Agenda 2063: Ghana 60 Years On

Ghana and Africa has come a very way in the building of a stable country. With Ghana as a case study,we started from independence,the emancipation of freedom led by Dr. Kwame Nkrumah who had the vision of united Africa. A Pan-africanist by all standards. Helping other African countries gain independence was his cry after the attainment of independence by his own. A solid quotation from his speech after Ghana gained independence somewhat underlined the emphasis of a united Africa. He said ”Ghana,our beloved country is free forever...Our independence is meaningless until it is linked with the total liberation of Africa”. That was a man with a Pan-African dream. A Ghana beyond its own diaspora. A Ghana with a network with its own African countries. Though this vision curtailed by a coup,we as Africans champion the course of a united Africa together Africa. An Africa with socio-economic freedom,respect for our heritage and Africa that can compete.

Although this vision curtailed by many nepotic leaders,coups and extremely selfish leaders,nonetheless,the agenda for a better Africa is not thrown away. Thus,the push for Agenda 2063 which is a strategic framework for the socio-economic transformation of the continent over the next 50 years. Its builds on, and seeks to accelerate the implementation of past and existing continental initiatives for growth and sustainable development. Though our strides towards this vision somewhat has been slow,it is still not dead. There may have been challenges but the vision still stands and collectively we stand a fight for a better Ghana agenda. “A Ghana beyond aid” as quoted by the President of Ghana. A stable country and a buoyant continent.

Ghana has come a long way in the attainment of freedom. In talking about independence of Ghana,then Gold Coast,we can talk about the United Gold Coast Convention,Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and the big six which constitutes J.B Danquah,Akuffo-Addo,Ako Adjie,Obetsebi Lamptey,Ofori-Atta and Kwame Nkrumah himself. All loyal patriots of Ghana in the fight for independence. But after independence,and Kwame Nkrumah becoming first prime minister and then president,there came a coup to overthrow a legitimate government. And many others followed which curtailed the socio-economic growth of Ghana. With Ghana now in its 4th government or constitutional rule,there has been challenges. Economic hardship,unstable power supply,unattainable policies which I call “manifesto brouhaha”. All shaping the course which meandered the growth of Ghana and Africa to an extent.

Africa has a dream. Thus,the need for the Agenda 2063. The African Aspirations for 2063

The seven African Aspirations were derived through a consultative process with the African Citizenry. These are:

• A Prosperous Africa, based on inclusive growth and sustainable development

• An integrated continent, politically united, based on the ideals of Pan Africanism and the vision of Africa’s Renaissance

• An Africa of good governance, democracy, respect for human rights, justice and the rule of law

• A Peaceful and Secure Africa

• Africa with a strong cultural identity, common heritage, values and ethics

• An Africa whose development is people driven, relying on the potential offered by people, especially its women and youth and caring for children

• An Africa as a strong, united, resilient and influential global player and partner.

With this in mind,and Ghana our case study,what or where as a country have got to in buying into this collective dream. The better Africa Agendum. An Africa beyond aids and grants and loans.

A Prosperous Africa, based on inclusive growth and sustainable development. A case study of Ghana. What is sustainable development?

The concept is admittedly an admission that development is much more than economic growth and that the pursuit of economic growth and expansion alone cannot sustain both the present and future generations. Has Ghana done anything in that line? Yes. Which is the attractive nature of our industries(largest contributor to the GDP),the agricultural sector(largest source of employment),environmental sustainability(the strides made by the Ghana Water Company). These are a few to highlight. So yes,we are making strides. Yes,there are challenges especially in the agricultural sector. But we are making strides.

An integrated continent, politically united, based on the ideals of Pan Africanism and the vision of Africa’s Renaissance. In Ghana there now a paperless port. No country along the West African sub-region travels to a neighbouring state with a passport. That is a united Africa. Also trade among the ECOWAS is liberal. No one stops anyone. So yes,we are making strides. With even a vision of a West African railway to interconnect West African countries. Averred the policy of how many days a West African citizen can stay in a neighbouring country which I know of Ghana. An ultimatum of 90days for our Nigerian brothers. But averred this,these individuals overstay.

An Africa of good governance, democracy, respect for human rights, justice and the rule of law. Ghana is mostly noted for peace. And this is as a result Ghana being the beacon of hope. Following or going by constitutional rule. With the parliament of Ghana not long ago celebrating 25years of democracy in the fourth republican government. Although there has been challenges,we have prevailed and so as other African countries.

A Peaceful and Secure Africa. Ghana as said earlier is noted as the most peaceful country or one of the most peaceful not only in Africa but the world at large. Thus becoming a yardstick for other African countries to emulate this sturdy stride made by governments before and current.

Africa with a strong cultural identity, common heritage, values and ethics. One of the things that characterizes Africa is our culture. The rich colours that never fades. Although our colonial masters westernized us and Christianized us,we still have our African belief system still in touch.

An Africa whose development is people driven, relying on the potential offered by people, especially its women and youth and caring for children. Although there are many schools of thoughts in development. An Africa today with the people not the vision holders and runners is an Africa ready for doom. We have to be the callers of change. We are the people,we know what we want. Although modernization theory talking about Europe and America as a yardstick,I ask myself,should these writers who classified these European countries and America to be yardstick,should they have been Chinese,would they be of this believe? Development is of the people,by the people and for the people. Where our political leaders can not enrich themselves at the expense of the citizenry. Where women and the youth champion the course of development in our communities.

An Africa as a strong, united, resilient and influential global player and partner. Here,we look at an Africa with stable collective economy and can compete in the world market. An Africa where our leaders won't have to succumb or won't be twitched when talking about development or economic progress.

In view of this we are looking at an African beyond aids and grants and loans. An Africa where we know what we want and build it. An Africa where we won't lose our identity because of external factors. We can not achieve this with mediocrity and nepotism. We can make this sturdy strive with leaders who do not think about themselves and their families but rather everyone. What is Agenda 2063 if collectively as Africans we can not fight the good fight of kicking out corruption? Let us fight for the attainment of socio-economic freedom. Let's shout freedom as Ghanaians did when we gained independence. Ghana 60 years on in the vision of this collective goal is sturdy strive. But we can achieve it.

WILL AGENDA 2063 WORK?

A policy can only work when the people involved are well informed as to what AGENDA 2063 is all about. The best way to critically propagate this is to heavily involve the media.

Osei Bernard Esar.

(A re-revolutionist).

Level 100D.

pbwhaison@gmail.com