Introduction

A position paper on the importance of the human factor to Africa's development.much. The understanding that the HF approach to development must improve human welfare means that people need, among other things, food, clean water, adequate clothing, decent housing, access to efficient health care and efficient transportation. The HF approach understands that these, Ihrrrgs do not happen on their own_biit are producedl'Development also means the production of goods to satisfy human nced^-r The goods produced include tools. Our people need technology to make their production effective. But they must first develop the capacity to produce that technology themselves and the appropriate skills and personnel to man it responsibly. Thus, the HF development agenda has two sides to it. Both complement each other. They can, therefore, be collapsed together and expressed as one, thus: to develop the creative potential of our, people so that they can rely on their own effort and initiative to develop themselves and their own economy. In this way, they-become their own masters and their own prime movers. Most importantly, they become independent and fully responsible and accountable for the successes and failures of the development programmes and agendas they initiate or choose to follow.International Institute for Human Factor Developmen