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07.10.2014 Feature Article

CHANGE IS INEVITABLE

CHANGE IS INEVITABLE
07.10.2014 LISTEN

Only a few years ago, we could tell when the rains would come. For the southern parts of the country, we knew of two rainy seasons, whiles for the northern sector, we knew of one rainy season. within these said seasons, we knew the months in which the rains were expected. On this particular morning, it is raining right outside my window. As I lay in bed listening to the rhythm of the rain as it falls unto the ground from my roof, I cannot help but wonder how things have turned. All around me, everything is changing. Yes, indeed, time changes. Back in school, I was taught that the weather was unpredictable but to some extent, we were all so sure of our rainy seasons, and the dry or harmattan seasons.

Right about this time, exactly a year ago, my company moved to a new construction site. It was quite an experience the very first day my foot touched those grounds, only within a few minutes, the rain started to pour! Without any warning! It was amazing to realize, only a few meters away, right in the neighbouring town, that it had not rained there! Not even a single drop! For a year now, the rains have still been pouring! All around me, people keep complaining about the heavy downpours. Of course, things have changed! Even our rainfall patterns! Nothing remains the same forever! Time does change, and people also, do change!

In my beloved Ghana however, a change seems to be a problem! People keep doing the same things! Ghanaians continue to harbour the same mentalities and attitudes! It has been raining all through the year, and yet, I still hear politicians, pinning our energy crises on inadequate water for electricity production at our various hydroplants! Even with all the floods we have experienced, the overspilling of the dam in Burkina Faso, the excuses still remain the same, inadequate water at our hydroplants for electricity production! Of course, there is the other excuse of inadequate gas or fuel, for production of electricity, by our thermal plants! This problem has always persisted, but again, our Ghanaian behaviour and mentality, still rules the day! Will we ever find a long-term, if not lasting solution to this persistent problem? For goodness sakes, we are producing oil! And this oil, I believe, is not for cooking! What is this nation doing, to safeguard the future? By and by, the nations upon which we rely on for the supply of gas and fuel, are facing hurdles. What is Ghana doing about this issue? The frequent power outages, and fuel shortages, is a major buzz killer! It is a major dream killer! Businesses are failing, investors, are being driven away!

For sometime now, all are witnesses to the deterioration of our beloved Cedi. Somehow, we are being told that this deterioration, is being arrested, or has been arrested. As to what that means, you and I are yet to know. That is how bad things are.This problem has always persisted, but as always, our leadership seeks temporal solutions to these issues. Conveniently, for a brief while, the problem seems to be addressed, but just a few years down the lane, we face it once more. Various analysts have come up with all kinds of theories and yet, this problem still persists. Governments have come and gone, and yet, this problem still lives on! What is the Ghanaian doing about this problem?

How long would we sit and wait for others to solve our problems? When it comes to the financial problems of this nation, Ghana always looks up to the World Bank, IMF, etc. How long would this continue?

Change is inevitable. Society is dynamic. The weather is unpredictable. Nothing remains the same forever. The young, shall grow. When would Ghana learn to face her problems head-on? When would this nation learn to take her destiny into her own hands? How long would we remain dependent? One thing is quite clear, our donor nations, are themselves, facing hardships. Their various economies are beset with the same problems we are facing. Problems of unemployment, devaluing currencies, raw materials, to mention but a few.

Who would we turn to in a few decades to come? Where then lies our future?

Anna Esi Hanson ([email protected]); esociocomm.blogspot.com

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