Free Media and Bank Reforms in West Africa

Author(s):  
Toyosi Olugbenga Samson Owolabi

The growth of independent media has been observed globally to be a key factor in any nation's determination to create an enabling environment for sustainable development. In addition, it is believed that efficient banking institutions vividly illustrated by unhindered cash and credit flow are the linchpins of an unimpeded socio-economic development. This explains why Nigeria and some other countries in West Africa sub-region have quickly identified the critical roles free media could play in achieving the above tasks. This chapter, anchored under two normative theories of the media examined the strategic roles of independent media in banking sector reforms in West Africa sub-region. Besides, it appraised the degree of impacts which the interplay of media and bank reforms has produced in the development of the region. The study traced the origin of the media and banking industries in four countries and discovered the major trends that have occasioned the reforms. The challenges that constituted a drag in the wheel of effective communication of bank reforms and the implications for development were identified while recommendations were made to checkmate the trend.

REGIONOLOGY ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 820-839
Author(s):  
Tamara V. Uskova ◽  
Lyubov V. Babich

Introduction. Sustainable development is Russia's strategic goal at the national and regional levels. Currently, its key factor is innovation, which, in turn, is determined by the availability of sufficient amount of human capital, it being a set of knowledge, skills and abilities, including the ability of a person to generate ideas, create innovations, and bring them to production. Although Russia has a fairly large amount of human capital, its economy is experiencing difficulties in shifting to the innovation-driven model. Based on the conducted research, the article evaluates effectiveness of the use of human capital and analyzes the causes of the existing contradiction. Materials and Methods. The theoretical foundations of the study include the works of Russian and foreign academic economists, generalization and critical analysis of which made it possible to show the indirect impact of human capital on sustainable development. Based on data from the Russian Federal State Statistics Service, its territorial offices and the Analytical Center under the Government of the Russian Federation, the efficiency of the use of human capital by Russian regions was calculated employing the index method and it was compared with the level of the socio-economic development. Results. The level of innovation activity in Russia’s regions remains low. Innovation has not become a driving force for sustainable development. One of the reasons for this is low effectiveness of the use of human capital. Calculations of this indicator, carried out according to the adopted methodology, make it possible to conclude that Russia’s regions use slightly more than half of the accumulated human capital. Consequently, there are reserves for boosting innovation activity. Indirectly, this is evidenced by the comparison of the level of socio-economic development of the region and the index of effectiveness of the use of human capital. Discussion and Conclusion. The conducted research makes it possible to conclude that increasing effectiveness of the use of human capital will contribute to the growth of innovation in the economy of the regions and thereby facilitate the transition to the model of sustainable development.


Author(s):  
N.N. Balashova ◽  
◽  
D.A. Korobeynikov ◽  
S.A. Popova ◽  
◽  
...  

Typologization of rural areas, taking into account differences in population density and level of socio-economic development, is necessary to identify “growth points” and strategic sustainability benchmarks. The method of integrated assessment of the level of socio-economic development of rural territories is proposed, according to which the grouping of Russian regions is carried out. Applying data on rural population density to the results of calculations allowed us to identify 12 typological groups, in the context of which unified recommendations on sustainable development of territories should be formed.


Author(s):  
A.I. Chernykh ◽  
◽  
O.V. Goncharenko ◽  

Rural settlements occupy a significant part of the territory of Russia, where about 25% of the population lives and significant natural resource potential is concentrated, but the level of their socio-economic development is significantly inferior to urban ones. Increasing depressiveness of rural areas and spatial socio-economic differentiation is a systemic problem and an obstacle to the balanced development of the national economy, reduces its competitiveness due to insufficient use of economic potential, creates challenges to the economic and national security of the state. A powerful tool for countering such trends is the formation and implementation of the potential for the development of small agribusiness, which is mainly based on households created in the form of peasant (farmer) and personal subsidiary associations. The article ana-lyzes the potential of small agribusiness development in rural areas.


2021 ◽  
Vol 74 (2) ◽  
pp. 30-40
Author(s):  
S.A. Abenov ◽  

This article examines the socio-economic development of monotowns in Kazakhstan on the example of Zhezkazgan city. The authors analyzed the satisfaction of citizens with the living conditions in monotowns, as well as identified the problems of sustainable development and prospects for socio-economic transformation of this region. The results of the study showed that the main problem of a monotown is its dependence on the city-forming enterprise. At the same time, respondents expressed a high desire to migrate to other regions (78% of respondents).


Author(s):  
Olga Pryazhnikova ◽  

The World Bank has made an important contribution to shaping the global agenda for reducing poverty, increasing prosperity and promoting sustainable development. The review examines the main milestones in changes of the World Bank’s activities in the field of social development. The evolution of the organization’s approaches to solving the problem of poverty reduction as one of the key obstacles to socio-economic development is outlined.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Ezinna ◽  
Christopher Ugwuibe ◽  
Chikaodili Ugwoke

<p>Gender equity in education generates a push force that accelerates progress across sectors and goals; thus sustainable development. Gender equality constitutes central position in both national and international programmes as an accelerator for achieving development. Women’s place in national development appears subordinated. Thus, this study examined gender equity in education in Nigeria and the impact on national development. Specifically, the study sought to determine the degree of women access to education, ascertain the impact of women education on socio-economic development and determine the factors that constitute barriers to women education in Nigeria. The study discovered that educated women serve as stabilizing factor in national development and recommended ‘soft competition technique’ as the approach that will grant women the needed equity in national development in Nigeria. </p>


2019 ◽  
pp. 353-370
Author(s):  
Juliet W. Macharia

The growth of Information Communication Technology (ICT) has empowered communities in diverse ways. Both males and females use ICTs to transact businesses and carry on relationships. Access and use of mobile phones have changed people's lives. This chapter discusses the magical revolution of mobile telephony in Africa and specifically in Kenya. Innovations such as MPESA have transformed people's lives in Kenya and in other emerging economies. Both males and females have used the innovations to bring about development that has enriched their lives. Secondly, the role of gender socialization is discussed in relation to how the ICTs have eliminated the long-held belief that females are not participants in societal development. Thirdly, the role of the media in development is examined because they socialize people into the gender roles. Through mobile telephones, females perform diverse roles. Positive portrayal of men and women in development acknowledges that men and women must be active members of the process.


2018 ◽  
pp. 1185-1202
Author(s):  
Juliet W. Macharia

The growth of Information Communication Technology (ICT) has empowered communities in diverse ways. Both males and females use ICTs to transact businesses and carry on relationships. Access and use of mobile phones have changed people's lives. This chapter discusses the magical revolution of mobile telephony in Africa and specifically in Kenya. Innovations such as MPESA have transformed people's lives in Kenya and in other emerging economies. Both males and females have used the innovations to bring about development that has enriched their lives. Secondly, the role of gender socialization is discussed in relation to how the ICTs have eliminated the long-held belief that females are not participants in societal development. Thirdly, the role of the media in development is examined because they socialize people into the gender roles. Through mobile telephones, females perform diverse roles. Positive portrayal of men and women in development acknowledges that men and women must be active members of the process.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document