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31.03.2014 Feature Article

The Timeline Of Ghana

The Timeline Of Ghana
31.03.2014 LISTEN

We reminded ourselves not long ago, exactly on the 6th of March, of how our beloved Nkrumah gave us these words that we shall forever remember: “At long last, the battle has ended! And thus, Ghana, your beloved country is free forever!” Unfortunately for us, many years down the lane, various generations of our leaders are undoing what are fore bearers had set to do. What is it we celebrate every year on 6th March? Political independence was won for us, and the platform was set for economic independence.

In Nkrumah's own work Neo-colonialism, the Last Stage of Imperialism, this extremely foresighted personality adequately described what Imperialism was doing and was bound to do in the future. Today, all is clear. All of Nkrumah's predictions have come to pass! And who took any proactive measures to defend Ghana?

Before this, Vladimir Lenin of the Soviet Union, had analyzed the world of his days and clearly recorded his findings in Imperialism, the Highest Stage of Capitalism. In summary, he pointed out the benefits that the Capitalist were deriving by “trading” with the new world, and set to maintain the status quo at all cost hence the need to colonize every other continent except Europe. It was doubled sided strategy: get cheap (or free) raw materials from the colonized people and then sell their industrial products to the same people (us). So they gained twice. And what did we gain?

Someway somehow, we got our independence, at least politically. Yet, nothing has changed! I dare to say, things are getting worse! Our country which was built with the toil of hardworking farmers, is about to sell the “rights” and “lives” of these farmers to multinational companies through the famous, or shall I say infamous Plant Breeders Bill! Is this what we intend to do with the hands that feed us? Under the disguise of modern democracy, our leaders plan to sell our freedom to Capitalists (they happen to be the same Imperialists mentioned earlier). Like our people say, it is only a fool whose testicles are stepped upon twice! This is the modern day Bond of 1844 (well, Bond of 2014). Here we have cyclic comedy of “errors” waiting to happen after 170 years.

This same government of ours, one of the people, by the people and for the people, cannot take a strong and favorable position as to the EPA. They are hiding under the cloud of ECOWAS to accept the decision. Mr. President, at least for we Ghanaians, we will say little about what ECOWAS thinks. But Ghana is for us Ghanaians and we need to defend her. (Article 1 and 3 of the 1992 Constitution). What this government is about to do is to subvert our sovereignty! Is that why we elected you? Do you remember the Oath you took as President? If you go ahead with this Mr. President, our infant industries will drown under the flood waters of European goods!

Let's do the math: the services sector is the largest part of our economy. Under this is Telecommunications. The last time I checked, none of the telephone companies operating within our borders is Ghanaian. Industry is our second largest income earner. This, Mahama et al intend to destroy by signing the EPA. By the way, we already earn peanuts from the extractive subsector. Thirdly, comes Agriculture. This too is about to be sabotaged through the Plant Breeders Bill. At the end of the day, what will we be left with? A rich nation (continent) of poor people. We'll become (economic) slaves, once again.

So you can see our position tomorrow. We'll have nothing. And the vicious cycle of poverty continues. This is not exactly rocket science or neurosurgery. Its common sense. I bet simple semiconductor, if it were the President of Ghana, can take a good decision for Ghana. And Mr. President, read the books I mentioned, if you already haven't. A word to the wise, is enough.

Yawa K. Dogwood.
[email protected]

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