Written by: Vitus Dono (MSc OD, ODCC, EMODAL)
First Published: September 6, 2015, on www.vitusodconsult.com
Africa is burdened with shortsighted and eccentric political practices that have long perpetuated its state of underdevelopment and disaster. It is a paradox that, while Africans are among the world’s wealthiest individuals, the continent itself remains one of the poorest. Despite Africa’s abundance of valuable minerals and natural reserves, mismanagement of these assets is a glaring issue. This raises questions about the practical application of the extensive educational qualifications held by many African leaders in the continent’s development.
Organizational Development (OD) offers a way forward. OD is about helping organizations self-reflect, self-regulate, and take control of their improvement and learning processes (Kaplan, 1996). Its goal is to help organizations achieve their intended purpose effectively (Kumawu and Kraus, 2007).
OD involves a systematically planned effort to transform an organization into a higher, healthier, and self-sustaining performance level through critical capacity assessment and planned interventions. Its strength lies in using the Action Research Model, which emphasizes data gathering and analysis to understand the organization’s true state before planning actions. African leaders often rely on assumptions that lead to temporary solutions, masking the real problems. Most visible issues are symptoms of deeper systemic defects. Therefore, African organizations must embrace OD’s tested and proven processes if there is any hope for transforming the continent.
The ultimate goal of OD is to enhance organizational effectiveness, as defined by the organization itself. Embedding OD principles into political and governmental organizations across Africa is crucial for the continent’s true transformation.
References:
- Kaplan, Allan (1996). The Development Practitioner’s Handbook. London: Pluto Press.
- Noble Kumawu and William A. Kraus (2007). Global Organization Development: A Model for Africa and the World. OCIC, Accra, Ghana.
For more information on Organizational Development:
- Visit the College for Community and Organisation Development (CCOD) at www.ccod.edu.gh, the premier OD technical university in Africa. CCOD focuses on developing appreciative leaders, entrepreneurs, professionals, and academics using behavioral science approaches to promote personal and organizational effectiveness and transformation.
- CCOD is an official partner of the Institute of Organization Development (IOD), Florida, USA, accredited by the National Accreditation Board (NAB), and affiliated with the University for Development Studies (UDS), Ghana