FUNNY COUNTRY, GOVERNED BY A FUNNY SYSTEM...

It was lunch break, and so as we left site for the closest town, Agona Nkwanta, for lunch, all we did was fantasize about the meal ahead. As we hit the main road, we sat in anticipation. Moving further and further, our stomachs rumbled and churned at an increasing pace, and with increasing intensity. Until...

Further down the road, a long build-up of traffic was spotted, amid a thick mass of smoke. Alarmed and yet hopeful, devoid of any negativity, we drew closer, joining the trail of vehicles that had already built up. Curious, we got out, to realize that our dream would be almost squashed.

Ahead of us, about a 100m away was an accident between a tipper truck, and a Kia truck carrying a huge pile of logs. The vehicles were in a headlock with smoke emanating from one. 

As a result of the collision, the road had been blocked. No vehicle could move, either to, or fro! Our joy died out immediately. Our reverie, crinkled. Of course, the hunger remained. Lingering with each swallow of saliva.

For a while, we sat in traffic since there was no way out. There was no alternative route to get to our destination. The queue kept building up. Passengers sat in wait, high and dry and frustrated. Several trucks sat in wait, with their loads, trailers, taking up more space. Those on the way for various pressing needs or assignments could only pray that the road cleared soon enough. Of course by who, no one knew.

In all this, one thing became clear. Western region had a serious problem in terms of road network. There were no major alternative routes linking Takoradi to the immediate and remote towns apart from the main routes. From Takoradi to Tarkwa and beyond, had no alternative route apart from the Agona Nkwanta route. In the event of any unforeseen occurrence or accident, as did that gloomy afternoon, the consequences would be unfathomable. 

Eventually, people joined forces to clear the road off the pile of logs that had blocked the way for traffic to move. A portion of the road still had the accident vehicles in a head-lock.

And when everything was done, our gallant fire service showed up, siren blasting... As we moved further along, it was the turn of our police, who seemed in a hurry to exercise their mandate. The mandate, of which your guess, is as good as mine.

All we could do was to have a good laugh... At least, we still had some energy left to do that. I could only think of how crazy the system is, in this country.

Here I was in a city with a one-directional road network. In the event of any emergency, what would be the option?

Again here I was, having witnessed at first hand, the response time of the police and fire service to an accident scene. Even for the fire truck, accessing the scene of the accident seemed to be a hurdle since this very road, was not wide enough. Can you imagine what would have happened, had there been several casualties, requiring prompt or emergency medical attention? Sadly, one person perished. Hmm…

Did I fail to mention that this particular route was also an international route, linking Ghana to Cote D-'Ivoire and its immediate countries?

If I should start describing the nature and current state of roads and road networks within Sekondi-Takoradi, we would spend a decade. Governments have come and gone, and yet, things seem to only worsen. Of course, my fellow westerners seem to be in no hurry. My paddies are cool, chilling in the elusive Oil City!

I live in awe of the day there would be the inescapable reason to reconstruct the Takoradi-Agona Nkwanta stretch of road. Although I speak of western region, I speak not only of my region, or for my region. I speak of yours, and for yours, for such are your soliloquies.

But hey, what do I know? I live in a funny country, governed by a funny system.

WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE

I recently phoned in on a radio program that was specifically addressing illegal migration. The guest speaker exhibited a lot of in-depth knowledge. It was as though he was reading my mind. The host of the program asked me an interesting question after I had finished with my input.

The question was: 'What would you tell the president, should you be granted a face to face encounter?' Interesting question right? My answer however, was simple: 'I have nothing to tell the president. He knows what to do.'

Well, I said that. Yes, I have nothing to tell the president. He knows what to do.

For those who have been friends and acquaintances, you would all bear witness to my numerous articles covering various issues. Till date, as has always been the bane of our society, nothing much has been done.

My notable success might be the commendations I have received, as well as the attacks and insults. That is Ghana, my beloved country. We keep talking, but no action.

I have nothing to tell the president because indeed, he knows what to do. Like most of our elected or appointed leaders, they know what to do. And like them, we know what to do. The real question is, why are we not doing what ought to be done?

We keep talking about research, planning, policies, enforcement or implementation, personnel, experts and expertise, and on, and on, and on. The reality however is, we have them all. There is nothing new to be done. Archimedes already developed the principles. So did Leonardo Davinci. So did Socrates. So did Isaac Newton. Our local inventors have played their own parts.

The numerous policies we talk about, and keep adding to without enforcement. The various government supposed interventions. The numerous radio discussions. The numerous debates. The numerous demonstrations. The numerous campaign promises. All, unfulfilled. And for those fulfilled however, we have our various individual reservations.

I have nothing to tell the president because he knows what to do. Most of our leaders have travelled far and wide, and continue to do so. They are very much aware of the various developmental and infrastructural milestones being chalked elsewhere. They are aware of the various policies or interventions behind these successes or achievements. Let's not forget our recent fascination with Rwanda! Right here in Africa. Not to sound condescending but I must ask: Are they supernatural? Are they not ordinary humans like us?

What is wrong with this nation? What is wrong with our leadership? And of course, what is wrong with us?

We definitely know what to do. But we choose not to do it. We keep talking about experts for this and that. Keep hailing accolades. In the end however, what do we have to show for it? A nation that keeps failing its people.

If we want to get it right, it starts with us. Do we have the will to do the right thing? Because we know right, from wrong. We keep talking about enforcement but as we all know, that is an issue better left unsaid.

For our failing healthcare, poor sanitation rotten roads, upsurge of crime and lawlessness, housing deficits with its associated canker, increasing slums, increasing unemployment, persistent floods and other human-made disasters, it's all about us.

Enough of the excuses. Our leaders know what to do. They must be held to higher standards. We must all be held to higher standards. We know what to do. The right thing must be done. It starts with us all, from wherever we find ourselves. Do what is rightly required of you today; your quota. If we all would, this country would be like the Malaysia and Singapore we keep talking about, and keep comparing ourselves to.

Right from the days of the Osagyefo, this country has always had a development plan. When it comes to national policies, we would be amazed at the numbers and types.

As always, governments come and go, each in pursuit of their various agendas, to our disadvantage. In the end, what do we have? An impoverished citizenry who seem clueless of their predicament.

But again, what do I know? It’s my opinion after all.

Anna Esi Hanson (nnhanson2@yahoo.com)