By Yankuba Jambang

A new university text and library reference book on Africa titled; Africa: Opposing Viewpoints is out in paperback and hardcover print. The book, a compilation of the research work of academics, development professionals, and research fellows from around the world, takes a critical look at African development woes from different angles; often arguing a series of opposing views convincingly.

The text produced by Gale Cengage Learning, a supplier of university text books and library references, and printed by Greenhaven Press, brings together issues about contemporary African in ways that shed light on and highlights the hopes and challenges faced by the continent. The newest edition of the text; Africa: Opposing Viewpoints, includes a twelve page chapter, the longest in the textbook, of a research work on African development entitled; Foreign Aid Does Not Benefit Africa by Mathew K Jallow. Others whose research earned chapters in textbook include; Bruce Gilley, Professor of Political Science, Princeton University, Vice Admiral Robert T Moeller, RTD, US Navy; Charles Kenny, a senior fellow at the Center for Global Development, and former US Senator, Russ Fiengold.

Mathew K Jallow's chapter argues about how foreign aid has not helped Africa develop, and in fact has contributed to Africa’s continued underdevelopment and dependency. His cites poor planning, wrong priorities, endemic corruption by politicians and bureaucrats and lack of over- sight as some of the factors contributing to the continents continued underdevelopment.

The edition, Africa: Opposing Viewpoints; ISBN: 9780737757033, is available on Amazon.com. For those interested in African issues, it is a must read and a collection for private library.