Profiles in development and utilization of human resources in Africa

Abstract

Human resources development and utilization received a major setback in Africa in the 1980s. Due to the economic crisis and the attendant financial resources constraints, many African countries were forced to adopt structural adjustment programmes (SAPs) which sought to achieve financial balances through the cutting of public expenditures, price decontrols, etc. In the wake of such SAPs, the human resources sector (that is, education, health, employment and food supply) suffered. Africa's capacity to effectively develop and utilize its human resources is not only limited by SAPs but also by the economic structure which is import-dependent and lacking in meaningful domestic productive linkages. In the context of the foregoing, this paper profiles the development and utilization of human resources in Africa by first looking at the recent human development and employment growth in Africa. Since the paper paints a grim picture, it thus proposes a policy framework for improving human resources development and utilization.