Abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine Africa`s reaction to the coronavirus pandemic since its appearance in China in November 2019 and subsequent rapid proliferation worldwide, including Africa. The ultimate goal was to use the disaster management narratives and strategies formulated not only in Africa but elsewhere, to help in pointing the way forward for Africa. Although all the continents took steps to address the challenge, the case of Africa was bound to raise eyebrows because despite the rich natural endowments of the continent, it has still been regarded as backward, with some observers doubting it could cope with anendemic of such a magnitude. As such, we sought to determine whether Africa was present or absent during the COVID-19 outbreak.Methodology: We analyzed secondary research sources such as published articles, speeches, press releases and books; as well as online sources, notably the Google website, and institutional databases such as that of the United Nations organizations. We employed the post-structural/structural theoretical framework of “presented signifiers” referring to “absented signifieds” in order to gain a deeper epistemological understanding of the notions of presentation, representation, and re-presentation as they relate to Africa in the context of COVID-19. .Findings: Our study revealed that while Africa was – just like the other continents - taken by surprise by the outbreak, it still took a number of preventive measures and patient treatment that contributed in curbing the spread of the disease. The proof is that the huge numbers of casualties that some observers had predicted for Africa did not materialize as anticipated, especially at a time when the progression curve of the pandemic is believed to have started peaking already. Instead, in terms of number of people infected, the dead and the recovered, Africa seems to have done rather well.Conclusions: COVID-19 has undoubtedly served as an eye-opener to African policy makers. Firstly, it gives them the opportunity to prepare their countries better for a subsequent pandemic. Secondly, the crisis has exposed weaknesses in public policy and governance which African nations must seriously address. One of them is the realization that corruption is still endemic on the continent, the reason being that some officials abused COVID-19 resources placed at their disposal for the benefit of the general public. Africa will also have to strengthen its social policy in terms of education and literacy, as well as provide better health services.
Keywords: COVID-19, Coronavirus, Pandemic, Africa, Responses, Absences.
Title: AFRICAN RESPONSES TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC: ABSENT PRESENCES OR PRESENT ABSENCES?
Author: Tikum Mbah Azonga
International Journal of Social Science and Humanities Research
ISSN 2348-3156 (Print), ISSN 2348-3164 (online)
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