A poor infrastructure hinders under developed countries from progressing and modernizing. Some people think this should be the first problem tackled by foreign aid. To what extent do you agree?

Most developing countries fail to grow beyond a certain level because of the lack of adequate

infrastructure

.

Hence

, some people argue that foreign assistance should be primarily used to confront

this

problem. I partly agree with

this

idea. While I do admit that

infrastructure

is important, it is not the unique factor determining the success of a nation. One of the key problems that plague developing and underdeveloped countries is the lack of adequate

infrastructure

.

For example

, many of them do not have an extensive network of roads or railways.

Likewise

, they do not have enough power supplies or water distribution systems. Clearly, foreigners do not want to invest in

such

countries.

Infrastructure

development

requires a great deal of capital. Since poor countries cannot afford to invest that kind of money, they have to struggle with inadequate

infrastructure

. Unluckily,

this

limits their growth prospects. Developed countries are unlikely to invest in developing countries that do not have good

infrastructure

. That explains why foreign investors are bullish on countries like China where they have excellent

infrastructure

conducive for growth.

By contrast

, few entrepreneurs want to invest in African countries where the

infrastructure

barely exists. Of course, while China is on the path to growth, African nations are still struggling.

Hence

, the argument that foreign assistance should be primarily used for developing

infrastructure

absolutely holds relatively. Even so, it is preposterous to utilize the entire aid received from abroad for improving

infrastructure

. Better

infrastructure

alone will not ensure the

development

of a nation. Along with

infrastructure

, a nation needs healthy and educated citizens capable of giving back to the society. For

this

reason, it is important to invest in areas like education and health.

In addition

to building schools and hospitals, the government must ensure that quality education and health care are provided at these places for free or at affordable rates. Social welfare schemes should

in addition

be given a push. In conclusion, I contend that

infrastructure

development

is certainly important, and a fraction of the foreign assistance should be used for

this

purpose.

However

, it is equally important to invest in key human

development

areas like education, healthcare and social welfare.