Modernization, that is, the introduction and integration of technologies such as television, the telephone and the Internet, has impacted the lives of many living on the African continent. Unfortunately the impact is vast. The results of these changes have not been positive, if any effect can even be discerned at all. Problems due to lack of money, corruption, culture clashes and lack of infrastructures have all come with the introduction of new technology and have had negative impacts upon those who govern and those who live on the African continent.
As mentioned earlier, many fledgling countries and many new African governments have experienced troubles. However, even if all of these troubles were to be solved, international communication might still be compromised, especially if the leaders of the nation or its major corporations are corrupt or ineffective. For example, in Nigeria, corruption in the electric companies is “rampant.[1]” Because of this corruption, prices of power bills have become so high that they have been termed “Crazy Bills.[2]” The practice of bribing phone company employees not to turn off one’s power is quite common.
Even when the bills are settled, according to Rebecca Enonchong, head of the Africa Technology Forum, “even larger cities with millions of people may have entire neighborhoods without electricity. When you have it, it’s really expensive, and, frequently, electricity will just go off for a couple of days.”[3] If one’s power source cannot be relied upon, it is hard to rely upon new technologies for communication of any kind, whether it be national or international. What is the use of a computer that does not turn on? Without an honest, affordable and efficient power supply, these cities and countries cannot be enter into, much less be competitive in, the world markets.
Even when one’s power supply is constant, other problems with communication arise. Across Africa, there exists only one main Internet cable, Sat3. Because there is only one cable, there are very few Internet providers – many countries only have one – and very few incentives to keep prices low or quality of service high.[4] It is very difficult in many countries to make enough money to own a computer, afford the energy to run it and pay the exorbitant Internet bills. One must need or want Internet access very badly if they are willing to put up with the quality of service, which is, as aforementioned, quite poor. It is difficult for those living and working in developing nations to join the Internet age and the global marketplace when there are so many obstacles; not joining the ever-globalizing world can have a stunting effect upon a fledgling economy.
It could be said that the simple answer to these problems is merely to develop a stronger infrastructure. But this is not an easy thing to do, especially in fledgling or struggling country where budgets are quite small, as the costs of new technologies (and even “old” technologies) can be staggering. Countries who wish to improve infrastructures are often faced with momentous fiscal obstacles. For example, let us consider the case of the city of Lom Pangar, Cameroon, in which there are currently plans to build a new energy-producing dam. Although this dam would satisfy the energy needs of the entire country, it will cost more than $120 million to construct. Since Cameroon does not at this time have $120 million to spend on a hydroelectric dam, it plans to send itself into debt by borrowing the money from the World Bank.[5] This will have quite a negative effect on the nation’s budget, especially if the dam does not perform to expectations after it is built. Money that could go toward education, healthcare or housing must be used to repay creditors.
This same case of the planned Lom Pangar dam can help illustrate another negative result of modernization. Not only will government officials and Cameroonian companies be affected by the construction, but also the 30,000 people who live in the nearby communities. Their lives could possibly be completely changed due to the location of the construction site of the dam encompassing indigenous properties, which are home to many of their ancestral relics and important medicinal plants that will become flooded and subsequently under water. Although some citizens of Cameroon will benefit from the power supply the dam will provide, these citizens stand to lose their homes, source of food and medicine and much of what they hold dear[6].
Some negative effects of modernization are not in such plain sight. Some are more covert, especially when speaking about the effect is taboo. For example, in Kenya, as many nations across the world, having an education is key to being seen as successful economically and mentally. And although many young girls are enrolled in school, many miss more than a month of school each year because they cannot afford sanitary towels or tampons during the time of their period.[7] This puts them cripplingly behind their male counterparts in scholastic matters. Although many charities have taught the girls how to properly use sanitary napkins, when living as 54 percent of the population does on less than one dollar each day,[8] buying them is not a priority. Until the government or charitable organizations will give these girls the napkins for free, the girls cannot fully benefit from their education. However in Kenya, as in the United States, this subject is not often talked about and many girls would rather lie and make up an excuse for their absence.[9] The government cannot know about this problem if it is not talked about, nor can it afford to give the napkins away until their economy improves. The economy cannot improve until more of their population becomes educated. It is a vicious cycle that will not be broken until the issue is brought into the open and someone is willing to shoulder the initial opportunity costs. If it is not, these girls, and those in many other developing nations may well be left behind.


SUMMARY:
Maybe Slide One: Negative Aspects and Consequences of Modernization
Maybe Slide Two:
o Corruption
o Crazy Bills in Nigeria
o Problems with access and availability
o Monopolies on ownership
Maybe Slide Three
o Problems with Improving Infrastructure
o High initial costs
§ Lom Pangar, Cameroon
§ Great Debt
§ Possibility of Failure
o Effects on Civillians
Maybe Slide Four
o Cultural clashes
o Taboo Subjects - Schoolgirls in Kenya
§ Negative results from adhering to traditional culture
§ High Initial Costs