Does Solving Africa Problem Need Strong Men, Strong Institutions or Both?

Several of the key determinants of economic growth-initial conditions that have been identified and applied world-wide have also been at work in Africa as well for many years. Despite this endeavor, yet Africa is continuously losing its ‘moral compass' and increasingly becoming housed with the ‘5 stars colonization disease' with disappointing poverty numbers in large portion of Africa's population while the few are walking through life style of the rich and famous, sports and entertainments. Diseases, structural and natural calamities, fighting, political instability and conflict and terrorism have all been order of the day in the continent notwithstanding many efforts in place to ameliorate the situation. Bad economics, bad politics and institution failure on the enforcement of laws and actual punishment for the individuals involved in corruption and misuse of public offices are the major cause of Africa's decline. If top leaders can maintain their commitment to this battle and pass it over to other potential leaders, then most African countries can be free from ‘potential time bombs' and many may hope to see further improvement in future in all walks of people's life. Economic growth can then be translated into poverty reduction than mere numbers. This article provides a reflection of this thought by examining and describing what is actually devastating Africa's effort from institutional and leadership viewpoint rooted from a proclamation of President Barack Obama, in his speech to the Ghanaian parliament in 2009 where he asserted that “Africa doesn't need strongmen, it needs strong institutions”