In recent past, one could sense a great feeling of pride among Ghanaians. The people had the cause to be proud because they belong to a country that has been endowed with rich human resource, abundant natural resources, unadulterated cultural heritage, and of course, a peaceful democratic environment. In fact, before 1957, the country was called the Gold Coast (Land of Gold) in apparent reference to the abundance of gold deposits along her coast. Ghana still ranks second to South Africa in terms of gold production in Africa. The proud Ghanaian, when arguing with his neighbours, could boast of his country being the first among sub-Saharan Africa countries to win political independence.
Whilst Ghana plays second fiddle to La Cote D’Ivoire in terms of cocoa production in the world, agriculture has proven to be the mainstay of the economy. Ghana’s total land area has beautiful touristic attractions, such as beautiful parks, mountains, rivers and waterfalls and the fertility of the land is the envy of all. One could even produce all types of food crops throughout the season. Out of the numerous rivers, Ghana has been able to build the largest man-made lake in the world and through this; hydro-electric power is generated for local consumption and for exports. The recently-built Bui Dam is an added value. The sea with its beaches, acts as place for domestic and international holiday makers. The climatic condition is so favourable that if the academic wisdom from the so-called elites were applied to maximise our resources, poverty would definitely be a thing of the past. Similarly, our religious inclination is so strong that if religion were to be a criterion to judge a country as a developed nation, Ghana would be the leader among the G-8 nations. This is because Ghanaians pray and worship God 24/7 sometimes with the wrong notion that all their socio-economic, spiritual and political problems could and should be solved by God.
In the field of sports, Ghana has not been found wanting at all, because the junior national teams – the Black Starlets, the Black Satellites, and the Black Meteors have taken the world by storm by winning gold, silver and bronze medals at different stages of the world football competitions. The splendid performance of the senior national team – the Black Stars at World Cups since 2006, coupled with the Gold Medal won by the Black Queens (female national team) at the All Africa Games, is a clear testimony of our God-given talent in sports.
However, in spite of such benevolence from God, Ghanaians are still in the quagmire of economic hardship. Our education system is in a mess; graduate unemployment is on the increase; and our currency is always in contest with Osain Bolt to win the 100m race. Therefore, we do not need a rocket scientist to tell us that, the right balance has not been struck between our human resource capacity and the other natural resources to make our lives better. We have allowed greed, selfishness, and corruption to influence our thoughts and actions. The very institutions - Judiciary, Police, which are mandated to protect our rights, liberties, and lives are more than our worst enemies. But, where exactly is the problem emanating from?
To Nana Akufo-Addo, the problem is all about leadership. He posits; "God did not put us on this rich land for us to be poor. It is bad leadership that is making us poor. Corruption is what has brought us this far”. Whilst agreeing with Nana Addo on his take on our economic woes, one question that needs an answer is this; "Who put that leadership in place and what accounted for their action? It is the same Ghanaian voter, who preferred "Edey bee K3k3", laptop, cash, lies and propaganda to "Free SHS" and "Structural transformation of the economy". How patriotic could these people be, looking at the sacrifices our forebears made in the past for us? Not only did some shed their blood to kick against colonial rule; but there were others who were maimed to life, and many others who lost their properties.
It is thus imperative for our generation to be touched by the plight of our forefathers, and reciprocate their gesture by getting the right leadership in place. We cannot trust the P/NDC any longer, for, they have 'wasted' 27 out of 57 years of our political independence. The Party's leader, president John Mahama who had virtually everything free in life - wife, education, MP, deputy minister, vice presidency, and presidency, presidential palace, presidential jet, social interventions, and oil-revenue has managed not only to plunge this country into total darkness, but also create, loot, and share with over GHC90b debt on our neck. But, on spite of all this, there is hope ahead as all is not lost yet. Another opportunity beckons us in 2016, and we have a huge responsibility to reverse the trend and bring Ghana back onto the path of progress and prosperity. This can only be possible if we canvass for more votes for Nana Akufo-Addo and NPP Parliamentary Candidates.
It is my hope that all potential voters would put Ghana first and vote for a better alternative in 2016. Admittedly, the NPP might have her political weaknesses, but in a situation where one is to make a choice between two 'evils', it's better to go for the "lesser evil". Let's therefore act and act well for the sake of the future generation.
God bless Ghana! God bless Nana Akufo-Addo!! God bless Kufuor!!!
Katakyie Kwame Opoku Agyemang, Asante Bekwai-Asakyiri
([email protected])
0202471070 // 0547851100 // 0264931361
"Vision, coupled with persistency, results in true success"