Ghana’s National Economic Forum: A Necessary Evil?

“A nation without a commonly built economic policy is like a gold bar wrapped in white handkerchief and put in a gleaming coffin. Every national policy would be introduced under a particular regime, whether you believe in that regime or not once it is a good cause, let us embrace it in the spirit of true patriotism.”

The need for a national economic forum as a way of bringing fine brains in the economic taxonomy to a round table to deliberate on serious matters that underpin the economic progress and general development of the nation has been long overdue. Many nations have tried it and it has worked for them.

Interestingly, Africa, where poverty abounds, political intolerance and coup d'états are on the ascendency, a strong national economic policy seems to be a past history. It has always been the problem that those in opposition feel such a policy direction would to some extent favour the incumbent government to hold on to power. Incumbent governments often show clear signs of “we-did-it” all alone without appreciating the efforts of those from the other political divides.

The lack of appreciation on the part of incumbent governments and the insecurity of opposition parties in African democratic dispensation are wreaking so much tragedy in our continent. It is about time African politicians and their followers understood clearly, the nuts and bolts of democracy.

Ghana is not the only African country calling for an all-inclusive economic forum. South Africa already has in place a National Development Plan (NDP) which is serving as a guide for the nation's development. Our problems as a nation did not start in Atta Mills' or Mahama's eras. I am not surprised that Dr Rawlings says our economic woes started in 2001, but I will say they started right after Nkrumah's exit. The records show that our progress as a nation compared with other nations like Malaysia, Indonesia, Sierra Leone and Liberia (before the civil wars), China and Ivory Coast. It is also not the first of its kind in Ghana that a national economic forum is being held __ in 1997 President Rawlings held the National Development Planning Commission; in 2001 and 2002, the then President Kufuor also held what was dubbed the National Economic Dialogue to discuss issues concerning the country's economy.

It was not for nothing that the World Economic Forum decided to hold the African Economic Summit in Nigeria this year __ Nigerians share in the vision of national economic fora and policies.

The US has since its independence had a national development plan guiding every successive government. And their economy is one of the best if not the best in the world. Almost all the giant economies in the world do have national economic policies that guide their activities. Mention can be made of the economies of Japan, Germany, China, France, United Kingdom, Australia, Italy, Russia, India and Brazil.

The Aim
The four-day forum, which is held under the theme, "Changing the narrative: Building a National Consensus for Economic and Social Transformation” commenced on Tuesday, May 13. According to the Government it aims at "achieving consensus on policies, strategies and measures that are, required to accelerate Ghana's transition from a lower middle income nation to an upper middle income economy with sustainable path of development that guarantees improvements in the quality of life for all Ghanaians.” I believe that any forum that seeks to discuss issues pertinent to the growth and betterment of a nation should be given optimum support by all and sundry.

Indeed, I could not agree less with Mthuli Ncube, the Deputy President of the African Development Bank, that millions of African youths enter the labour market every year to look for jobs which do not even exist. This, to her, is as a result of African countries' inability to translate their economic growth into the kind of economy that can create jobs to absorb the youth. This explicitly accentuates the need for African countries of which Ghana is no exception to diversify their economies to be able to meet contemporary global financial challenges upfront.

Expectations of Ghanaians
Like the optimistic President Mahama, many Ghanaians including political bigwigs like Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom are of the conviction that Ghana will emerge victorious after the forum. Specifically, we expect that, to avoid the forum being described as a mere political gimmick, the following shall be critically looked into:

I. a final economic strategy should be developed;
II. a legal power cementing such economic strategy/policy should be passed;

III. a legal backing all-inclusive team of experts should be put in charge, the team should be part of the civil/public service and not by political appointment;

IV. the team should be free from any governmental interference and have enough resources to operate effectively;

Again, whatever the strategies may be, we should not forget that the problems confronting the nation are multifaceted encapsulating several issues concerning agriculture, depreciation of the cedi, creation of jobs, realistic wages and salaries, pension schemes, better management of proceeds from the oil and gas, private sector development (especially small scale industries), education, sanitation, health, energy and water.

My Charge to All Political Parties and Their Members

We should all endeavour to throw our weight behind such clarion calls irrespective of our political affiliations. Indeed, no political party, group or individual should be greater than one's nation.

Political parties and their members should take the constitutional provision in Article 55 (3) which states that “a political party is free to participate in shaping the political will of the people, to disseminate information on political ideas, social and economic programs of a national character” seriously. That notwithstanding, parties in power should eschew deliberately scheming to make it difficult or impossible for opposition parties to participate in such all-important events. It will also make it difficult for any party in opposition to boycott such events under the pretext of late invitation. We should all bear in mind that such fora are not for hanky-panky games and so, those invited should be given ample time to prepare adequately in order to make inform inputs.

Lest I forget, let me with my eyes fully open, prophesy that the best economic policy any African country needs is HONESTY. As a consequence, the implementation of whatever decisions that are taken at the forum should be devoid of any bigotry.

Isaac Nunoo Is A Communicator And Researcher