for those who pay them? Who pays them is neither you nor I.

Some may feel professionals or politicians owe them something. But at the end of the day, we're not the ones who pay their salaries or put food on their table. And so they do not owe their allegiance or loyalty to us. No matter what theories of how the world should work say.

Many politicians have a net worth greater than $100 million dollars. That is a remarkable sum of money for this day and age. There is a question of how it happens consistently without many seeming to acknowledge it.

You have just hit the nail on the head. A big achievement for her as a person but not as a country or for Africa entirely.
This might be a stepping stone for African countries to tap in the development outside their region but the way OP described is far from reality.
Africa is bless especially where she hail from(Ikonja Iweala), Delta state is one of the largest oil producers in Nigeria and the same society equipped her youths(militants) to vandalise same oil refinery pipeline in the name and interest of political ambition.
It's high time Africa embrace, restructured and fight corruption so other nations can take them serious.

The fact that some man or woman coming from an African country was elected as a director of some world organization doesn't mean anything to me.
The director of the World Healthcare Organization is from Ethiopia and so what?Did the healthcare systems in Africa improved just because the World Healthcare Organization director is from Ethiopia?I don't think so.
African countries have great potential for economic growth,but they have to rely on their own will and resources.The IMF or the WTO can't help that much for further economic development of the third world countries.

That would really be a great news that African countries now do have a representative within the World Trade Organization which will give hope for the continent and will expect to have lots of opportunities coming since they can now be voiced out within the world trading circulation that can give them improvement that can somehow ensure for the better days to come. Knowing Africa and Indian countries do have lots of resources but the main problem is that they are not maximizing such resources added by the fact that they are being ruled over by corrupt officials only concern on making themselves rich and not having any bit of concern on their constituents. May we have high hopes and expectations that such news will bring African countries to get along with other continents and nation when it comes to trading making the countries within Africa experience such a great improvement making their lives better compared from before.

Back in the 2000s when India was starting to gain a foothold in the international arena, such "first time Indian" chosen as a head of some organization, corporation etc used to do the rounds. While the position itself may not be of much significance, what it speaks about is the growing importance and clout of a country and the recognition of its importance at international forums such as the WTO, in this case.
Nigeria is one of the growing growth spots in the world and similar news about Nigeria means that the world is taking note of the potential of Nigeria. What is important is that these countries will need to follow a much more balanced and sustainable approach keeping in mind the challenges in development vis a vis environment and ecosystem.

No one is going to write off the debt. If the African nations refuse to pay back their loans, then I don't think that the international lenders will entertain them the next time when they ask for more money. The era of loan write-offs are over and none of the world nations are in a position to do that. All of them are facing rising expenses and widening budget deficit. Loan write-off at this point is just wishful thinking.

Dr Okonjo-Iweala was supported in the majority by the Caribbean, Africa, the European Union, China, Japan and Australia countries.
I sincerely wish her the best of luck in her new role and that she do a memorable job. She has a brilliant career having a 25-year career at the World Bank and has led important positions as a development economist.
We all want your administration to be the best because we need the best leaders to restore the economy left by the Covid19 pandemic.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ngozi_Okonjo-Iweala

Her appointment will bring a sort of relief to debt ridden  economies of many African countries, she will influence and facilitate their debts to be written off, she was able to achieve the feat when was the finance minister in Nigeria however US was not in support of her candidacy as the director of World Trade Organization https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.bbc.com/news/amp/business-54725681
How she is going to surmount this stiff opposition from the US is an Herculean task.

The first time I read about her, she was the minister of finance in Nigeria Economy, for her to be accepted to that position as the World Trade Organization, she might have done some accreditations on the Nigerian financial situation and that's perfect of her, but my greatest fear is that the US government under the leadership of Donald Trump is objecting her reason best known to them^[1]. However, her experienced as economics expert can not be undermined.

[1]. US blocking selection of Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala to be next head of WTO
[2]. US holds up Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala appointment as WTO Director-General