Emerging from the recent sex scandal that almost tainted its image, IMF elected for the first time since its existence a female as its next managing director and chairman. This is seen as a welcome development and turnaround from its old male-dominated institution. Although in many quarters, it had been seen as a foregone conclusion after she won the backing of the IMF's heavyweights - the United States, Russia, China and the Europeans. My view on this is, whether her appointment was a selection or an election, this has shown that IMF (in a bid to save its face) can swallow its manly ego and diversify.
Sometime in May, I wrote about IMF’s rigidness to western ideologies, at the expense of the rest of the world. Though I joined in congratulating Christine Lagarde on her new appointment, but I still maintain my stance, that IMF’s board and governing council are racist. Why must the person at the helm of affairs be European? Does it mean the best person for the post can only be found in EU states or the America? Is there no black or Asian or Arab that is as well suited for the job? The list is endless.
African elites should rise up to the task and vie for positions at the helm of affairs in IMF. If the so-called IMF’s policies affect us in one way or the other, then we must be well represented. We should not sit back and allow them to dictate and decide on how to run and manage our resources for us. IMF should do more than just giving a female a chance at topmost level of affairs; they should broaden their horizon and allow other races a level-playing field.
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