COVID-19 AND THE IMPERATIVE OF PRIORITIZING HEALTH AND EDUCATION SECTORS IN AFRICA

Abstract

Against the backdrop that the basic human needs, food, shelter and clothing, invariably correlate with human health and educational concerns, serious improvement in human health and the development of human intellectual or cognitive capacities remain fundamental. Regrettably, there is an observable negligence of these aspects of life in many African societies. Prior to the COVID-19 experience, the need to give attention to these fundamental aspects of life received very minimal consideration in many African countries, since many African leaders are considerably comfortable and consider the provision of basic amenities neither a legal obligation on their part nor the rights of the citizens, but a mere demonstration of benevolence. The COVID-19 experience dramatically shuffled the hitherto stereotyped idea of definite opportunities for definite people in the world order. It demonstrates the possibility of precluding all and sundry from any safe haven, underscoring the need for a more objective evaluation of man’s living conditions and intersubjectivity. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, therefore, a critical review of its implications for Africa is imperative. Considering the imports of the pandemic as important lessons, this paper examines them and highlights the urgency of declaring a state of emergency in the health and education sectors, with a view to achieving sustainable development and putting measures in place for containing the unpleasant effects of a possible worse scenario.