Fostering Institutional Development and Vital Change in Africa and Asia

✍ Scribed by Fred M. Hayward

• Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan
• Year: 2022
• Tongue: English
• Leaves: 183
• Category: Library

✦ Synopsis

This book looks at the question of what makes for successful change in developing countries. It focuses on people at every level in six developing countries in Africa and Asia who have helped foster positive change and development, most of which has been successful. Here, in contrast to so much academic writing on development which focuses on leadership alone, the author tries to get beyond that elite focus and highlight the people at all levels who make change possible. He examines the role and significance of these ordinary citizens and groups as well as leaders. Transformation almost always requires action and support at multiple levels from individuals, communities, and local leaders. The project analyses the cases of Afghanistan, Madagascar, Sierra Leone, Ghana, Pakistan, and South Africa.

✦ Table of Contents

Acknowledgments
Introduction
Hope Fostered by Successes, Despair Among the Ruins of Failure
Contents
1 Sierra Leone—First Impressions and Experiences in Africa
A Brief Overview of Sierra Leone History
Work in Sierra Leone
My First Forays into African Politics
The Demise of a Promising Government of President Joseph Momoh
2 Ghana, a Model of Development
A Brief Overview of Ghana from 1470
University for Development Studies (UDS)
The University for Development Studies
Thoughts a Few Hours Before an Expected US Invasion of Iraq
Thoughts Over Dinner at the Accra, Ghana Paramount Hotel the Night Before Travel
Traditional Healing in Ghana in 2003–2004
Broken Bone
Mental Health
Conclusions
3 Madagascar: An Island Nation Seeking to End Its Isolation and Update the Educational System
The Minister of Education of Madagascar
Madagascar: A Brief Introduction to Pre-Colonial and Colonial History
Gender Equity
French Interference in Madagascar
Music Is the Soul of Madagascar
A Relaxing Afternoon of Food, Conversation, and Jazz in Diego
Flora and Fauna of Madagascar
Crocodile Lake
Inaugurating New School Rooms South of Diego (Antsiranana)
Attempts to Overthrow the President: Thoughts on the Conflict in Madagascar
More Thoughts on the Crisis in Madagascar
Thoughts on the Second Round of Violence in Madagascar
4 A People’s Liberation in South Africa
Working with the Historically Black Institutions (HDIs)
Request That I Come to South Africa to Help Identify and Prevent Expected Fraud During the National Elections
The Election
Racism Revisited in South Africa
Post-Election South Africa
February 2008 Return to South Africa
5 Pakistan: Top-Down Transformation
Introduction
Transformation of Higher Education Starting in 2002
Criteria and Standards
Major Challenges to Higher Education
Current Situation
Implications of the Experience in Pakistan
6 Building Higher Education Amidst War in Afghanistan
Kabul, First Impressions
Working in the Ministry of Higher Education
The Plight of Women in Afghanistan
Housing for Women
On Being a Target
Little Things of Beauty
Survival
The Garden
Love Amidst War
Kabul and War
Rural Afghanistan: A Day with an Extended Family
The Family Home
Conversations
Checking Up on the Kankor (Admissions) Exam with the Deputy Minister
Forces for Change
7 Conclusions: Reflections on More Than Fifty Years of Working in Africa and Asia
Ghana: Collaboration and Success
Sierra Leone: Democracy Versus Corruption and Military Rule
South Africa: Unification Versus Attempted Fraud
Madagascar: Agreement Not Decrees; Equality Versus French Arrogance
Pakistan: Top-Down Transformation of Higher Education
Afghanistan: Public Dedication and Support for Transformation During War
Bibliography
Index