Ghana Needs A New Sense Of Ownership

The Writer

On the last day of 2015, the former president J. J. Rawlings expressed yet another frustration, wondering the colour of our democracy. He was reported as saying “The colour of the democracy especially from the period of 2000 appears to lack the will, the capacity and the ability to fight corruption.” For me, the problem is far more than Corruption!

I pray this epistle would sit and sink with all Ghanaians, whether you are politically or apolitically inclined. In my quiet moments, I feel highly discouraged about life and for Africa, in many instances, these discouraging thoughts gain more backing from the facts that our Lord Jesus Christ, Prophet Mohammed (SAW) and all other prophets walked the surface of this earth, purposely to exterminate evil in human society but up till now, the world still wallows in evil, corruption, adultery, prostitution, murder and many other crimes. The conclusion that follows these, usually long brain racking pondering is that, “don’t worry yourself, just live your life and leave this troubled world when your time comes”. On the other hand, in my positive and highly spirited mood, the angels tell me “let your voice be heard, God and Ghanaians will agree and move along with you”. I gain more motivation from God Himself, some apolitical clergymen, former President J. J. Rawlings, Anas Arimeeyaw Anas, Dr. Martin Amudu, Manasseh Azure Awuni, and finally from Albert Einstein, The Nobel Laureate Physicist who said “The World will not be destroyed by those who do evil, but by those who watch them without doing anything”.

CAPITALISM AND OWNWERSHIP
The world’s economy is without doubt dominated by capitalism and property ownership of the global resources. The glaring mismanagement of public resources in the past has necessitated that paradigm shift to private ownership and for that matter privatization of almost all state owned enterprises. It is an economic decision that I am personally in total support of. Though privatization comes with its own challenges, its merits far outweigh that of public sector management of national resources. The concept of privatization and the sense of ownership ensure quality and efficient management of the owners’ resources. One case in point is the comparison between State Transport Corporation (STC) and privately owned transport companies in the country (i.e. OA, VIP, VVIP Transport Companies); we can all bear witness to the discrepancies in the efficiencies in their managements. Now my question is, after all state owned companies are divested and privatized, in whose hands do we leave “the sense of ownership of the state Ghana”? Is it in the hands of our Chiefs, our Politicians, our Religious Leaders, the Academia, or the ordinary Ghanaian? In other jurisdictions around the world, the Queen, the King, the Royal Family, the House of Lords, the Upper Chamber, the Ordinary Citizenry etc. possesses that sense of ownership and responsibility to protect the nation’s interest.

THE RESOLVE TO MAKE HEROES OF OUR OWN
This is where my heart bleeds not only for Ghana but Africa as a whole. I always wonder and continually ask myself whether we do truly love ourselves as Africans? Taking the UK for instance, they have made greatness out of their gifted individual citizens and idolised them. These idolised persons are engineered to make positive impacts on the populace and subsequent generations; Charles Darwin (1809–1882, Naturalist), William Shakespeare (1564–1616, Poet and Playwright), Sir Isaac Newton (1642–1727, Physicist, Mathematician, Astronomer, Natural Philosopher and Biblical Scholar), John Lennon (1940–1980, Composer, Musician, Philanthropist, Peace Activist, Artist, and Writer), recently David Becham etc. When we go to the USA, the list of idolised personalities is endless. These idolized individuals are highly revered and celebrated. Important events and locations are named after them, books written about them, numerous commercial interests are attached to their names, ideas or discoveries and harnessed, backed by a well-orchestrated media hype, to make huge financial fortunes from them.

However, in Ghana we are yet to come to that realization. All our contracts are awarded to foreigners, the entire media landscape is awash with foreign goods, our shops, stores, malls are filled with foreign goods, prices of everything keeps rising, our educational system is in the stream of deterioration, rising unemployment with our universities annually churning out thousands of graduates, the most dangerous of all is, our dining tables are jam-packed with imported foodstuffs. Nonetheless, political leadership after political leadership have continually admonished us to bite the bullet a bit, tighten our belts a bit more, not sacrifice nationalism for negativity or remain positive but the realities on the ground are not getting any better. How can we truthfully remain positive?

Meanwhile Nature has been overly kind to us with all the natural resources. We are also blessed with quality human resources that the nation can rally around and build this nation to the admiration of the world. I would use only two Ghanaians for the purpose of this epistle, though there are many great Ghanaians. Prof. Frimpong Boateng, undoubtedly a global great Physician and Cardiothoracic Surgeon; the nation can rally around this great man to make Ghana a Mecca for heart solutions and a hub for training Heart Surgeons. A revered Natural Medicine Advocate and Journalist, Oheneba Ntim Barimah; this man’s passion and erudition could be harnessed, supported to develop a curriculum, train thousands of our youths in Natural Medicine, and just as Cuba, Ghana would be exporting Heart Surgeons and Natural Medicine Doctors. This is just two personalities and in the Health Sector only, not to talk of the numerous skilled and knowledgeable Ghanaians in the various sectors of our economy.

My dear countrymen and women, Experts in the field of Supply Chain can help me advance this argument; Assuming Ghana becomes the Mecca for Heart Surgery and Alternative Medicine, what would be the rippling or trickle down effects on the other Sectors of the Economy i.e. our transportation industry, tourism and the hospitality industries, employment, supply of health equipment and drugs, production and research into medicinal plants and drugs, trade, businesses etc?

THE PROBLEM IS NOT THE “WHITEMAN”
In my other pensive moments, I wonder whether it is the “Whiteman” who has consistently orchestrated the Africans’ under-development? I can confidently conclude, after several researches say that, the “Whiteman” is not the problem. The “Whiteman”, so to speak, has rather wondered and studied the “African” over the centuries and have made some damning conclusions about the “African”; some of which are very uncomplimentary, but the relevant ones for my purpose are that the “African” is not hard working, innately corrupt, however have penchants for materialism. This in my view makes the “African” not really seek the interest of the majority for that matter national interest but rather sought to satisfy his or her immediate personal interests. From my observations, the “Whiteman” has over the years capitalized on these weaknesses of the “African” to advance his interests. This in my sincere opinion is the main contributor to Africa’s under-development.

The Western or the Eastern World would never hold us back if we have resolved as a group of people to pursue sincere economic development. Malaysia, Singapore, the Koreas, China, Brazil and many countries have done it and we can also make it. Let us transform our individualistic thinking into a “thinking-in-the-interest-of-all”.

GHANA NEEDS A KIND OF OWNERS WHO MUST BE RELIGIOUSLY APOLITICAL

In my previous analysis, I thought of proposing an Upper Chamber or a semblance of the House of Lords as it pertains in other jurisdictions. Here the membership of the Chamber would be either through election or by appointment based on a lifetime achievement as a Ghanaian. However, upon another thoughtful analysis, I felt that could also be another drain on the state.

I therefore, in all honesty and for the love of the nation Ghana and to whomever dearly have Ghana at heart to consider the following proposals to move Ghana forward:

1. A cross-section of majority of Ghanaian citizenry should remain APOLITICAL as much as possible. The cliché that must guide this stance is, the moment you become an active and publicly known member, you can never join any political party or whatsoever in this country. I think sixty percent (60%) of the populace comprising this group will be of huge influence.
2. This APOLITICAL Citizenry should have a motto of religiously protecting our national and majority interests.
3. This APOLITICAL Citizenry, aside having a loud voice on issues of national development should take the next action to engage MMDCEs, Directors of all public institutions, the Chief Directors of Ministries, all Ministers of State, Boards of public institutions, the President as well as any other shade of leadership. These engagements could be through letters, press conferences and civil lawsuits.
4. This APOLITICAL Citizenry must protect their guards against political infiltration. The Problem of infiltration arises with the issue of financing their activities. I firmly believe that, the contributions from the membership and the subsequent successes the group would chalk in the pursuance of protecting the majority interests, will attract many apolitical corporate organisations and other well-meaning Ghanaians to contribute financially towards that goal. However, the group should be highly selective in accepting either financial or technical supports from international organisations.
5. Finally the MODI OPERANDI would be a non-demonstration, a non-violent but Proactive-Vigilante Citizenry, actively engaging leadership through Letters, Press Conferences and Resorting to the Law Courts (Civil Lawsuits) on issues of public or citizenry interests. I know and confidently believe the Security Agencies, the Media and the Judiciary will never let Ghanaians down in this pursuit.

A CALL TO NATIONAL DUTY: ACTION WITH ONE VOICE

This epistle is calling on all well-meaning Ghanaians to respond to this virtuous call to national duty. Those who are into active politics should, for the love of this country, renounce their political alienation and come together. The notable and the identified Ghanaians and groups who readily come to mind are Former President J. J. Rawlings, Former President John Agyekum Kufour, Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings, Dr. Martin A. B. K. Amidu, Anas Arimeeyaw Anas, Prof. Frimpong Boateng, Dr. Arthur Kennedy, Manasseh Azure Awuni, Dauda Eric, Immanuel Ferkah, Nhyiraba Frankwise, Yusif Sulemana and Obeng Daniel, All Religious Groups, Owners/CEOs of Private Businesses, Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), Coalition of Concerned Teachers (CCT), Citizen Ghana Movement, Occupy Ghana, General Agricultural Workers' Union (GAWU), Ghana Mine Workers' Union (GMWU), Public Services Workers' Union (PSWU), Maritime and Dock-workers' Union (MDU), Construction and Building Workers' Union (CBWU), Timber and Wood-workers' Union (TWU), Railway Workers' Union (RWU), Public Utility Workers' Union (PUWU), General Transport, Petroleum and Chemical Workers' Union (GTPCWU), Teachers and Educational Workers' Union (TEWU), Railway Engine-men's Union (REU), Communications Workers' Union (CWU), Local Government Workers' Union (LGWU), National Union of Seamen (NUS), Health Services Workers' Union (HSWU), Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU), Union of Industry, Commerce & Finance Workers' (UNICOF), Federation of Universities Senior Staff Association of Ghana (FUSSAG), Industrial & Commercial Workers Union (ICU), Citizens Movement against Corruption (CMaC), etc.

My message to all of us is, the latest richest man in China, Mr. Jack Ma (Founder and Chairman of Alibaba Group) was asked “What is your secret for success?” and he answered “Really Simple …I am doing ACTION whiles you are watching”. I sincerely believe no leadership under this sun would deliver to us good governance on a silver platter; we have to engage leadership by taking ACTION, what we have done so far in Ghana is only TALK. And leadership would only accept to engage with us if and only if we remain as apolitical as possible. Let all rally under one giant union possibly “Chamber of Right Leadership (CORL)”, chat a NEW PATH, together with the Security Agencies, the Media and the Judiciary, we can make Ghana a near paradise.

Let me end this epistle with some quotes from Albert Einstein: “Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow but the important thing is NOT to STOP QUESTIONING” and “We cannot be doing the same thing over and over again and expect different results”. Finally let us together demonstrate that Ghana isn’t an orphan nation but have owners who are the majority of the citizenry, if not this country risk to be continuously run just as other public and state owned corporations have been ran and run down. Let us also note that, any wrong decision leadership made has always affected us negatively. If we are able to conscientise all kinds of leadership in this country to accept that we are united against bad leadership, they will definitely do things right; all in the hope that, we would get a different mindset and different style of leadership, moving on after the 2016 General Election.

Thank you for your time and attention.
Mutala Mohammed, Lecturer at Synergies Institute. Best Teacher, ICT (2013), Greater Accra Region. (The Writer is an Educationist, Writer, Computer Forensic & Security Expert, a Public Interest Ghanaian)

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