The Quest for a Corrupt-Free Africa

Across Africa, the persistent scourge of corruption remains a heavy burden. It drains public resources, undermines development, and erodes public trust. In recent times, this frustration has manifested in a rise in military coups, often justified as a means to remove corrupt regimes and restore accountability. However, replacing one government with another through force offers no lasting guarantee of justice or stability. It highlights a deep-seated crisis that demands a more profound and sustainable solution.This solution must emerge not from the barrel of a gun, but from the heart of communities. It requires a movement grounded in social justice and collective accountability. This is where a decolonised model of African social work, specifically the method of Social Action, becomes essential.

Moving Beyond Imported Models

Social work models, often imported from the West, tend to focus on individual rehabilitation and treatment. While valuable, this approach can overlook the broader political and systemic injustices that create poverty and inequality. Addressing a systemic issue like corruption requires a systemic method. There is a critical need for a social work practice that is courageous, politically engaged, and firmly rooted in African philosophies.

An African-Centered Social Action

Social Action is a method where social workers move beyond individual casework to organise communities and challenge unjust systems. For this to be effective in the African context, it must be idealised within indigenous values rather than Western principles alone.This approach is guided by foundational African philosophies:· Ubuntu: The principle that “I am because we are” stands in direct opposition to corruption. Corruption asserts, “I am because I take from us,” severing the communal bond. A social work practice rooted in Ubuntu recognises that an injustice against one is an injustice against all, making the fight against corruption a collective responsibility.· Communal Responsibility: African societies have long thrived on the idea that the community’s well-being is paramount. Social workers can activate this value by facilitating community structures to collectively monitor public projects, demand transparency, and hold local leaders accountable.· Accountability to the Collective: In many African traditions, leadership was a service to the community, not a path to personal wealth. Social Action can help revive this ethic, reinforcing that power is vested by the people and must be exercised for the common good.

The Role of Social Workers in Building Accountability

Social workers, positioned at the intersection between communities and institutions, are uniquely equipped to be catalysts for change. Their role in this struggle can take several forms. They can serve as educators, illuminating civic rights and demystifying public budgets for community members. When people understand how public funds should be allocated and spent, they are empowered to ask critical questions. They can build and strengthen community advocacy networks. By organising youth groups, farmer cooperatives, and neighbourhood associations, social workers help consolidate community voice. A united community possesses a far more powerful platform to demand transparency in the management of resources for schools, clinics, and infrastructure.Furthermore, social workers can leverage cultural tools for justice. Traditional methods of dialogue and community deliberation can be used to create forums where leaders are invited to explain their actions directly to the people, fostering a culture of answerability. At a broader level, social workers can channel evidence from grassroots experiences to advocate for stronger institutions. The daily realities of how corruption impacts access to healthcare or education provide powerful testimony for advocating national policy reforms and robust anti-corruption bodies.

Towards a Future Rooted in Social Justice

The dream of a prosperous and peaceful Africa is achievable, but it cannot be built on the unstable foundations of corruption and military intervention. A sustainable future must be constructed on the bedrock of social justice, accountability, and the enduring values of Ubuntu and communal responsibility. Social workers have a pivotal role to play in this transformation. By embracing a form of Social Action that is contextualised, courageous, and deeply rooted in African values, they can help organise the masses to demand and build a corrupt-free continent. The journey involves moving from reactive despair to proactive, collective building.

The time for a socially active and decolonised African social work is now.