Canadian International Development Agency (2006-2011) in Mali

Progress Report: Canadian International Development Agency (2006-2011) in Mali
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Progress Report: Canadian International Development Agency (2006-2011) in Mali
Introduction
This paper is an analysis of Canada’s development program in Mali, Western Africa. Canada has historically assisted post-colonial country in Africa, Asia, Caribbean and Latin America to achieve economic development and human centered progress. The Canadian government has been contributing to development assistance since 1950s. The government of Canada has good international reparation for providing assistance through its Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). CIDA has established multiple development partnership with local development agencies/networks across the developing world. Canada’s development assistance can be found in the following areas: sustainably agricultural projects, prolusion of scale drinking water, and promotion of integration of local producers to the market finding of literacy programs, environmental substantiality human rights promotion and gender equality.
The focus of my paper specifically will be analyzing Canada’s development assistance to the government of Mali between 2006 and 2011. The key program covered in this discussion is the Country Development Program Framework (CDPF) which was first implemented by CIDA in 2000. The strategies of this project were similar and in support of those of the Growth and Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (GPRSP, 2007-2011) implemented by the Government of Mali. Both programs had a common goal of uplifting the living standards of Mali’s population. In addition, the CDPF program was in focus of improving food security, the welfare of children and youth, and the economic sustainability in Mali, which have been part of CIDA’s international priorities for a long time (Lavergne & Branch, (2002). The paper will be address the implementation, impact, and efficiency of Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) programs in Mali between 2006 and 2011.
Analysis and Discussion
According to Goldsmith (2001), Canada and Mali established diplomatic relations in 1962 and the first development assistance projects followed in 1972. According to the UNDP 2014 report, Mali was ranked among the countries with the least Human Development Index (Ács, Szerb, & Autio, 2016). In 2014, 50.6 % of Mali's 15.8 million inhabitants lived on less than US $ 1.90 per day and 47.5% of the population was under 15 years of age. The country has an adult illiteracy rate of about 66% and higher infant and maternal mortality, morbidity and malnutrition rates than most countries in sub-Saharan Africa. In 2014, life expectancy at birth was only 58 years old. Mali has endured internal strife for more than five years following the 2012 coup. Canada condemned the coup and suspended direct financial support to the government from its development assistance program. This continued until February 2014. During this period, Canada provided humanitarian assistance to help Malians deal with the crisis while maintaining development initiatives focused on the delivery of basic services. Since February 2014, Canada has resumed its programming in order to help Mali restart its development, peace and stability while continuing to respond to humanitarian needs in Mali and bordering countries.
During the time of evaluation (2006-2011), CIDA had disbursed C$486.5 million in support of the CDPF program in Mali (Mali Country Program Evaluation 2006-2007 - 2010-2011 - Synthesis Report. 2013). In 2006, more than half of Mali’s citizens lived below then income poverty line which prompted the government of Mali to implement GPRSP, whose aim was to strengthen its economic and political policies, and avail better social amenities to its citizens. CDPF was ultimately in support of GPRSP initiative of decentralizing its humanitarian and social support to the people of Mali. The aims of the program were categorized into three intertwining objectives. First, it aimed at improving health services and strengthening the education standards available to the people of Mali, but with a close focus on females. The second aim was to improve food security across the country by facilitating better agricultural production methods and availing other farmer-supporting programs such as produce marketing and financial services. Lastly, the program aimed at promoting peace and proper administration by supporting the Government of Mali. Based on various aspects, the 2006-2011 CIDA’s program in Mali had a positive significance in relation to Canada’s international aid themes. It was a relevant program for its strategies aligned to those of Growth and Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (GPRSP) implemented by the Government of Mali in 2007. The CDPF program effectively envisioned the needs of Mali in its investments.
During it implementation, progress, and budgeting, the CIDA’s program in Mali adopted an effective approach and practices required in aid programs. It had good aid coordination mechanisms and strategy lay outs which were internationally acknowledged (Goldfarb & Tapp, 2006). However, the program encountered several field challenges while trying to collaborate with various stakeholders. There are many significant contributions to the people of Mali which can be directly attributed to the presence of CIDA. This can be noticed across various social, economic, and political sectors in the country especially in health services, education, food production, civil development, and public administration. For instance, the program was able to decentralize both education and health service programs in Mali. In education, an integrated system was introduced to allow continuous learning for teachers and eased learner’s access to study materials. The program also improved learners’ attendance to schools by supporting the school-feeding program across the country.
The CDPF program assisted in decentralizing health service delivery in Mali. A decentralized health system allowed even distribution and development of health services across the nation. It also enabled easier and effective administration and service delivery in me...