Political Odyssey 7: New Ghana, New Ghanaian

Ghanaians take pride in our political acumen and generally pontificate on national and global issues with careless abandon. In propounding maxim and axiom about Ghana, many diametrically opposed views are expressed, each, with degrees of certainty or outrageous simplification. The past, as captured in history books is written, but we are living witnesses to the present. So, what does the future foreshadow for the next generation, the new Ghanaian? There is the specter of inevitability of intended and unintended consequences of our actions today for the new Ghanaian and future generations, since Ghanaians of today are consumed by self interest, bias, rationalizations and distortions, which inform our dogmatic attitude.

Words attributed to two ancient philosophers, serve as caveat to the indolent who is quick to criticize without facts. Aristotle stated ?it is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it?. Plato said ?A wise man speaks because he has something to say; a fool speaks because he has to say something?. As we proceed therefore to tweak the mind in this seventh edition of our Political Odyssey, we must brace a taboo and confront the big question: What must Ghana do for Ghana now and for the new Ghanaian of tomorrow? It would be surely presumptuous to suggest the existence of an exact answer to this momentous query.

If we are to assume today to be the first day in the life of Ghana, or, if Ghana is to start afresh, what are the steps that are required for Ghanaians to take charge of their own destiny? What would be the most efficient way for Ghanaians to take ownership of the project to develop Ghana? If we were to chart the development of Ghana as we step into the information age with the experience of other nations as our guide, what is the fastest and most humane way for Ghanaians to experience the empowering sense of self confidence that real economic development brings? These, dear reader, are the questions every Ghanaian must answer and charge our leadership to act on without delay. We have lost enough time. We need to take ourselves serious. We must act now or forever blame nobody but ourselves.

A New Kind of Ghanaian

Premium investment in Education will elevate Ghana and accelerate development. In the next century, a Ghana moving at the same pace as today?s, is a certain recipe for doom. The new classification of the Ministry of Information and National Orientation sounds suspiciously Orwellian and to many, as a sinister move. These suspicious minds, including this writer?s, may not be faulted since George Orwell himself said ?To see what is in front of one's nose requires a constant struggle,? added to Franklin D. Roosevelt?s ?When you see a rattlesnake poised to strike, you do not wait until he has struck before you crush him.? Is the new orientation ministry, the NPP government?s ?rattlesnake poised to strike? Ghanaians before December 2008 or something terrible, placed before our noses which we have begun the struggle to unravel? Trust in our current leadership is sorely lacking, hence this quagmire.

Be that as it may, folks need not be paranoid yet. Today?s Ghana is in need of a national re-focus. In this regard, the current president earns kudos for stumbling into creation of the new Ministry of National Orientation, even though he may have served Ghana ill by the appointment of an old political hack whose political life is more concerned with clinging to power, rather than a home grown or Diasporean maverick, with clear and concise ideas, for example, as to how Ghana?s moribund attitude of ?Yes Sir Master? subservience inculcated from colonial times may be truly done away with. When politicians take office, they expect everyone to kowtow before them without challenging their actions, corrupt or dubious. People brave enough to question immoral acts of office holders, be they traditional rulers or any other placed in position of authority, are branded names. A new Ghanaian must be brave enough to politely call a spade a spade. A proper national orientation ministry should be able to nudge Ghana in that direction.

Architectural and Urban Planning graduates from KNUST must design new dwellings for villages to make life there bearable by creating layouts that would ?force? the hands of District Assemblies to get politicians to act in a financially responsible way. How about a post office, a library, sanitation places, all provided for in such village to village redesigning, with the input of locals, subject to the availability of resources? An MP can then appeal to members of the Diaspora hailing from his locality to solicit for books and other materials needed. Many in the Diaspora would like to assist their villages, but without a grand master plan, delineating the topmost needs in their locality, these fine folks end up sending materials like Second-hand clothing people may WANT but not much of a priority with regard to what they NEED. This is one Ministry, which, if shorn of partisan politics, could be most useful and effective. However, our current crop of leaders appear to take partisanship to another level in everything they do and it would not be surprising that there may be an ulterior plan for this new Ministry, only known to Castle 2008 strategists. If only the love of nation would take precedence over political machinations! The following are some of the other suggestions a true agenda for National Orientation can go for:

The status quo is that a child born to an affluent or progressive family, if not affluent, will be steered into the old ?Colonial Mentality? type of School where the study of English will be paramount to the study of Science and Mathematics. Such a child will grow up to compete for a place at UG Legon or Kumasi KNUST or Cape Coast U, as a priority. 70%-75% of admissions will be for studies other than Agriculture, Engineering, Computer Technology or Medicine. The absurdity is that these needed technocrats are not settled properly on completion of their courses to entice them to stay in Ghana and be role models to younger generations. It thus becomes a losing effort for taxpayers throwing good money into training without reaping full benefits. Ghana needs more agriculturists, graduates and technicians, more engineers, more electricians, more carpenters, more plumbers, more cosmetologists, more of every professional who touches the lives of the masses daily. There must be more Regulated Licensing of all of the professions mentioned above. Every District must know how many hairdressers or carpenters are licensed to practice in there. This means the IRS must have offices in every village, not to hound the people, but just to make them honest and proud to be Ghanaians by paying their fair share of taxes (if not used on unnecessary per diems, but used to develop villages). It means experienced agricultural extension officers must not sit in comfortable offices in Accra or regional capitals, but must have presence in the villages and on farms. This means that Ghana?s vocational schools should not be looked down upon as a second-class and inferior last resort for those not gaining admission into our universities. Rather, Ghanaians should orient their thinking to realize the truth that these vocational/technical schools could harness the training of engineers, electricians and other working class professionals who actually hold the key to Ghana?s economic development. A vibrant National Orientation Ministry could be equipped to change our perception in the directions noted here.

The status quo of the set up and curriculum of our current Educational System must be done away with and replaced with more practical and functional system. In this regard, the effort of the ex- president of Ghana must be commended when he attempted to revamp the primary and secondary school structure inherited from previous regimes. He set up the JSS and SSS and introduced as core subjects, practical disciplines that would open young and fresh minds to careers in Agriculture and the Sciences. It must be added that, the program would have gained A+ ranking, if those charged with implementation had done better. There are those whose disdain for the JSS/SSS system can be measured in equal parts to their antipathy towards its proponent. So it would be great, if they would understand how moribund the old structure was and join to find better solution for the new Ghanaian pupil of tomorrow, unless they believe it is not the responsibility of the current generation to lay an effective foundation for the next.

Agriculture, for example, became synonymous with ?Punishment? in the colonial and post-colonial educational structure. The idea of Agriculture being a ?Punishment? rather than a vocation, was embedded in the minds of young pupils who were/are unable to grasp mathematical concepts, unable to conjugate verbs or for naughty infractions in class, were/are ?sentenced? to weed the school garden, or in our time at the boys middle boarding schools, given plots to plant green peas, salad leaves or whatever favorite vegetable the school master fancied. Many grew up therefore to ?hate? Agriculture and would not touch a hoe or a cutlass. Can this explain why our president and majority of his people do not appear to be enthused about Agriculture? A national orientation ministry should be able to change the president?s and his ministers? mindset.

Mathematics is shrouded in mystery as a very difficult subject. It does not help when sharp canes and whips are used to force pupils to learn multiplication ?by heart?. It acts as deterrence rather than encouragement to its study. Girls who show aptitude for Mathematics are not exactly popular. Many drop Mathematics from further study at the least opportunity. After beating the hell out of primary pupils for their inability to grasp concepts which teachers themselves are not well attuned to, it is no wonder that majority take to the study of Religion and other ?Arts? courses rather than the Sciences and Mathematics. Hence two distinct trends emerge; 1) University applications and admissions show a significant bias against Mathematics and Science. 2) ?Arts? applicants are by far the majority. We ask again in Pidgin English ?NA WHO CAUSAM?? Could this weak foundation in the natural sciences account for the proliferation of pastors and prophets and numerous apostolic churches whose congregation are made to do all manner of things according to the dictates of the ?holy spirit? that appear only to leaders of the churches some of who have fun with childless or troubled married women members, collect as much money from them and instill spiritual fear in them, on pain of burning in perpetual hot fires of ?Satan?s Hell Residence?.

A Diasporean, Okyere Bonna, living with his Ghanaian medical doctor spouse in America, is himself an accomplished mathematician. He has made the learning of Mathematics exciting for young folks by producing elementary concepts on a CD-ROM. A niece of mine in Ghana, an excellent student but hitherto having difficulty with mathematics is beneficiary of this man?s genius. My niece now receives prizes for the best in Mathematics in her class by re-acquainting herself with the concepts outlined in Okyere Bonna?s CD! She rose from zero to heroine! Anyone who would argue that Ghana does not have human talent to turn the nation around is indeed weird. Ghana has produced enough talents all scattered across the globe. Here is a seemingly silly but plausible scenario; If Bonna were to approach Ghana?s Ministry of Education today for mass introduction of his concept, one would not be surprised to discover politicians and leeches calculating what monies they would pocket, rather than asking Bonna and people like him to adapt their concept to local conditions, if needs be, to make mathematics a pleasant subject, which will make it imperative to shelve those sharp canes and whips and save the hides of little ones and not make them ?enemies? of Agriculture and mathematics for life!

All it would take for politicians is patriotic determination to make things amenable for the new Ghanaian of tomorrow. A tiny nation like Israel survives largely on Israeli talent, calling on all in the Diaspora to keep Israel alive. Of course whatever Uncle Sam doles out as assistance is at the behest of Israeli technocrats, not officials sitting in Washington DC! In Ghana, our politicians wait for donors to supply the funds, make project analysis (usually contracted out to Ghanaian Consultants) and provide supervision, which results in a significant portion of the funds not hitting the intended target! Our national orientation must be re-focused. The New Ghanaian must have Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and others demystified and made fun to study from early stages. The imagination of little minds is so great yet so malleable and so their inquisitiveness should not be stifled as is done today or was done yesterday.

If the Ministry of Information and National Orientation were to be run innovatively and not used for partisan political purposes, much could be accomplished and the president would be able to meet statutory requirements. The 1992 Constitution is bold, in fact, too bold. It devolves too much power in one individual, the president, whichever political party he comes from. For example; the president appoints the head of Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Duh! The term of office for the president is just 4 years and he practically spends inordinate amount of time to looking for nominees for DCE?s, Members of Board of Directors of gazillion State Enterprises. Okay, selecting his Ministerial folks should rightly be his prerogative.

The point here is that the president is placed in an unenviable situation where complying expeditiously with the provisions of Chapter six, Article 34 through Article 41, Directive Principles of State Policy becomes an afterthought, rather than a priority right on assumption of office. Specific political, economic, social, educational, cultural, international relations objectives are prescribed therein. These are very laudable goals and the framers of the Constitution should be billed top marks for formulating such directives. The current president is at pains when he receives insults and pleads that it is the State or the Presidency that suffers when indecorous language is directed at him. True, if the Constitution requires the president or the state to carry out the dictates of Chapter Six amongst others, he needs to command moral authority. He needs respect but he must be respectable too. He must be above reproach like Caesar?s wife! No corruption.

Article 39 (1), (2), (3) and (4), of the 1992 Constitution provide impetus for ?integration of appropriate customary values into the fabric of national life through formal and informal education and conscious introduction of cultural dimensions to relevant aspects of national planning?. In particular, it mandates the abolition of traditional practices ?which are injurious to the health and well being of the person?. Such fine language! It is the implementation that seems to have confounded government to this day. The confusion seems to be borne by the plurality of bodies such as the National Planning Commission, National Commission on Culture, National House of Chiefs and local traditional authorities amongst others, empowered by statute to deal with the rationalization of Cultural Practices. We now have the Ministry of Information and National Orientation thrown into the mix. Who does what and when would continue to be the drawback to meeting the objectives of the State, which the president is enjoined to ?take steps to encourage the integration of appropriate customary values? to be ?adapted and developed as an integral part of the growing needs of the society as a whole?. Who else may ultimately be held responsible for failure to achieve this objective, but the president? There is so much a president can bequeath as a legacy, if he acts!

BE THE CHANGE?

Ghana has always, since independence, fancied herself to be an arbiter of change on the African continent. Being the first country south of the Sahara to gain Independence, Ghanaians have usually considered themselves to be a shining star of freedom from which our fellow African nations can draw upon as a source of hope and freedom. Ghana?s vision of herself as the beacon of African freedom and liberty is a national pride. Yet, how truly free are we? Ghanaians are shackled by debt, poverty, and subservience to those we imagine are our betters. We continue to blame colonialism, make bad choices, elect bad leaders, point fingers at developed nations and western businesses, and yet fail to realize that the impetus for change can only come from within. Ghanaians keep hoping for rescue from our current miserable situation and still, wait passively, doing little to begin the small steps that will enable us to take control of our own destinies and be the change that we would like to see in our nation. Leaving a worthy legacy for the next generation to build on does not sound like such a bad idea at all. It is the right thing to do.

OUT WITH THE OLD:

Although it is good to have a healthy appreciation of the past and our history, there is nothing noble about clinging on to past practices and traditions that have little to offer and may actually impede progress. Just because, ?we have always done it that way, or ?this is the way our forefathers did something? is the excuse offered for certain inconsistent practices is no reason to continue pursuing them when they clearly hold us back from our modern potential. Albert Einstein defined insanity as ?repeating the same behavior over and over again and expecting different results?. Ghanaian society is full of people who repeat the same behavior but expect different results. Are we not by Einstein?s definition practically insane? Why do we persist with the same tired policies and practices that have led to little progress for the impoverished masses?

The importance of the subject matter of Land Tenure Reform cannot be over-emphasized. Hence the recurrent reference to it in our Odysseys. Ghana?s current system of land tenure is obviously unable to cope with the complexities of interest rates, ownership, investment and other forms of capitalism that have evolved in the 21st century. To this day, Ghana still maintains the same system of land tenure originated hundreds, if not thousands of years ago when people did not have to deal with the complexities of a multinational corporation owned by an American based in Switzerland who wanted to operate a processing factory in Ghana with a South African partner. Our ancestors were great people, noble people, but they obviously did not have to worry about what would happen should the price of oil become so prohibitive that the multinational corporation would decide to break his original partnership and leave a thorny patch of legal issues with respect to the dissolution of the corporation?s assets, including land.

While the above might be a facetious example, it points out that the problems faced by Ghanaians no are not the same as those faced by our forebears in previous years, and that modern solutions must be developed to address modern problems. The land tenure system is one such problem, and tradition and fealty to some Chiefdom must be made subordinate to the overall goal of patriotism and national identity.

Getting Ghana back on track means to stop waiting and start acting. Ghanaians must not be afraid to act; regardless of if we might fail. We need to ignore the naysayer who says everything is hopeless and simply ACT. Ghanaians cannot and should not wait for Parliament to pass a law that mandates that everyone comes to work on time, or that events should actually begin at their scheduled time. Why not make so-called ?Ghana-time? a thing of the past, something that is not taken to be the norm, but viewed as an attitude that seriously detracts from our nation?s overall good health and progress.

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The New Ghanaian of the future should be able to enjoy better quality of life, if our current generation of leaders as well as the body politic make critical assessment now of our shortcomings, plug loopholes in the Constitution, offer honesty in place of deceit and change our mindset, making attitudinal adjustments to modernity. It is up to the current generation and its leaders to ensure that the Ghanaian of the future has more opportunities and an aspiration towards excellence that cannot be denied by circumstances of poverty and idleness.