Within a span of five years, Africa has captured global attention again. A second commission, the Africa Commission has been established by the Danish government to accelerate development in Africa and strengthen international cooperation. The first one- the Tony Blair Commission for Africa, aimed at tackling problems that had made the continent experience declining growth rates, increasing poverty and falling life expectancy. However, in spite of its call that aid to the continent be doubled and debts cancelled, real transformation has not been noticed on the continent.

The Danish government’s move is laudable considering the fact that in the era of globalization, nations are rapidly becoming interconnected. However, the question that begs an answer is: Will the Africa Commission achieve what the Commission for Africa failed to do?

Too many times, commissions have set out to do things 'for' Africa. Unfortunately, this has relegated Africa to the role of a passive bystander, no matter how benevolent the intentions may have been. There is growing consensus that progress will take place only if things are done ‘with’ Africa. Africans must take the lead and decide for themselves what is best for them as partners are encouraged to join their effort. They must not fall in the calculated trap that strategically labels them as poor to kill their psyche, be passive as the continent’s resources are plundered; negotiate from a level of inferiority and be used as development laboratories.

Unless Africa charts its own blueprint that breaks intra-Africa trade barriers, rewards labour, provides a fertile environment for productivity, utilizes resources for the benefit of the citizenry and does less politicking, it shall continue to be a casualty for external paradigms.