Double Standards: How Western policies exploit African Wealth while denying entry to its people – Opinion

The perception by many is as a flagrant display of double standards, several Western nations have been accused of exploiting African resources through politically engineered agreements, while simultaneously tightening their borders against the very citizens of those nations whose wealth they benefit from.

The global economic landscape is fraught with inequalities that often see developing countries, particularly in Africa, on the losing end. Many African countries are rich in natural resources such as minerals, oil, gas and many other raw materials. These resources should be a boon for the local economies, yet the reality is quite the opposite. The exploitation of these resources is often carried out by Western corporations, who, backed by their governments, establish agreements that heavily favor their own economic interests.

For example, in Ghana, Western mining companies have extracted significant quantities of gold, oil, bauxite and lithium—critical components in the manufacture of electronic devices and battery. Despite the vast wealth generated from these resources, the local communities continue to suffer from extreme poverty, inadequate infrastructure, and political polarization.

The exploitation doesn’t stop at resource extraction. The political manipulation involved often sees Western countries supporting certain political leaders or regimes that facilitate their economic agendas, regardless of these leaders’ records on human rights or democratic principles. This support can take the form of political backing, military aid, or favorable trade agreements, ensuring that these leaders stay in power to the detriment of the general populace.

On the flip side, when the citizens of these exploited nations attempt to escape the dire conditions at home, often exacerbated by these foreign interventions, they are met with closed borders and stringent immigration policies. The same Western nations that benefit economically from their resources and political alliances show a starkly different face when it comes to accepting migrants and refugees from these regions.

For instance, recent changes in immigration policy in countries like the UK and the US have seen a significant tightening of rules, with the introduction of measures such as the UK’s controversial plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda for processing. Such policies underscore a hypocrisy wherein African resources are readily accepted, yet its displaced people are not.

Critics argue that this behavior reflects a colonial mindset that views African resources as commodities to be exploited without a corresponding responsibility to the people. The narrative that Africa is a continent from which wealth can be extracted without ethical considerations for its people perpetuates inequality and fosters resentment.

Only through concerted efforts at fairness and justice can we hope to see a decline in the exploitation and inequality that plague relations between the West and Africa. It is not merely a matter of ethical duty but of global stability and mutual respect in international relations. As global citizens, it’s crucial to challenge and hold accountable those in power, advocating for policies that foster true collaboration and fairness, rather than exploitation and exclusion.

AMN | Anochie’s Report | Opinion.