My Ghanaian Economy; So so wahala
For those who know me personally, I have always been a
fan of President Mahama but considering all that is currently facing this
nation, I must ask: Bosso, how far? Because all around me, it is so so
wahala!!!
Bosso, how far now? This country is facing several
hardships. This bus seems to be steering off course, and so, we need to alert
our driver.
For a fact, most countries are facing hardships. It is
a global recession. My Italian colleagues would tell me that, on the average,
most people in Italy earn below their average household expenditure. In the United
Kingdom, things are no different. Even in America, God’s own supposed country,
things are quite tough, and have been for a while now. What then becomes of our
poor economy? Our economy, that is so reliant on foreign aid. Our economy that
depends on foreign economies! In a country where we go carrying collection bags
at various summits purposely for funds for almost all projects. A country that
goes a-borrowing each time a project needs to be executed. So so wahala.
Quite recently, I heard on the news that Ghana made at
least 800million dollars from our oil revenue. What has, or what will become,
of that money? I live in Takoradi, and I keep asking myself this question on a
daily basis; what is happening to the revenues from our oil exploration. We
keep boasting of our oil country, but what is happening to that money? What of
the oil? Yes, this country is earning from her oil find, but are Ghanaians enjoying
the true benefits, if any? Until then, it is so so wahala.
I know some may argue that these monies are being used
as subsidies but subsidies to what? Considering the current daily tax upsurges,
I have serious doubts. Rather sadly, the usual talks continue. It is always
talks about government putting in measures to secure our currency! Measures to
curb inflation! To the average man, a hodgepodge of meaningless words! Are they
any true measures? Like most measures put in place in the past, we feel the sting
each day. Ghana never takes a holistic measure in addressing issues. We only
put in temporal solutions, and then as always, a few years down the lane, nemesis
catches up with us. So so wahala.
The economic hardships we are facing in this nation
did not just pop up on us one morning like a surprise! It was gradual! There
were warning signs, but our leadership ignored them. The poor state of our
economy is because our leaders have failed to find lasting solutions to our
developmental issues. Yes, the issues this country is facing are mere
developmental issues, and not mystics. Our leadership only gives it surface
dressings as solutions. Just like how we treat potholes on our roads! So so
wahala!
Can Ghana ever learn to tackle issues from the
foundation? Leaders come and go, and yet rather disappointingly, they leave
without finding lasting solutions to our problems. In Ghana today, prices of
utilities keep soaring each day. Can our governments not learn to take a bold
step by increasing these prices once to cover a considerable period? That would
save us the yearly or considering our current situation, the daily increments. Our
central bank is talking about closing down dollar accounts, and yet, there are
talks of exemptions, and so, in the end, the standards are further lowered! We
keep talking about inflation but to what avail? Can these daily increments in
any way, stabilize our economy? Of course, our dirty politics is quite elusive
to the realities surrounding us. So so wahala.
Our central bank has now seen the need to forestall
local transactions in foreign currencies. I am indeed surprised at how long it
has taken us to come to this reality. But the question is: how many Ghanaians
have dollar accounts or largely trade on such terms? It falls back to those on
top! Yes, we are the cause of our own problems and so, in finding solutions, we
conveniently go on a wild goose chase! We have made our markets and economy so
susceptible! And for what? Our selfish interest, as always! So so wahala.
Can our governments really solve our problems? I am
not happy with the current happenings in this nation.
President Mahama has been behind the steering wheel of
this bumpy ride for some time now and as an optimist, I look forward to when he
would turn this bumpy ride into a safe and smooth cruise. Until then, the
future seems really bleak. So so wahala. Bosso, how far? It is so so wahala.
I like your argument, and the fact that I am able to descend a genuine concern and love for our dear nation from it makes me very proud of you.. It is true that leadership have failed us so far, but I believe leaders emerge from among it citizens and therefore reflects the nature and character of the people, this point is to extend the argument. Very few people in this country will admire, support and vote for a leader and yet question some of his decisions and how those impact the future of this country. From my perspective this happens to be the problem, the day the Ghanaian or majority of Ghanaians begin to care about their welfare and the nation as whole rather than just have their preferred candidates in office will be the day we make progress. unfortunately the situation confronting us is the opposite. First of all we need to change our attitude as a people, we must have dreams and the desire to pursue them, this will influence and inform our choices and the expectations we have of our leaders.
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If the president can have a strong, efficient working system at the ministries, agencies and departments that is useful and able to solve problems of the 21st century then this country will be strong again and his dreams and policies will see the light of day. I strongly believe the Ghanaian is the problem. The politicians are only a reflection of who we have become...but that's not who we are.
Well said Kwame..... I agree 101% with you. We are the cause of our own woes.... I look forward to the day more Ghanaians would indeed acknowledge this fact.... Until then, so so wahala.....
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