Few days ago, Ghana celebrated her 61st independence anniversary. Ghanaians from numerous and diverse origins could not shy away from this despite their displeasure about the country’s current condition. They were tired of hearing echoes of unfulfilled promises and seeing the horrible nature of our beloved country.
I, on the other hand, was busy monitoring President Akuffo Addo as he unveiled the design for the National Cathedral early that morning. Later in the day, I commenced my celebration by meeting up with great friends. We were treated to a nice meal from Auntie Regina. But the eating wouldn’t have been complete without Emmanuel and I having our occasional smoothie competition. I won this time around because more friends endorsed mine than his.
Bellies were full now and throats were soothed. Amazingly, we found ourselves discussing Ghana, not knowing how the topic emerged. Every Tom, Dick and Harry in there was complaining about the state of our nation. From the delivery of a child to sanitation to the use of funds and to our recent plague, armed robbery; someone had a displeasure. So Godfred, who had decided to be the Haruna Idrissu in this Martin Amidu vetting committee of ours, decided to ask a thought provoking question. He asked, “What do you guys think Ghana needs?”
Regina said Ghana needs education. Educating every individual either formally or informally on basic things like sanitation, health, managing their finances and others. This she believes will bring about the change Ghana needs. A change in various sectors of our society. Regina advocated that the value of education is vital to national growth and development.
Emmanuel, however, thought Ghana needs discipline. Where people face the consequences of their actions. A Ghana with working laws to punish people without mercy. He believes Ghanaians like to dance to the adage, “efutuo nsakyira nnipa, agyesℇ nsↄhwℇ” (advice doesn’t change human beings but trials). So the laws should sing this way; anyone who offends the law should dance to its harsh beat. If anyone tries to sink Ghana, they should learn the chorus of its instant and inescapable justice.
I didn’t get the opportunity to say what I thought Ghana really needs. Arguments were too heated that all I could do was to share my view on what they said instead. So I decided to share Moses’ “what Ghana needs” with the public.
I think Ghana really needs a “next Nkrumah”. Hold on people. Do not prejudge my view before I explain. You may agree or disagree with me when I’m done. History has a school of thought that attributes the accumulator of Ghana’s liberation to Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah. I would not want to spark another debate about his struggles and achievements. But I would want to focus on one thing, his mindset. Nkrumah had that kind of mindset that weighed the ratio between how good or bad his individual actions and decisions will affect Ghana. A mindset that had the will to join the fight for freedom, provide basic amenities and empower the black man. He connected to tomorrow while living his today. He believed what he does today will affect his tomorrow and the future he may never see.
I think Ghana needs a “next Nkrumah”. Not in physical representation and resemblance, but in mental depictions and likeness. What Ghana really needs is an entire citizenry whose minds are tuned to understand that, the Ghana we dream of can become real out of our collective individual responsibility. A citizenry, whose mental strength give rise to attitudes that will be of benefit to the country. A mindset that thinks not of today’s benefits only, but that of tomorrow to. A mind that will remind us that our actions today, are linked to the betterment of Ghana’s future. Where we can think of Ghana’s benefits when we stop lithering everywhere, stop illegal inflation of prices, say no to corruption and yes to good education. But all in all, say yes to a better Ghana, a Ghana beyond aid and corruption.
Nkrumah once said; “Action without thought is empty and thought without action is blind”. Yes, that was something I personally revere him for. We cannot do things haphazardly just because it is convenient. Investing time to think through our actions will give us better results.
President Akuffo Addo in his 2018 state of the nation’s address announced the investment of GH200m to help improve Ghana’s sanitation. Our mindset could save us this cash. If we begin to tune our minds to know sanitation is an individual responsibility, not government’s responsibility. Without changing our attitudes, our streets will be clean today but will be littered again in nanoseconds.
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