An Ostrich Policy relate to the inability of governments or people to acknowledge that a real problem or danger exist. Many African governments have been accused of an Ostrich Policy concerning the AIDS pandemic

AIDS pandemic

The acquired immune deficiency syndrome pandemic is a widespread disease caused by the human immunodeficiency virus .Since AIDS was first recognized in 1981, it has led to the deaths of more than 25 million people, making it one of the most destructive diseases in recorded history.Despite recent...

, of which Thabo Mbeki's

Thabo Mbeki

Thabo Mvuyelwa Mbeki is a South African politician who served two terms as the second post-apartheid President of South Africa from 14 June 1999 to 24 September 2008. He is also the brother of Moeletsi Mbeki...

 speech at the Opening Session of the 13th International AIDS Conference on July 9, 2000 in Durban, South Africa's president is probably the most notable.

According to African folklore

Folklore

Folklore consists of legends, music, oral history, proverbs, jokes, popular beliefs, fairy tales and customs that are the traditions of a culture, subculture, or group. It is also the set of practices through which those expressive genres are shared. The study of folklore is sometimes called...

, an ostrich prefer to close its eyes and hide its head in a bush or hole in the ground when facing danger. Since the ostrich can no longer see the danger, it believes that the danger no longer exists and that it is safe from the consequences of the danger, whilst the bulk of its body remains in the open and thus vulnerable to the original danger. An Ostrich Policy is therefore the inability to act appropriately to avert danger or the inevitable consequences thereof.