Which of the following is not an argument for the policy of privatization in West Africa?

Answer Details

Privatization is the transfer of ownership and control of government-owned enterprises to the private sector. The standard arguments in favour of privatization include:

• Making businesses more profitable through private-sector efficiency and the profit motive.
• Encouraging the inflow of capital and expertise from both local and foreign investors.
• Allowing members of the public to acquire shares, thereby broadening ownership and participation in the economy.

The statement that the government is able to participate and control the operation of the privatized businesses is not an argument for privatization. In fact, it contradicts the very purpose of privatization. The whole point of privatizing an enterprise is to remove or significantly reduce government involvement in its management and operations. If the government retained control, the enterprise would not be truly privatized - it would remain, in effect, a state-controlled business.

This option describes a feature of public enterprise or partial nationalization, not privatization. In an examination, when asked for the exception in a list, look for the option that contradicts the defining characteristics of the concept.