CONSTITUTIONALISM AND THE CRISIS OF DEVELOPMENT IN AFRICA

  • Anthony Raphael Etuk, PhD
Keywords: Constitutionalism,Constitution, Authoritarianism,Development, Democratization.

Abstract

The consequences of undermining constitutionalism in the post-independence African states, are too grim to be ignored. This paper examines the effects of constitutionalism on development in the continent. It argues that Africa’s obvious inability to achieve sustainable development since independence, is much due to the widespread unpopular practice of imposed and authoritarian constitutions, as well as endemic abuse of executive powers, contrary to the principles of constitutionalism in a democratic governance. For sustainable development to be attained in Africa, therefore, certain fundamental changes in the structure of political governance, necessary to promote constitutionalism in governance in the continent, are suggested in the paper. These include, a participating approach in constitution-making that involves the people in the process, a framework of constitutional literacy for the people to know their rights and seek redress, a limited government that respects the rule of law, the recognition of the right to free and fair elections, and the incorporation of socio-economic rights of the people into the constitutions.

Published
2021-11-27