The afternoon sun filters through the mango leaves, casting dappled shadows on the ground. A gentle breeze stirs the air, carrying the distant hum of life beyond the grove—children laughing, a radio crackling in the background, and the rhythmic sound of someone pounding fufu in a nearby kitchen.
Sitting across from me on a well-worn wooden bench is Dr Kwame Nkrumah. His presence is steady, like the ancient mango tree sheltering us. He leans forward slightly, eyes alight with the fire of conviction.
The Shockwaves of a Funding Freeze
Charles Kojo Vandyck: Dr Nkrumah, it’s an honour to have you here on Alternative Convos. A storm is brewing in global development circles—the USAID funding freeze. It has sent development organisations into a frenzy, triggering political manoeuvring and some of the most theatrical congressional hearings Washington has seen in a long time. I’d love to hear your perspective on this.
Dr Nkrumah cracks a knowing smile and nods before responding.
Kwame Nkrumah: Charles, the pleasure is mine. But let’s be honest—this is not surprising. Development aid from the West has always been tied to political and strategic interests. USAID is no exception. It presents itself as a benevolent force, but in reality, it is an instrument of US foreign policy, designed to serve American interests first and foremost. Have you ever wondered why certain countries receive aid while others are left out?
I nod, peeling the skin off a ripe mango.
Charles Kojo Vandyck: That’s the question on many minds. If you walk through Africa, Asia, Latin America, or the Caribbean, USAID’s footprint is everywhere—schools, health clinics, water projects. It’s marketed as American generosity. But beneath the surface, it’s clear that aid is a tool of influence. Conditions are attached, and funding fluctuates based on a country’s political alignment with Washington’s interests.
Dr Nkrumah waves his hand as if brushing away the illusion.
Kwame Nkrumah: Exactly! This is not about development in its purest sense; it’s about control. Take Latin America, for example—USAID has been linked to efforts undermining governments that resist US dominance. Africa is no different. Funding priorities shift depending on how well a government aligns with American geopolitical goals. This is neo-colonialism in modern form—economic dependency masked as assistance.
He pauses, picking up a fallen mango and rolling it in his hands as if contemplating history itself.
Kwame Nkrumah: Let me tell you a story, Charles. In the 1960s, when I led Ghana, we had ambitious plans for industrialisation. We sought support from various global actors. The Western powers were quick to offer aid, but always with strings attached. ‘Privatise this,’ ‘align your policies with ours,’ ‘don’t work too closely with the East.’ Eventually, we sought support from other sources, including the Soviet Union and China. And what happened? Suddenly, we were ‘dangerous’ and needed to be destabilised. Aid was never about helping us; it was about keeping us in check.
The Shift in the Global Order
I take a moment to absorb his words, wiping mango juice from my fingers.
Charles Kojo Vandyck: So, if aid is political, how should Africa respond? The global order is shifting. China’s Belt and Road Initiative is challenging Western aid structures. Regional development banks and South-South cooperation are gaining momentum. What does this mean for Africa’s development trajectory?
Dr Nkrumah nods thoughtfully, his gaze fixed on a distant point as if seeing the future unfold.
Kwame Nkrumah: This is where opportunity lies, Charles. Africa must move beyond dependency and take ownership of its development agenda. The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is a crucial step towards economic liberation. If we strengthen intra-African trade, we reduce reliance on Western aid. Imagine an Africa where Ghana exports technology to Nigeria, where Kenya provides healthcare innovations to Malawi, where Senegal invests in green energy projects in Zimbabwe. This is the future we must build.
A ripe mango drops from the tree above, landing softly beside us—perhaps nature’s way of approving the wisdom shared.
Charles Kojo Vandyck: You’ve always championed African self-reliance. But how do we fund our own development without external aid?
Dr Nkrumah sighs, rubbing his hands together as if warming them over an invisible fire.
Kwame Nkrumah: It begins with rethinking our funding models. We must explore alternative financing—domestic philanthropy, impact investing, social enterprises, and crowdfunding. Have you heard of the Harambe Entrepreneur Alliance? They are young African innovators funding African solutions. That is the model we need to scale up.
He leans forward, his voice firm.
Kwame Nkrumah: Governments must also cut waste. How can we cry about aid dependency when billions leak from our economies through corruption, capital flight, and illicit financial flows? We must also prioritise partnerships with local organisations instead of outsourcing solutions to foreign NGOs that have no long-term stake in our future.
The End of the Begging Bowl Mentality
I wipe my hands and lean back, taking in the weight of his words.
Charles Kojo Vandyck: A powerful call to action. As USAID’s influence wanes and the world shifts towards a multipolar reality, African nations must seize this moment. We must negotiate from a position of strength—not submission.
Dr Nkrumah’s eyes gleam with the fire of a revolutionary spirit.
Kwame Nkrumah: Precisely, Charles. The time for begging bowls is over. We must rise, united, and demand partnerships on equal terms. The world is changing, and Africa must position itself to lead, not follow. When the West needed manpower during the World Wars, they called on Africa. When they needed raw materials for their industries, they took from Africa. Why, then, should we accept the narrative that we cannot stand on our own?
He lets his words settle like dust after a harmattan wind.
A Call to the Global African Community
As the late afternoon sun dips lower in the sky, I turn to you, the reader.
What do you think?
Can Africa truly engage with USAID on equal footing, or should we move beyond the aid model entirely?
Are we ready to embrace a future where our development is shaped by our own hands, not dictated by foreign interests?
