AS the World Social Forum addresses different social, political and human rights, it emerged that globalisation has left Africans poorer than they were before.

Patrick Bond from the Centre of Civil Society in South Africa said globalisation has brought to the continent dark sides with military weapons finding way into the hands of Africans with hard currency.

He accused the leaders of instead opening doors to powerful developed nations who have exploited underdeveloped countries.

“This is a situation that has led to Africans migrating to developed countries in search of better jobs,” argued Bond. “Africa is suffering from brain drain with professionals in essential services such as doctors and nurses leaving their own countries in search of greener pastures.”

It also emerged that globalisation has brought in new diseases in the continent that were previously unheard of.

Mr Vishzs Zho, who is a representative of the World Economic Forum and a university student in South Africa argued that the problem in Africa emanated from the structure of the power of capital in African governments.

“Money meant for ordinary poor Africans does not reach them and has instead ended up in wrong hands leading to the stagnation of growth in the continent for the past three decades,” said Zho.

He argued that Africans are their own enemies because they implement policies that do not cater for majority of the people, who instead end up being marginalised.

This situation has left the continent reeling in debt owed to developed countries.

The conditions attached to the loans and grants places African governments in a situation where they are continuously dependent on donors. What they owe institutions like the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund leaves them chained to these institutions.

The situation is such that despite having gained independence from colonial rulers, a new enslavement in the name of debt has aggravated a situation of a scramble for Africa’s wealth.

However, globalisation has had a positive effect that has worked well in areas of services such as technology.

“Africans are now able to communicate with their relatives far and wide without distance being a hindrance,” delegates were told.

And because of free trade policies Africans are also able to trade among themselves.

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