ADMISTRATIVE CHANGES IN THE INDEPENDENT AFRICAN STATES

ADMISTRATIVE CHANGES IN THE INDEPENDENT AFRICAN STATES

Administrative changes in the independent African states were the programs of replacing colonial administrators with Africans. Sometimes it is known as “Africanization”. The newly formed governments appointed Africans to take posts in various offices in the government like ministers, civil servants, regional commissioners, judges; magistrate’s etc when Africanization started the number of Africans in the government increased. For example in Tanganyika the number rose from 1,000 in 1961 up to 6,200 in 1968.

REASONS FOR ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES AFTER INDEPENDENCE

Elimination of the white presence in the independent African government.

To give administrative and employment opportunities to Africans.

To replace the colonial structure with an African structure devised and run by Africans and for Africans.

To eliminate social and economic inequalities that colonial rule left.

To ensure that the government and its workers served the African people and were dedicated to the African cause.

STRENGTHS OF ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES

It removed the white race from the administration of the government organs in the independent states.

It promoted Africans in employment because the majority had no employment when African countries achieved independence.

It eliminated traditional political units’ thereby encouraging national unity.

It suppressed discrimination based on ethnic grounds.

WEAKNESSES OF ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES

Most of key government post continued to depend on foreign labour. For instance many countries relied on expatriates to work in many government and economic sectors.

Administrative changes did not provide equal opportunities between males and females. Most of the government posts were held by men.

Most of the Africans who were given equal opportunities held lower ranking jobs for many years without promotion to senior jobs.

Under performance by Africans due to their inexperience, most of the African who were employed by the government performed poorly and exposed the government into mismanagement, losses and incompetence in delivery of service to the people.

 CONTRIBUTION OF ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES

It expanded employment opportunities for Africans

Administrative changes reduced the number of foreigners from government service in independent states

It contributed to the realization of the objective of independence by allowing Africans to govern their independent countries

It encouraged Africans to pursue education in various sector so as to take positions in their government.