At the dawn of independence, Ghana’s anthem echoed a fervent plea: “God bless our homeland Ghana and make our nation great and strong.” Yet, despite the divine endowment of fertile lands and natural riches, a blessing from God, Ghana finds itself ensnared in the grips of underdevelopment even at 67 years old.
On their attainment of political independence from colonial rule in 1957, Ghana and Malaysia embarked on their respective, post-colonial pursuits of freedom and progress with optimism and with great potential. Both blessed with abundant resources and resilient populations, Ghana and Malaysia stood on equal footing in terms of levels of economic development, with Ghana even slightly ahead in per capita income. But as time went on, their paths sharply diverged, telling a tale of lost possibilities and unrealized potential. The tale of Ghana and Malaysia, once akin to that of identical twins, has morphed into a stark juxtaposition of fortunes. While Malaysia soared to dizzying heights of economic prowess, Ghana languished in the shadows of its unrealized promise.
The contrast is not merely statistical; it is a testament to the choices and decisions made along each nation’s developmental journey. If we were to juxtapose life in Ghana with that in Malaysia, the discrepancies would be staggering. From electricity consumption to life expectancy, income levels to unemployment rates, the advantages enjoyed by Malaysians far outweigh those of Ghanaians.
This glaring reality begs the question: Where did we go wrong? Despite God’s blessings upon our homeland, why have we faltered in our quest for greatness? The answer lies not in divine intervention but in our own actions or lack thereof. As we grapple with this stark contrast, it becomes imperative to confront the uncomfortable truth: Ghana’s journey of underdevelopment is not merely a consequence of external forces or historical legacies but also a reflection of our collective failures. Despite the divine blessings bestowed upon our homeland, we have faltered in harnessing our resources, nurturing our potential, and charting a path towards greatness.
This article delves into the multifaceted factors that contributed to Ghana’s underdevelopment, from governance failures and economic mismanagement to societal challenges and systemic inequalities. It challenges readers to reflect on their role in shaping Ghana’s destiny and calls for a collective effort to reclaim the blessings of our homeland.
Ghana’s Turbulent Political Landscape: The Impact of Coups on the Nation’s Development.
Ghana, a nation rich in potential and promise, has navigated through turbulent political waters since gaining independence from British colonial rule in 1957. In the span of just over two decades (1966-1981), the country witnessed nearly nine different governments, with over half of them resulting from military takeovers. This period of political instability, lasting until the start of the Fourth Republic, has had profound implications for Ghana’s development trajectory.
From 1966 to the early 1980s, Ghana experienced a series of coups, each contributing to a climate of uncertainty and disruption. These upheavals not only altered the country’s governing structure but also had far-reaching effects on various aspects of development.
One of the most significant consequences of these coups was the disruption of long-term planning and policy implementation. With frequent changes in government leadership, continuity in development strategies became elusive. This inconsistency hampered progress in critical sectors such as the development of infrastructure, education and healthcare. For instance, the suspension of democratic institutions after military coups, led to setbacks in negotiations with international bodies like the International Monetary Fund (IMF), impacting negatively on crucial economic decisions and hindering development initiatives.
The suspension of democratic institutions and erosion of civil liberties under military rule stifled citizens’ participation in governance and suppressed dissent. Human rights abuses and political repression became rampant, fostering an environment of fear and uncertainty that impeded socioeconomic advancement.
Economically, the coups had detrimental effects, deterring foreign investment and undermining investor confidence. Economic instability resulting from these events exacerbated poverty and inequality, perpetuating cycles of underdevelopment.
Meanwhile, military-led governments which seized political power from democratically-elected governments lacked the expertise and legitimacy needed to effectively manage complex development challenges. This governance deficit often led to mismanagement of resources, corruption, and inefficiency, further impeding development efforts.
Ethnic Politics in Ghana: A Barrier to National Progress
Since the pre-colonial era, politics in Ghana has been deeply intertwined with tribal and at times, religious affiliations. This trend continued into the post-independence period, shaping the landscape of political parties and governance structures. In the 1951 Gold Coast legislative elections, political parties emerged along tribal lines, reflecting the diverse ethnic makeup of the region. However, the Avoidance of Discrimination Act of 1957 led to the merger of these parties into the United Party (UP) to avoid discrimination based on racial, ethnic or religious grounds.
Despite this merger, ethnic divisions persisted, particularly between the Akans and supporters of the Progress Party on the one hand and the Ewes of Ghana’s Volta Region on the other, who largely opposed them. This division continued into the Fourth Republic, with the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) dominating the political scene.
Constitutional provisions aimed at curbing extreme, ethnic politics have had limited success, as ethnic affiliations continue to shape political allegiances. The strongholds of the NPP lie in particular administrative regions of the country, while the NDC garners support primarily from other regions, leading to a polarized political landscape.
This polarization stifles neutral voices in Ghanaian politics, as any dissent is often viewed through partisan lenses. The pervasive influence of ethnic politics has exacerbated social divisions, undermined governance effectiveness, and hindered national cohesion.
Political party organization and affiliation based on ethnicity, has fostered distrust and competition among different ethnic groups, impeding collaboration for national development. Patronage politics, where politicians prioritize the interests of their ethnic constituencies, has led to skewed resource allocation and neglect of socio-economically marginalized regions.
The dominance of ethnic-based political parties in Ghana has hindered the emergence of merit-based leadership and policy formulation, perpetuating mediocrity and inefficiency in governance. Overall, the entrenchment of ethnic politics in Ghanaian society has impeded progress towards sustainable development by eroding trust in institutions, fragmenting society and diverting attention from pressing developmental challenges.
Corruption
The issue of corruption in Ghana is deeply rooted and has persisted across different political eras, from the early days of independence to the present. Military interventions, often justified as efforts to combat corruption, have instead perpetuated cycles of political instability and economic mismanagement. However, corruption transcends political boundaries, affecting both democratic and authoritarian regimes alike.
One significant aspect of corruption in Ghana is its impact on interethnic relations. The manipulation of tribal affiliations for political gain has led to deep-seated divisions and further fueled corruption. This phenomenon, commonly referred to as “family and friends governance,” perpetuates a system of nepotism and patronage that undermines meritocracy and fairness in governance.
Furthermore, the public sector in Ghana bears a heavy burden due to political corruption and poor management practices. The mismanagement of public resources, as evidenced by the collapse of the public transport network in Accra, highlights the dire consequences of corruption on essential services and infrastructure.
Despite efforts to address corruption, including the establishment of democratic institutions and anti-corruption agencies, the problem persists. Successive administrations have been plagued by corruption scandals, eroding public trust and confidence in the ability of governments to effectively combat corruption.’
The economic and social ramifications of corruption are profound, with Ghana losing billions of dollars annually to corrupt practices. Recent audits have revealed alarming levels of financial irregularities and mismanagement within government entities, underscoring the urgent need for decisive action. This financial drain hampers development efforts, exacerbates poverty and undermines efforts to improve the lives of citizens.
Ghana’s Unfinished Business: The Cost of Project Abandonment
In the bustling corridors of Ghana’s political landscape, a troubling pattern of unfinished projects casts a long shadow over the nation’s aspirations for development. From the era of Nkrumah’s CPP to the current Fourth Republic, public projects abandoned by successive governments of different political parties abound. The result today, is a long list of uncompleted national and community infrastructure and other development projects left to decay after expenditure of national financial resources on the projects. Citizens are usually then left wondering whatever happened to the campaign promises made to them by political parties.
In a country brimming with natural riches and teeming with potential, the plight of the poor taxpayer is in sharp contrast to the nation’s abundant natural wealth. The usual official rhetoric about the national progress being made and the government’s purported achievements keeps echoing through the halls of political power but the reality on the ground is a different story altogether—one of partisan interests trumping the common good.
The dance of political transitions between the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has often sounded the death knell for critical infrastructure projects still under construction. As power changes hands, projects initiated by one administration are easily abandoned or neglected by the incoming government, perpetuating a cycle of underdevelopment and stagnation.
A good example is the sorry state of Ghana’s healthcare system: Abandoned hospital projects dot the landscape like monuments to political short-sightedness. A damning report by Citi FM in August 2018 uncovered as many as 21 abandoned hospital projects across the country—a testament to the toll of political transitions on the adequacy of the country’s public health infrastructure.
But the issue does not stop at healthcare. From road contracts left in limbo to housing developments mired in uncertainty, the specter of project abandonment looms large over Ghana’s development agenda. The Saglemi housing project which was initiated by one political administration and abandoned by the next, stands as a poignant reminder of the human cost of political gamesmanship.
Behind the scenes, the financial toll of these abandoned projects is staggering. According to the Ghana Auditor General Report, abandoned and unused projects in dozens of Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies cost the state over GH¢ 30 million in 2017 alone—a hefty price tag for the nation’s coffers to bear. Contract irregularities further exacerbate the problem, leading to significant financial losses and a waste of resources that could have been invested in Ghana’s infrastructure and public services.
As Ghana grapples with the fallout of project abandonment, the need for accountability and transparency in governance has never been more pressing.
The Battle for Truth: Unveiling Ghana’s Propaganda Wars
At the heart of Ghana’s Fourth Republic lies a battleground obscured from the public eye—a realm where truth and fiction collide, and the lines between fact and fabrication are blurred. This is the domain of propaganda, a shadowy force that wields immense power in shaping the nation’s destiny.
At the epicenter of this war lies the media—a realm once revered as the guardian of truth and widely known as the fourth pillar of democracy but now tainted by the poison of partisan politics. The state-owned and private media alike, are accused of breaching their professionally sacred duty by abandoning professional neutrality in favour of sensationalism and bias. In this broken terrain, truth becomes a casualty, and the seeds of conflict germinate, sowing division where unity should prevail. However, the pernicious roots of misinformation reach far beyond newsrooms and editorial desks. Ethnic politics, that age-old specter haunting Ghana’s corridors of power, casts its long shadow over the nation’s collective psyche. Like puppeteers pulling invisible strings, political parties manipulate ethnic identities to sway the masses, fanning the flames of division and distrust.
In this contest of smoke and mirrors, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) are giants embroiled in an unending war for supremacy. With each passing day, the rhetoric heats up and the charges become more vitriolic, as propaganda becomes their preferred weapon. Falsehoods masquerade as reality, character assassinations pass for political debate and history itself becomes a battleground, rewritten to suit the desires of those in power. In this topsy-turvy world, trust becomes a scarce commodity and faith in the democratic process dwindles as the threat of propaganda looms.
Attitude Matters: Unveiling Ghana’s Challenges and Paths to Progress
Ghana, often hailed as the “Gateway to Africa,” has long been seen as a beacon of hope on the continent. Yet, amidst its potential for greatness, there exists a shadow cast by the actions of its own people, dimming the promise of prosperity and progress.
One glaring issue that has plagued Ghana is its poor maintenance culture. From crumbling infrastructure to neglected public spaces, the signs of decay are evident across the landscape. Thousands of kilometers of roads in the country lie in disrepair, while public buildings stand as monuments to neglect. The lack of investment in maintenance reflects a broader attitude of apathy toward preserving the nation’s assets for future generations.
But it is not just the physical infrastructure that suffers; Ghana’s work ethic has also come under scrutiny. A pervasive attitude of complacency and lackadaisical approach to work has permeated many sectors of society. From government offices to private businesses, tales abound of tardiness, inefficiency, and a general sense of indifference toward productivity. This attitude not only hampers economic growth but also erodes the fabric of society’s values.
Greed and individualism have further contributed to Ghana’s woes. In a quest for personal gain, some have forsaken the collective good, prioritizing self-interest over the well-being of the nation. Corruption, bribery and embezzlement have become all too common, siphoning off resources meant for the public good into the pockets of the privileged few. This culture of greed undermines trust in institutions and perpetuates inequality, widening the gap between the haves and the have-nots.
There has also been a noticeable decline in civic engagement and social capital in Ghanaian society. Once known for its strong sense of community belongingness and solidarity, there is now a growing sense of fragmentation and individualism. Trust in government and institutions has waned, leading to apathy and disillusionment among the populace. As a result, collective action toward addressing societal challenges has faltered, leaving many communities to fend for themselves.
Conclusion
From the most influential public figures to the most overlooked individuals in our nation, we have all played a part in diminishing the blessings of our 67-year-old motherland. Whether it is neglecting the small issues or perpetrating grave injustices behind closed doors, these actions have corroded our country’s prosperity and now endanger its security. Ultimately, the expression “Facing the Hard Truth” serves as a poignant reminder of Ghana’s untapped potential and the urgent need for concerted action to break free from the shackles of underdevelopment. It is a call to arms for all Ghanaians to rise above complacency, mediocrity and acrimonious and divisive partisan politics and instead, strive for excellence in every community and national endeavour.
