Zimbabwe could become a
free, peaceful
and prosperous
country
Masahudu Ankiilu Kunateh, Ghanadot
Accra, May 19, Ghanadot - The
Zimbabwe Papers, a major report released today by nine of
Africa’s most respected think-tanks, examines the causes of
Zimbabwe’s social and economic problems and offers a
blueprint for urgent and practical reform that will enable
the country to become a thriving, peaceful and prosperous
country.
Over the past decade, average incomes in Zimbabwe have
declined by more than two-thirds and life expectancy has
fallen by 20 years. The cause is clear: policies implemented
by Zimbabwe’s government. As Franklin Cudjoe, Executive
Director of Ghanaian think tank, IMANI and editor of the
AfricanLiberty.org and a Commissioner of The Zimbabwe
Papers, point out.
“Zimbabwe is the
epitome of how a typical African breadbasket could easily
slip into a chaotic basket case in less than a generation
and we, as Africans, must recognise that the reason for this
is the Government’s failed policies. We have attempted to
proffer policy solutions-which are clearly laid out in this
policy-makers’ manual to make Zimbabwe shine again.”
The Zimbabwe Papers addressed the main problems facing the
people of Zimbabwe, from the constant threat of violence, to
the crumbling health care system, to one of the worst cases
of hyperinflation in World history. It describes the main
policy errors that have led to these problems and emphasises
the need to take urgent action to reverse them.
The top priority is simultaneously to provide reliable money
and reduce government expenditure. Transactions are now
being conducted in US dollars and South African rand, which
has greatly increased business activity and stabilised
prices. Re-establishing a local currency would require
adopting a currency board or pegging the currency to a major
stable currency.
Other urgent actions advocated by The Zimbabwe Papers
include: Ending the arbitrary violence inflicted by the
military and police on Zimbabwean citizens, reducing and
simplifying taxes and tariffs, in order to reduce
corruption, improve the climate for entrepreneurs, and
increase government revenue.
Reducing the burden of
regulations, which currently prohibit entrepreneurs from
creating formal businesses, drive economic activity
underground and reduce government revenue and
support for
the rule of law, the think thanks
say, is essential for a peaceful, well functioning
liberal democracy.
Rejoice Ngwenya of Coalition for Liberal Market Solutions, a
think tank based in Harare says, “Zimbabweans have been
persecuted by continuous state violence and destabilising,
destructive economic policies that made the country one of
the least hospitable business environments on earth.
Zimbabweans must be able to live and work in an environment
conducive to entrepreneurship; that means, sound money,
simplified regulations, and low taxes. Only then will
Zimbabwe get back to work.”
The Commissioners of the Zimbabwe Papers conclude, “We
believe that Zimbabwe’s leadership must look in the mirror
and accept that most of their problems are the result of
their own misguided policies. If Zimbabwe is to reverse
course and become a thriving economy once again, it must
stop blaming outside forces and focus on reforming its
domestic situation.”
“At some point, the dominance of state-sponsored plunder
will evaporate and make way for sustainable reform. When
this opportunity comes, Zimbabweans will have to move
quickly to rediscover the rule of law, constrain government,
and grant their citizens important economic and political
rights. The Zimbabwe Papers provides Zimbabwean reformers
with a plan for their renewal and the brave Zimbabwean
citizens, who dared to stand up against illegitimate,
immoral leadership, the information they need to put their
country back on a path to peace and prosperity.”
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