8th September 2006

Photo left: Reprinted with permission from Charles Roffey.

David Drew's article about Africa and the World Bank identifying corruption as 'the single greatest obstacle to global development' was very one-sided (11/08/06). He failed to take into account the deep roots of this problem and that the World Bank continues to insist that African governments prioritize debt repayments over the needs of their own people. This has added massively to problems like HIV/AIDS.

The World Bank has itself been responsible for billions of dollars in loans to corrupt governments: they should also be held accountable for such bad lending. Indeed most of Africa’s debts are illegitimate, and should be canceled outright and unconditionally as a matter of economic justice.

Corruption is a global phenomenon. David Drew is quick to admonish developing countries for corruption but we also need to clean up our act. What about our arms industries and corporations?

A report last week concluded that Britain is 'as corrupt as worst African states' (i). It found we played a 'dismal role in undermining the effectiveness' of the EU's attempts to close tax loopholes and that failure to clamp down on offshore tax havens is responsible for more hardship than any corrupt acts by third world leaders.

There had been too much emphasis on corruption in third world countries. It is time more consideration was given to the abuse by the wealthiest nations.

Cllr. Philip Booth, Stroud District Green Party.


Notes:
(i)  See The Guardian 'Britain is 'as corrupt as worst African states' by Duncan Campbell (4/09/06).