Radio spots on public debt

You might have heard that (name of your country) has a lot of public debt. You may have heard that many African countries have a lot of debt.

But what is public debt? And who is it owed to?

Public debt is money owed by governments to other governments, or to international financial institutions like the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, to private companies and banks, or to private individuals.

African governments are in debt because they have borrowed money. But they are also in debt because of the way the world economic system is structured, because of the history of colonialism, and because of illegal and corrupt ways that money crosses national borders.

When governments owe a lot of public debt, they often cut back on public services such as healthcare, education, and support for farmers.

How do you feel about the debt that your country owes? How does it impact you and your family? Talk to your friends, family, neighbours, local or regional politicians and traditional authorities about debt, and about what you can do to change the situation.

 

Spot #2: Rising food prices

Good morning, (name), are you going to the market?

Yes, (name), are you coming?

No, but can you pick me up some greens and onions. Here’s 20,000 shillings (CHANGE TO SMALL AMOUNT OF MONEY IN YOUR COUNTRY’S CURRENCY).

LAUGHING) When was the last time you went to the market?

Why?

Twenty thousand won’t get you one day’s food.

What???!!!

Everything is more expensive these days.

Why?

Well, I heard on the radio that (name of your country) is so badly in debt that we’ve stopped fixing country roads. Now the roads are so bad that transporting food is more expensive.

Who are we in debt to?

The World Bank, private banks, lots of different people.

So are we supposed to starve?

Good question. Why don’t you ask the politicians we elected?

I will. I didn’t cause this debt. Why should I pay for it? There must be a better way.

When a country is in debt, its people often suffer. But there are solutions. Talk to your local politicians and traditional authorities.

Spot #3: Rising cost of healthcare

Good morning, nurse. I’ve come for my daughter’s vaccination.

Ok. But there have been some changes.

What sort of changes?

You will have to pay (AN EXPENSIVE AMOUNT IN LOCAL CURRENCY) to get your daughter vaccinated.

What?? But it has always been free!

I know. But there’s a new government policy. Personally, I think the government is so much in debt that they can’t afford to pay for people to get vaccinated.

(ANGRY) Why don’t they tax rich foreign companies rather than taking necessary services away from poor people who need them?

Good question. You should ask your local politician.

When governments are deeply in debt, they may cut back on public services like healthcare and education.

But governments have other options. Talk to your friends, family, and neighbours about it. And talk to your local politicians and traditional authorities.

 

Spot #4: Participatory budgeting

(Name), what is happening in our town? Our school fees have doubled, I had to pay a lot for our daughters’ vaccinations, and food is more expensive every week!

I know, (name). A friend of mine says the government had to cut back on public services so we could get a loan from the World Bank.

But why should the World Bank tell our government what to do about our country’s public services?

I agree. It’s totally unfair.

What can we do?

There’s a meeting next week about something called participatory budgeting. That’s when ordinary citizens like you and me meet with officials and make decisions about what to spend public money on.

Let’s go!

Participatory budgeting is when local authorities and residents work together to decide how to spend the public budget.

It ensures that public resources are spent on the most important community needs.

So talk to people, including local politicians and traditional leaders, about starting participatory budgeting in your area.

 

Spot #5: Impact of public debt on women’s jobs

Many African countries have a high level of public debt. And that debt has serious effects on women’s jobs and economic well-being.

When governments are in debt, they often cut social protection, healthcare, and services to prevent and respond to domestic violence. But women hold many of the jobs in these sectors. When budgets are cut, women lose their jobs or have their working hours reduced.

Women also hold most of the lowest, most vulnerable positions in the civil service. When budgets are cut, they are often the first to lose their jobs.

When care services are cut, women step to provide care at home, often leaving paid employment.

Public debt hurts everyone, but it hurts women the most.

The good news is that governments have other options than cutting public services. Talk to your friends, family, and neighbours about this. And talk to your local politicians and traditional leaders.

Spot #6: Three things African governments can do about the unjust global economic systems

Public debt hurts everyone—women, men, and children. Here are three ways African national governments can help solve the problem by changing how the global economic system works. First, African governments can work together for a freeze on debt repayment for all African countries for two years. Second, African governments can collaborate with other countries to create a legally binding UN treaty that holds multinational corporations accountable for the impacts of their actions around the world. And third, African countries can promote the understanding that cancelling national debt is not about charity, but about compensating African countries for past injustice.

These goals are not easy to achieve, but they are the right and the just thing to do. Talk to your friends, your neighbours, and your local politicians and traditional leaders about them.

 

Spot #7: Increase transparency of lending and borrowing to hold governments to account

Citizens need to know the details about government borrowing so they can be sure that public finances are being used wisely. When this information is publicly available, parliaments, media, and civil society groups such as women’s rights organizations can hold governments to account.

Here are two actions that would help achieve this goal.

First, borrowers and lenders should report all loans on a publicly available database within 30 days of contracts being signed.

Second, all major financial centres should require that all loans must be publicly declared when they are given.

Talk to your family, friends, neighbours, elected officials, and traditional leaders about making lending and borrowing more transparent.

 

Spot #8: Loan apps and predatory financing

(Name) was deeply in debt. He asked his best friend what to do.

Oh, brother, I need money.

(LIGHTLY) It’s easy to get loans these days. Just use one of those apps.

But will they give me the money? I don’t have good credit, and I have no collateral.

(LIGHTLY) Don’t worry. They’ll give you the money.

Thanks!

(Name) did get the money. But things did not work out well. He complained to his wife six months later.

The loan company wants more money all the time. I borrowed (name a small amount), and now they expect me to repay (name double that amount).

I knew it was too good to be true. We’re in big trouble.

Many lenders, including digital lenders, charge huge rates of interest, up to 100% per year. But citizens, community groups, and even governments are trying to fix the problem by setting the maximum allowable loan for different incomes, and setting maximum interest rates. Talk to your family, friends, neighbours, local politicians, and traditional leaders about stopping predatory loans in your area.

 

Spot #9: Three ways that African governments can transform national economies to better serve their citizens

Public debt hurts everyone—women, men, and children. Here are three ways African governments can change national economies.

First, African governments can prohibit private delivery of public services for health, education, and housing.

Second, African governments can gradually diversify national economies away from resource extraction. This will reduce economic vulnerability, protect the environment, and help address the climate crisis.

And third, African governments can publicize all proposed borrowing before it is approved, ensuring that the public has a say in all spending, through participatory budgeting.

These goals will not be easy to achieve, but they’re the right and the just thing to do.

So talk to your friends, your neighbours, and your local politicians and traditional leaders about them.

Spot #10: Stopping illegal movement of money

African countries lose an estimated US$88 billion every year because of illegal movements of money. These activities steal money from public services like education and childcare, and force countries to borrow money, which creates huge amounts of public debt. There are many types of illegal movement of money, including criminal activities like corruption, smuggling, and theft, but also commercial practices such as falsifying import and export documents, and illegal tax practices. Governments and citizen groups are calling for greater transparency in trade in order to stop illegal movement of money. Some countries are demanding that large companies pay their fair share of taxes in order to enter or continue in the national market. Illegal movement of money steals from national education, healthcare, and other public services. It’s time for it to stop!

Spot #11: Three more positive actions that African governments can take

Public debt hurts everyone—women, men, and children. Here are three more ways African governments can help transform national economies.

First, when planning for new loans, national governments should consider social and human development, equality, and justice for all, not just economic growth.

Second, national governments can invest in sustainable small-scale agriculture and agroecology. This will support subsistence farmers and reduce vulnerability to fluctuations in food prices for both farmers and consumers.

And third, national governments can ensure that new borrowing invests in actions that promote women’s rights. Public debt hurts everyone. But national governments can be part of the solution. Talk to your friends and family, your neighbours, and your elected officials and traditional leaders about these issues.