That’s the title of a recent editorial in the Financial Times. The editorial recounts the recent data debates. Most importantly, the FT editorial highlights how important it is to debate data openly and freely and this is in African countries’ interest . Referring to some recent events the FT writes:
International agencies should prioritise help for the region. But Africa also needs to help itself. Too often, the continent’s leaders have punished western scholars for questioning government numbers. Critical voices have even been excluded from regional economic forums by means of informal bans.
I am very pleased, and agree wholeheartedly. Read all about it here.
This blog recounts the steps the debate have taken in the FT. First, Poor Numbers was reviewed in the FT, then AfDB responded to the review, and more recently Javier Blas wrote about the investors need for data.