Military Regimes Retard Development

MR KWAME Pianim, an Economic Consultant and Chairman of the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) has blamed the current state of the nation's development on military regimes.

Military interventions, he observed, had derailed the country from its path to glory, contending that the country would have been better off today but for the numerous military interferences.

“But for the rampant coup d'états, Ghana will by now be rubbing shoulders with some of the well endowed countries in the world. The military regimes were bad, they caused our woes.”

Mr. Pianim who was speaking at the 50th edition of the Pearson-Osae Appreciation Lectures in Kumasi recently urged Ghanaians irrespective of their political, religious or ethnic background to unite and play vital roles to protect the 1992 Constitution.

He cited the current democratic dispensation as the best for the country and urged the various political parties to be tolerant towards one another so as to protect the peaceful atmosphere in the country.

Mr. Pianim cautioned Ghanaians, especially politicians to be wary and help prevent the country from revisiting the military era.

He admonished that “no matter how angry we are with ourselves we should never allow the military to be at the helm of affairs of this country again, because it is not the best option for the country”.

Organised by the Prempeh College Old Students' Association, the programme was under the theme “Appreciating the Positive Contributions of Our Members of Staff Whilst They Are Alive”.

Speaking on the topic “Ghana As I See It In The Next Fifty Years”, Mr. Pianim who expressed satisfaction about the country's modest gains in recent years warned the citizenry to shun complacency.

According to him, complacency led to the squandering of the huge sums of money that the British left for the nation, noting that Ghanaians needed to work assiduously to sustain the country's current path to glory.

Mr. Pianim as well called for the obliteration of the geographical northern Muslim and southern Christian sects existing in the country, saying the development disallows growth.

“We should shun divisions in all our endeavours if we really want to properly develop and move the country forward,” he said.
He called for a united front in deciding the destiny of the country, indicating that the citizenry had vital roles to play to ensure a prosperous Ghana.

On his vision for the country for the next 50 years, Mr. Pianim said he foresees a Ghana with a vibrant economy, free from corruption, where 65 per cent of the population would be university or polytechnic graduates.

He predicted a country where access to justice would be easy for every citizen irrespective of religious, ethnic, social or political background.

The annual Pearson-Osae Appreciation Lectures, instituted in 1998 is aimed to honour Rev. S.N Pearson and Mr. T.A Osae, the first Headmaster of the college, for their pioneering roles in the establishment of the college.

It was also aimed at honouring members of staff - both teaching and non-teaching - while they are alive.

In his remarks, Very Rev. Prof. Emmanuel Asante, Head of the Department of Religion, KNUST, Kumasi, called on Ghanaians to unite with a common voice to fight corruption since it was impacting negatively on the country.

“No amount of policies by the government can stop corruption. Corruption can only be stopped if the people begin to say no to it,” he pointed out.

Rev. Asante attributed the gap between the rich and the poor to corruption, which he said was on the ascendancy, noting “corruption is on the increase because Ghanaians tolerate it”.

He as well deplored the lack of accessibility to justice by the ordinary Ghanaian and called for improvement in the justice system of the country so everyone can have access to justice.

From Fred J.A Ibrahim Jnr., Kumasi