COVID-19: reinforcing (dis)trust between youth and institutions in Africa

Photo: AFP Photo/Mosaab El-Shamy
Photo: AFP Photo/Mosaab El-Shamy

The entry into and rapid spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in Africa has raised several significant questions pertaining to the capacity of governments to respond effectively and, more importantly, to gain citizens’ – especially youths' – trust in a period of global crisis. The management of COVID-19 by some African governments has offered a veritable opportunity to garner public trust and at least improve (if not completely change) public perceptions, especially with regard to accountability and transparency.

Introduction

The entry into and rapid spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in Africa has raised several significant questions pertaining to the capacity of governments to respond effectively and, more importantly, to gain citizens’ – especially youths’ – trust in a period of global crisis. The management of COVID-19 by some African governments – already faced with allegations of corruption and a lack of sensitivity to the demands and aspirations of youths – has offered a veritable opportunity to garner public trust and at least improve (if not completely change) public perceptions, especially with regard to accountability and transparency. Public perceptions over governments’ handling of the pandemic carry the potential to redefine public citizens’ – particularly youths’ – future interactions and cooperation with the state and its institutions.

Across the African continent, questions of accountability and transparency regarding the distribution and utilisation of COVID-19 funds (and relief materials) have been raised in countries such as Nigeria, Uganda and South Africa, among others.

National preparedness

The general state of affairs of the health sector in many African countries is poor, with the situation made even more obvious by the outbreak of COVID-19. While the struggle for the health sector to cope with the pandemic was global, in Africa it exposed both structural and infrastructural gaps that had long been plagued, primarily, by underfunding and mismanagement. Further, it has revealed the respect – or lack thereof – that youths may have for health institutions, laws and guidelines, given the decay in the sector.

Across the continent, government efforts to cope with the pandemic have received support from various stakeholders, while putting up a coordinated effort led by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC). African countries have also received technical, financial and material support from economically buoyant countries, private sector/individuals, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and civil society organisations (CSOs). At a national level, in some countries, young people have been in the forefront of efforts to bridge the gap of formal health and socio-economic support structures to benefit vulnerable populations – including indigent populations, widows, people living with disabilities and those in hard-to-reach communities, among others – by providing food, health supplies and health equipment, either at subsidised rates or free of charge.

Relief scandals

The battle against COVID-19 has meant the mobilisation of financial resources through extra-budgetary allocations, as well as internal and external financial donations and grants. Across the continent, questions of accountability and transparency regarding the distribution and utilisation of these funds (and relief materials) have been raised in countries such as Nigeria, Uganda and South Africa, among others.

In Nigeria, for instance, there is controversy over the methodology for COVID-19 relief food distribution and the conditional cash transfer (CCT). Allegations of corruption in terms of diverting relief materials and funds are mounting. Irrespective, the responsible government institution (the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development) is yet to publish details to clear the controversy. Uganda has not been immune to corruption claims either, in addition to allegations of the politicisation of food relief for President Yoweri Museveni’s political objectives, thus raising questions regarding the credibility of the relief programme. In response to corruption claims, four top Uganda government officials were arrested for inflating the prices of COVID-19 food relief. In South Africa, there have also been corruption allegations – and similar to Uganda, investigations are underway.

These examples highlight how dire health situations have been (mis)managed by some government officials/agencies, further widening the gulf of mistrust of the state by its population. The situation is telling when considered against the backdrop of the fact that the majority of these African citizens who feel disconnected from their governments are youths. While some of these young women and men have manifested deep resilience to continue to play their role in the fight against COVID-19, others have voiced their frustration.

COVID cases: under/over-reporting?

The World Health Organization (WHO) Africa has acknowledged the under-reporting in Africa with respect to COVID-19. Unreported cases, poor testing capacity, unreported asymptomatic patients, low levels of transparency and lack of press freedom are some factors responsible for this. However, youth perceptions indicate that corruption is one of the main factors at play: they contend that some governments are “corruptly” under-reporting to cover their inability to counter the pandemic effectively. Others contend that their governments are exaggerating the figures to justify huge financial allocations, which are thereafter misappropriated. For them, over-reporting is a manifestation of corruption for government officials to embezzle public funds.

Whether true or not, both under- and over-reporting have tainted the perception that young people have of their governments. In Nigeria, for instance, many people still doubt the veracity of the pandemic and its impacts, claiming it is a disease that affects the rich and/or the figures are exaggerated. Regarding the latter, the question commonly posed is: “If it (COVID-19) is real, why do I not know at least someone or someone who knows someone who has been infected?”

Conclusion: prospects and challenges

The (dis)trust question opens up at least three opportunities that can be leveraged to improve public trust, as well as to enhance cooperation with civil society in terms of public policy:

  • Communication: As seen within and beyond Africa, constant communication of the state of affairs from the government to the public, with effective feedback channels, gives little or no room for fake news and disinformation to thrive. Notably, young people dominate the digital space – the platform through which fake news and disinformation easily thrive. However, the lack of effective communication contributes to public distrust in the state and its institutions.
  • Health education: The extensive lockdown, resulting in restricted mobility and reduced economic activities, has made many young people pay more attention to public affairs. Therefore, it is an opportunity to communicate information on the pandemic and other health-related issues that may be of concern to African youths. Put simply, the openness of youths to health-related issues is an opportunity for African governments to leverage.
  • Inclusion and partnership: Another driver of distrust is exclusion. Thus, there is an opportunity for governments to engage youths and to partner with youth groups and organisations at grassroots level. Hence, instead of violent activism that may lead to clashes with law enforcement, youth groups can partner with governments to solve social problems. These partnerships could include enhancing the opportunities of these groups to secure funding for and to be part of implementation of social projects, and to contribute to policy-making.

Rhuks Ako holds a PhD in law from the University of Kent at Canterbury in the United Kingdom. He is an independent researcher with interests in youth, peace and security.

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