July, 2022

Africa’s population stood at 1.34 billion in 2020, reached 1.4 billion in 2022, and is projected to increase to 2.50 billion by the end of 2050, less than 30 years from now. Violence, protests and different sorts of social and economic dissatisfaction have been expressed publicly in different countries of the African continent mainly as a result of increasing unemployment, which is a consequence of overpopulation.

Even though education is intended to create critical thinkers and increase scientific literacy and skills that will enable the next generation of innovators, the textbook-centric, examination-focused education model found in many African countries has limited the continent’s students’ ability to acquire these important core competencies. This is evidenced by the poor performance in science and mathematics demonstrated by students participating in international assessments in the last two decades.

The question has been asked several times whether Africa will ever be rich? Others also ask: “Why is Africa poor?” Others ask whether Africa will ever develop. These questions arise out of the concerns of Africans living in Africa; Africans of the Diaspora, and friends of Africa all over the world.

It was 9.30 in the morning and I was getting late for a meeting at Accra New Town. I dashed out of the house and hailed a passing taxi. Just three minutes after getting into the taxi, the driver said: “I know you. You have been in my taxi before.”