Success of the Resetting Agenda Depends on Attitudinal Change - Say it as It is - Part 3

Role of the President
The role of the President with constitutional tools is to see to the successful execution of the Resetting Agenda. So, first of all, let me say that our Dear President Mahama’s excellent honesty or high integrity talks and acts, depending on where you stand, you may see them as good or bad attitudes. Hmm, Did I hear him right about his recent comments on illegal/irresponsible miners changing their colors like Chameleons with a change in Regimes?

If yes, he needs to adopt the best approach that will motivate attitudinal change due to the real existential threat posed by Small Scale Miners due to their ways of operations, which among other characteristics are nomadic and irrational, thus making their operations to be both predominantly irresponsible and illegal.

So, his honesty about the state of Irresponsible/ illegal mining may ‘’kill’ his good name as the President of Ghana and the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ghana and not as a person, if decisive action is not executed to change the narrative.

It is a fact that Small Scale Mining has come to stay. Hence, there is the need for a win-win policy of ‘Live and Let Us Live’ since the operations of Small Scale Miners are both Illegal and irresponsible. Illegal because of the breaches of the mining laws and environmental laws, by not complying with local and international standards as done by Member Companies of the Ghana Chamber of Mines. So need to control the associated risks to the barest minimum.

It is also a fact that operations of Small Scale Miners are mainly irresponsible mining activities due to out of greed, they do not have care for the environment, no care for the interest/safety/health of the affected associated Communities. Hence, there is the need for a win-win policy of ‘Live and Let Us Live’ to control the associated risks to the barest minimum.

It is very important to do so, since the resultant effect of their activities, have made the nation to be faced with existential threat due to the destruction of water, air, food which are the three essential of life. As well as causing the related health and safety problems, especially effects on placenta thus causing deformity in babies and their activities are contributing to the issue of kidney problems, also is the problem of unsafe mining pits causing human casualties in the mining areas.

So, to protect the environment, to protect the Cocoa Industry or affected communities from greedy irresponsible/illegal Small Scale Miners, this intelligence from our Dear President and the story by JoyNews on galamasey tax by some District Assembles, in this era of Resetting Agenda which saw attacks of personnel of NAIMOS, Head of EPA etc are enough for the very good people of Ghana to see the wisdom of the Catholic Bishops for our Dear President to invoke the Mindset Revolution tool as provided at Clause 9 of Article 31 of the 1992 Constitution.

That is the President should declare of a State of Emergency with a ban on small scale mining at the affected areas, channel the youth to Alternative Livelihood Projects, including reforestation/ planting economic trees and ensure to register for the earning of carbon credits, hence, would afford additional source of income to them and dollars for Bank of Ghana.

So, Our Dear President JD Mahama, a man of high Integrity/a Statesman par excellence, hence, the best person, so these attributes among others, made his nomination by God in 2024, as the President of Ghana and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ghana. This is so, since it is God who nominates a Leader. So, as said and echoed by the Catholic Bishops of Ghana, who are the true Reps of God or Voice of God in Ghana, that he should act as provided by the Constitution to motivate massive Attitudinal Change . So President JD Mahama should act to please the Catholic Bishops of Ghana, the Reps of God.

By this recommended action, it will motivate a chain of attitudinal changes including forcing the Chinese Ambassador to evacuate all Chinese and their equipment from the field, same actions will be done by the other financiers. It will also put the fear of God in the affected people of a Community for them to say never again will they sit down aloof to allow the destructions of their environments and farms. It will support the Farmers especially Cocoa Farmers to continue with their farming activities.

Dormaahene’s good role for Attitudinal Change

Talking about Honesty especially, the very honesty of our President and the need for Attitudinal Change by all citizens to consider Ghana First at all times, it is very important to speak about two candid points by the Dormaahene. First one. He was upright with his talks against the I GP for the Parade of the Royal Police Ladies at Manhyia Palace on 01 February 2026. Google and read ‘IGP and Police Royal Ladies at Manhyia during Akwasidae celebration’.

In the era of Probity, Transparency and Accountability, cost saving, and Regional Balance norm in the Constitution, the IGP needs to tell the citizens why this was done? At what cost to the Nation or the Police Internal Generating Fund? And above all, why all the ladies were granted promotion at the same time? And does the promotion goes with pay rise?, of course Yes, if so, at whose cost, considering the very huge wage bill as told by all Ministers of Finance ?, certainly the tax payer?. Also thus the situation making them to be promoted above their seniors or mates who did not take part in the parade?.

The IGP is doing a good job, but this wholesale promotion action by him for a mere ceremonial parade must be relooked by Parliament, as a measure to prevent future similar actions by him or by a subsequent IGP, since this kind of ceremonial parade should not be equivalent to the operational success in core policing functions. So prioritizing ceremonial duties linked to a specific traditional authorities is unacceptable as observed.

The second one, was when in last week, the vociferous (enthusiastic, determined etc) Dormaahene cleverly told our Dear President Mahama that the previous Regime of President Nana Addo, built a modern Market at Dormaa, so he should complete stalled projects and thus he requested for the completion of an Agenda 111 Hospital in Dormaa.

The very good citizens of Ghana need to salute the Dormaahene, So on their behalf, I salute the great Dormaahene, since by all standards the stalled Hospital if completed besides providing healthcare, jobs for medical personnel especially, bring about a reduction of the number of nurses without a job and yet the numerous nursing schools are producing more nurses into the system, what a tragedy?. A market is a place (physical or virtual) through which buyers and sellers interact to exchange goods, so restaurants, grocery shops, medical labs, drugs stores or a pharmacy established by private persons around a hospital is a market. In this era of IT Revolution, the idea of brick and mortar facility in certain areas need to be reduced.

So, Dormaahene’s request is a better strategy for public good beside as a Healthcare facility, the hospital and associated markets will make it a very good 24hour economy environment in Dormaa, not the wrong second Market at Dormaa by the Central Government, in the name of 24hour economy Market. Hmm to sell what item, by whom and to how many people at the risky dark hours of the night?.

The role of the District Assemblies in the provision of Market facilities for their people for a shared interest as income and job generating ventures and for a good health reasons cannot be overemphasized. District Assemblies may not be able to build a Hospital but the Assembles and individual business men and women can built Markets as was done by COP Kofi Boakye at Patasi, and Central Station or Regional Police HQ when as the Ashanti Regional Police Commander. Likewise the good works by the late Acheamfour, my neighbor at Agric Junction Kumasi, with his Acheamfour Markets in Kumasi.

Our President is a very listening President, so, I am sure he took mental note of the Statement of the great Dormaahene, which denoted the need for stakeholder engagements for the participants to tell their issues especially their pressing needs before undertaking a project.

Self-sufficient in Tomatoes Production

Speaking of Mindset Revolution, thanks to God and Government of Burkina Faso for the banning on the exportation of fresh tomatoes from Burkina Faso by the Government of Burkina Faso, The ban should be see good omen for the Resetting Agenda, which is not the usual political slogan but a tool for a shift in attitude, mindset for collective effort and for moral foundation to ensure true progress. So, it is a Revolutionary tool for shift of both Attitude and Mindset for changing the narrative to ensure more seriousness in this Country.

The economies of Ghana is developing one, so we need to see growth in the Agric Sector or Agribusiness as the critical engine for massive economic development, creation of massive jobs including its value chain, for food security and inclusive growth. Ghana has the men and the resources to produce most of the food items including tomatoes. All that is required is good leadership to see Ghana transition from subsistence farming to commercialized, technology driven Agriculture. This includes investing in research, irrigation, greenhouse technology, and improving access to markets.

Crisis sometimes motivates a Revolution, hence causes attitudinal change. COVID 19 Pandemic brought a great change in the World, including IT Revolution especially Zoom Conferences or Meetings. So, instead of congregating at one place of brick and mortar facility with the associated costly and risky travels, so, COVID 19 brought about a new normal. This Attitudinal change will elicit great monetary savings besides reduction of security and safety risks.

So, please do not get it wrong, we should see the ban on of the exportation of fresh tomatoes from Burkina Faso by the Government of Burkina Faso as a blessing for us to be very serious like Gen Acheampong with his Operation Feed Yourself and Feed Your Industry and act accordingly.

Ghana’s problem is very bad leadership since 1981. Note of the saying that too much of everything is bad. So it is not a surprise that Ghana cannot produce enough tomatoes for domestic consumption and export.

This is so because Ghana has too many Universities even turned Nkrumah’s polytechnics into universities, there are too many Research Institutions, too many Professors, too many PHD Holders, including too many fake ones causing serious headache to Professor Junapor and his GETEC. This craziness for “doctorate” created a lucrative venture which motivated too many fake institutions and one Dr UN for awarding fake doctorate. Cry the Beloved Country.

Hmm, Ghana has added to its profile too many law schools to produce too many lawyers. Ghana has too many banks including Agric Bank, yet the Agric Sector is not supported with cheap credit facilities too many CSOs, and too many Churches with too many Pastors/Prophets always keeping members in Churches for too many hours and have even added all night services, with no market nearby during the period, hmm a threat to the 24hour economy concept.

Ghana has added to its profile a GoldBod, which is raising enough money but motivating the destruction of the environment through collaborating with Small Scale Miners in the mining sector, notwithstanding the good call by Dr Tony Aubynn for a review of the Laws on Small Scale Mining (Google and Read ‘Review Laws in Small Scale Mining by Dr Tony Aubynn’. The call includes addition of Medium Scale Mining Sector for tycoons and their Chinese Associates, since mining is capital intensive. Also the relegation or restriction of Small Scale Mining to method of mining with no use of sophisticated technology, no use of substantial money and for interested Communities as stipulated in the Small Scale Mining law 1989 ( PNDC Law 218).

Ghana is also adding to her profile a crazy idea of creating more than 10 months import cover instead of ensuring massive Transformation and Modernization of the Agric Sector and value addition industries to increase exports and domestic needs, this crazy idea tells the Ghanaian mentality of more import of tomatoes, rice, cow legs, cow heads, intestines, and fish, tooth picks etc.

The situation speaks volume of our Leaders not interested in seeing to Attitudinal Change for changing the economy fundamentals of Ghana through the transformation, modernization and diversification of the Agric Sector, as sounded by the Asantehene, the man of great wisdom. Google and read ‘Asantehene called for strategic diversification of the Economy Hmm where are the economists of Ghana’, what a tragedy in Nkrumah’s Ghana?

Hmm, the ban by the Burkina Faso has induced an ‘abegging’ Minister for Agribusiness thus exposed the Hypocrisy, Dishonesty and Incompetency of the Ghanaian that is all of us, especially our leaders of all Regimes. It should be noted that Ghana has not much to show in the Agric sector, despite the fact that since the 1983 bush fire/drought that caused famine, which the then Government of the Day, the PNDC, to cause for massive food production and this led to the setting up of the Best Farmers Day, for awarding Best Farmers, every year in attempt to sustain massive food production.

Unfortunately, as stated Ghana has not very much to show in the Agric sector, since the 1983 famine crisis, which should opened our eyes to see to take very good care of the environment and see the Agric Sector as a critical engine for economic development food security and inclusive growth, so the Best Farmer Day has become a Concert Party activity Day.

So after 42 years with the introduction of the Best Farmers Day, Ghana cannot produce enough food items especially tomatoes, so our Hon Minister of Trade, Industry and Agribusiness is on her knees begging the forward looking leaders of Burkina Faso to allow us to go to Burkina Faso for tomatoes.

This is very ridiculous, so what a shame?, instead of Ghana through the said Hon Minister implementing Import Substitution action to restrict importation of tomatoes, she is on her knees begging for importation of tomatoes. Interestingly, about six months ago, Tomatoes farmer in Ghana were crying for

Our very Hon Minister for ‘abegging’ for tomatoes import, sorry for Agribusiness, please note that Tomatoes depending on the variety and cultural practices take 60 to 90 days to grow from transplanting to harvest or 90 to 140 days with the seed. There are 365 days in a year, so growing tomatoes thrice in a year is possible.

A yield of tomatoes may be 20 to 40 tons per hectare in low open fields’ production, this means depending on the yield, and 45,000hetraes to 22,500 hectares of land is required to get 900,000 tons of tomatoes reckoned as national consumption. Ghana has more than 220,000 land under irrigation (both public and private facilities) and tomatoes can be cultivated at least thrice in year. So with very good management, Ghana can make it within one year.

It must be noted that the best method to achieve the desire results in a very short time is by Greenhouse production techniques, which will give over 200 to 600 tonnes per hectare with the high-tech hydroponic Greenhouses. So Ghana can produce more than enough tomatoes for domestic consumption and export in 12 months.

In 2014, Agri Impact Consult introduced the Greenhouse Technology for growing tomatoes and other crops in Vakpo in the Volta Region, thus in the first regime of President Mahama. But it was in the regime of President Nana Addo that saw the massive introduction of Greenhouse Technology in 2020. Google and read ‘A look at West Africa’s biggest Greenhouse Village in Ghana’. That is to say Ghana is capable of producing the correct or her needs of tomatoes from six months to one year for both domestic consumption and export.

So the claims by the Deputy Minister of Agric namely Hon Mr Doumulo that it may take four years to achieve the needed quantity has revealed our incompetency. I can say that it is possible with my experiences at ICOUR Tono, in my hometown in Navrongo and Vea Irrigation Dam, Ashaiman and Dawenhya, Kpong etc Irrigation infrastructures which are the legacies or very good works of General Acheampong, not talking of private irrigation systems, so Ghana can make it within 12 months with very good leadership.

So, my brother Dr Peter Boamah Otokunor with real or proper PHD, hmm not the type as detested by Professor Junapor of GETEC, should take note that Ghana can produce more than enough tomatoes in one year. So he should act and stop talking on the issue of the failed Pwalugu Multipurpose Dam as a reason for Ghana’s poor show.

The name Pwalugu Multipurpose Dam is even wrong, since the people of Pwalugu alleged that the failed construction work which was to be done near Krugu in the North East Region by the previous regime was therefore not near Pwalugu in the Upper East Region. Hence a change of location requires a change of name, studies etc. So for growing tomatoes, other food items, fishing, for rearing of animals , the people of Pwalugu need just a dam, which may not cost not more than between 2.7 to 4 million Ghana Cedis.

So let us change our mind and act now, it was sad that the apostles of One Village, One Dam failed to give them a dam. So, the Minister of Agric, my brother Dr Peter Boamah Otokunor and Hon Minister for Agribusiness should take note and jointly solicit for funds or support for an irrigation dam for Pwalugu, for tomatoes production and stop the lamentation.

Ghana’s problem, is the issue of no reasonable or profitable guaranteed floor rate or farm gate price or good marketing for tomatoes, lack of very good storage system for fresh tomatoes ad or issue of factories for value addition. At this juncture, let me say thanks to owner of Procus Ghana, the operator of factories for the KIVO products, set up in 2020 and others factories in the processing of tomatoes and other food items.

So, the key Apostles of the 24hour Economy should be advised to take note that Greenhouse Technology affords a very lucrative chances for 24hour Economy for more jobs and the need to also give support to Procus Ghana, manufacturer of Kivo products and others value addition food factories for helping to achieve food sufficiency in Ghana.

So, the action of the Burkina Faso’s Government is God Sent for Dear President Mahama to once again call for an emergency cabinet meeting because some of his appointees are not helping him, our President due to acting in silos. The Chief of Staff, should reflect matters on Agric especially tomatoes production and value addition in the upcoming Kwahu Business Forum in April 2026.

So like we need to be commending the Zambian who talked about the President’s smock when he was in Zambia and as such it rekindled the mantra on wear Ghana or traditional attire but unfortunately, it was opposite during the Celebration of the 69^th Independence Day at Jubilee, which saw the President, our First Lady, the Hon Chief of State in the Office of the President, the Chief Justice and few persons who appeared in traditional attire.

So, let us also thank the good people of Burkina Faso, since their action, will wake up Ghanaians from sleeping in the Nation’s Heritage Month of March, and wise up to ensure good leadership to support our Dear President Mahama, Channel One TV, CtiiFM etc . Let us support organizers of Ackuleh and organizers of other local food Festivals, including the Hon MP for Gomoa, Mr Aplus for their efforts to ensure we patronize Ghanaian goods, attire, culture, thus creating markets and jobs though the market may be seen to be short-lived, the good thing is that the event promotes some profitable networking which may be exploited to advance in life.

So it is important, we all come on deck of the Ship under the Captainship of Dear President Mahama for the Resetting Ghana Agenda, thus support the Apostles of 24hour Economy, a demand driven system, hence patronize Ghana through Eat Ghana, Feed Ghana, Drink Ghana, and Export Ghana and wear Ghana and showcase Ghana during festivals especially on Independence Day etc

Prime Minister Nkrumah in 1957 and the other members of the Big Six put on the local attire of a Smock and made the Independence Declaration, so it is Unfortunate that 69 years after that very memorable day in the History of Africa, the Smock is not seen as a great African attire.

Hmm, this may be due to poor leadership, which led to poor showcasing of the items of Ghana especially during Independence Day celebration as well as through the heritage month of March as being done by Channel One TV, CtiiFM etc. Due to our attitude and mindset, one would not be surprised that imported Rice and not Ghana’s rice formed part of the meal organized for guests by State Protocol in every year of the celebration.

Let us thank the Governor of Bank of Ghana and four others of the governing Board of Bank of Ghana for wearing traditional attire during the last Meeting of the Board in the heritage month, as being promoted by Channel One TV/ CITIFM.

So, the “abegging” Minister for Trade, Industry and Agribusiness must not shame Ghanaians with her begging mode. All that is needed is work with the Hon Minister of Agric, my brother Dr Peter Boamah Otokunor, PHD, for them to come out with a strategy for massive production of tomatoes.

This should be done through the provision of good seeds like Roma, Kwabena Kwabena variety of tomatoes, scaling up the Greenhouse Tech, ensure efficient irrigation water management, use of organic fertilizer as well good market through a good guaranteed Floor price to motivate Ghanaians to go into Massive tomatoes productions, embrace the 1DIF concept with a better direction and virtually ban importation of tomatoes into Ghana.

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