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The Hope For The Hopeless Star - Ghanaians Will Soon Build Nana Akufo-Addo's Statue

By Nana Ofori Kissi Ratina
Opinion President Nana Akufo-Addo
FEB 23, 2017 LISTEN
President Nana Akufo-Addo

"A Blackman is capable of managing its own affairs"- Dr. Kwame Nkrumah

Ghana, the brightest Star of Mama Africa in the pre-colonial and early post colonial period, deviated from its developmental track to the track of No One Cares.

The undulating nature of the political land of mother Ghana after independence was attained, was characterized by kleptocrats (corrupt officials). The corrupt practices superseded the good political will.

Ghana has Malaysia as it's twin sibling - both attained independence in 1957. Even as in the same year, Ghana is deemed the elderly sibling because Ghana gained its independence on 6th March 1957 while Malaysia gained it's independence on 31st August 1957.

Today, the development gap between Ghana and Malaysia is so huge that academicians keep asking how and why? However, at the economic arena, developers are not surprised of the development gap between the two countries.

As at 2013, sources including the World Bank was that, Malaysia was having a GDP of US$313.2 Billion, GDP per capita of US$10,538.06, a population of 29.72 million and a Life Expectancy of 74.84years. Ghana on the other hand (2013) as showed by sources including the World Bank, had a GDP of US$48.14 Billion, GDP per capita US$1,858.24, a population of 25.9 million and a life expectancy of 60.95 years. In terms of natural resource endowments, Malaysia is nowhere near Ghana. Malaysia boasts itself with agriculture while Ghana prides itself with agriculture (fertile soil), gold, diamond, bauxite, manganese, timber, oil and among others. This brings the question; Why has Ghana been left behind?

Many writers and scholars have linked Ghana's inability to quicken itself on the developmental track to the series of coup d'etat that characterized the nation's politics in the aftermath of independence

(1966-1981). This explanation to Ghana's underdevelopment is academically and economically deficient.

South Africa, though it is on records that it gained independence on 11th December 1910, it was not until 1994 that it was given absolute freedom to govern itself. South Africa through the Apartheid System, faced severe social and economic challenges which Ghana's series of coup d'etat can't match.

Low level of political consciousness, high rate of corruption and lack of clear vision are the bedrock of Ghana's developmental backwardness. For instance, it is in the archives that Mr. Krobo Edusei - a political stalwart in the Nkrumah's government imported a golden bed which cost £3,000 at that time. The cost of the golden bed was several times higher than his annual salary.

The debt stock of mother Ghana looks very frightening. The immediate past Mills-Mahama NDC government took over an accumulated debt of Gh¢9.5 billion in 2009 and within eight (8) years, the national debt stock has been positioned at Gh¢122 billion - that's, more than 12 times of the national debt in 2009.

This gargantuan increment in Ghana's debt within eight (8) years is a shock to economists, and developers are wondering the kind of development the NDC brought to Ghana which amounted to this increment in national debt.

To the surprise of Ghanaians, projects cost are either doubled, tripled or quadrupled by the NDC government especially under the last four (4) years of John Mahama. For instance, a school block which cost MTN Gh¢100,000 from scratch to finish, on the same size and design, the NDC government spent Gh¢300,000 building it (same year).

The massive youth unemployment and the general economic hardship coupled with low standard of living forced many Ghanaian youth traveling across the globe. Within the last four years of NDC reign, many Ghanaian youth have traveled outside the country to seek greener pastures. Many are found in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Dubai and Qatar. If Ghana had been managed properly, Ghanaian youth wouldn't have traveled to those countries for greener pasture. These countries have no respect for humanity - especially foreigners and their culture and religion.

UAE had its independence on 2nd December 1971. Qatar had its independence on 3rd September 1971. Why should children of a sixty year old country be depending on youthful nations for survival?

The era of new Hope has just began. Nana Akufo-Addo's eagerness to fight corruption, the revamping of pro-poor policies, the restoration of trainees allowance which was cancelled by Mahama's government, the commencement of Free SHS (September), One Village One Dam policy (to revamp and boost agriculture), the One District One Factory policy to move the Ghanaian economy from the over a century agrarian economy to a value added economy, thereby boosting revenue and creating jobs for the outnumbering youth unemployed, his determination to instill fiscal discipline and ensure proper value for money, his determination to empower the private sector through scrapping off some needless taxes and reduction of some taxes are all geared toward Hope restoration. Many Ghanaians - especially those who believe in the capitalist orientation of job creation are very optimistic about the future of Ghana.

Although, the doubting Thomases are of their usual views "he can't do it, it is not possible, we shall see" and other pessimistic positions. However, Nana Akufo-Addo's assurances to Ghanaians in his first State Of Nations Address have raised the morale of Ghanaians especially the majority who voted for change.

Majority of Ghanaians are prepared to help H. E. Nana Akufo-Addo to bring paradise down for Ghanaians to enjoy.

Ghana is naturally endowed with numerous resources which need an incorruptible leader with a clear vision to manage it efficiently for the betterment of all Ghanaians. The awarding of dubious contracts for kickbacks and the familiarization of governance (family and friends appointments) have drained the nation of its precious time and resources.

"Ghana is fortunate to have Nana Akufo-Addo as President" - Former President Rawlings (founder of NDC). Nana Akufo-Addo is an incorruptible leader who is determined to fight corruption and will ensure that the national cake is shared in the better interest of all Ghanaians.

It is therefore up to us to play our role as citizens rather than spectators. Let's take Ghana as our private property and give it much protection and defense. Let's protect the public purse as well as the environment where our riches are found.

Let's get involved to build our motherland.
God bless our homeland Ghana.
Nana Ofori Kissi Ratina
Anti-Corruption Crusader.

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