GHANA: OUR PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE?

We all need our past because it is from the past that we learn our lessons and plan for the future. We need our present because, it is in the present that we are able to look back, reflect and measure the progress we’ve chalked and then plan how we desire our future to be. We need the future because; it is in the future that we envision the best in all our achievements taking into account our past and present situation. Consequently, it is in the future that our hope lies. Can you imagine a life without a future? The past and the present are the foundation of our future.

Like all other countries, Ghana has a past, an interesting one for that matter. Looking back, our history as a nation has been filled with a lot of struggle as is often the case with people’s past; from the medieval times, into the various centuries, all through the political revolutions, to our present state.

As a country, our past tells us of the priceless wealth we once had (and still have) as a nation that made us different from others. These resources (our gold and other minerals) led to the colonization of our land and its people. In our past, we learnt of how our ancestors travelled far and wide for a suitable place of settlement. We learnt of how our ancestors, learned to co-exist notwithstanding their individual differences. With this, came the infiltration of several cultures accompanied by diverse religious opinions and education. Today, all can attest to the fact that these two elements have contributed to where we are now.

In our past, we learnt of how through good education, our forefathers decided to take their destinies into their own hands in the struggle for independence from the Whiteman. As a country, we were the first to start this struggle and also the first to win this battle throughout the entire African continent. Something we pride ourselves in. With this independence, came the battles for good governance. Clearly, in our history, there were various ideologies but we know that in all this, all involved had the interest of the country at heart one way or the other (however different our interpretations may be).

Presently as a nation, we have really come far in religion, education, and governance. The strides taken by our forefathers in the past goaded other countries on the continent to fight for themselves. We were then role models for others and I believe we still are. Through all this, we have been successful but the question is: How far have we come since then? We always talk about other countries e.g. Malaysia, which started at the same start line as we did but have gone so far ahead.

In terms of infrastructural development, steady economy, etc, we cannot deny the fact that some of our very own neighbouring countries that we so often take for granted are far ahead of us although we took a giant leap.

Why is this so? We took the lead in all things: in the struggle for independence, in the establishment of some major policies, etc but the developmental margins set by these countries can in no way be competed with.

We pride ourselves in calling this country a developing country but what proof of true development do we have? Does this pride stem from the few multistory structures we see in our major cities, especially our capital, Accra? Is this development measured by the few number of citizens who live in bungalows, ride expensive cars, wear good clothes, have good jobs and of course, speak big english?

In terms of education, how many good institutions can we boast of? In terms of health, how different is the story? What provisions have we made as a nation will ensure good, convenient and affordable health care for all? Is it the so-called national health insurance scheme? Let’s talk about transportation and our road networks? How many first class roads can we boast of?  What about viable employment: Is the story different? What about the wages and salaries of the working minority, what major lifestyle changes can their salaries make? What about access to some basic utilities: electricity and potable water, is the story different?

We have the present so that we can make references to the past. A lot of our leaders in the past were selfless and devoted to their causes although we can all agree some had selfish desires but a lot had the nation at heart. What is the story today?         

The problems we are facing today as a so-called developing country can be largely attributed to the type of leadership we have encountered as a nation. That is the sad reality.

For meaningful development to take place, we need good, committed and selfless leaders; Leaders who are prepared to fight for the interests of their people and not to enrich themselves. Leaders who burn with the desire and passion to see improvement in the lives of their people. That is what we need as a nation if we truly want to attain the status of a developed nation as we all claim. That is what clearly sets up apart from most developing countries.

In the past, various leaders have used the millennium development goals as a benchmark; how many of these goals have we attained so far? Even with those that we have managed to attain, how comprehensive are they?

Bipartisanism is the canker that is eating us all up! Until we learn to set aside our differences in political ideologies, we will remain stagnant as a nation or our situation might worsen. Bipartisanship breeds disunity. This political system creates competition and like a double edged sword, it can either bring out the best in people or the worse.

We ought to learn to throw our weight behind good policies and good leadership when we see one. We all know what is right and what is wrong. We should not be scared to point out when a person is going wrong and in return, we should be noble enough to admit our transgressions. True wisdom is developed when we admit our wrongdoing and learn from it. Our bipartisan politics is not doing us any good as a country. Through this bipartisanship, people take pleasure in opposing good policies and governance. Consequently, people take pride in lawlessness which has impeded our own progress as a nation. A good leader is often criticized by the opposition just for fun. Good policies are thrown aside just because the minority endorses it and bad policies are implemented by the majority because it feels right to them. Good and viable projects are abandoned just because it was initiated by a previous government.

As a proud Ghanaian citizen, I am still hopeful. I am hopeful because I know we have a future. In this future, we will look back and correct all the mistakes of our past because we would have grown stronger and wiser as a nation. With the future, we can presently make new plans. In this new plan, we will recite the national pledge and sing the national anthem with a strong desire, a renewal of vows to our nation, our people and most importantly, ourselves. A renewal of purpose where we will ensure that all the blood that was shed by our forefathers will not be in vain. We will ensure that our country attains the height that it so much deserves. In this future will arise a batch of leadership that is committed to ensuring improvement in the living conditions of all, both rich and poor. A batch of leadership that is selfless and devoted to the citizenry and not themselves. A batch of leadership that we will all be proud of and most importantly, a country that we will all take pride in calling our own; One that would forever be the pacesetter on our continent and globally.

As a nation, we have been really blessed, and we have to give good accounts of our blessings. As Ghanaians, we shouldn’t just say: ‘Proudly Ghanaian’. Our actions should depict it.

Let us take pride in our past, do the very best we can in our present, so that we can have an enjoyable and fulfilling future; if not for selves, for posterity.