CEIBS Prof. disappointed in Ghana’s economic dev’t

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Balderash 10 years ago

This is not to take anything from the South East Asian countries. They had a vision. These countries allowed the government to direct their development. With Ghana, we listen to the IMF/World Bank to the letter. Some might ...
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This is not to take anything from the South East Asian countries. They had a vision. These countries allowed the government to direct their development. With Ghana, we listen to the IMF/World Bank to the letter. Some might say there is more corruption in Ghana. I don't think so. South Korea and many of the Asian countries are just as corrupt. The Asian countries have been able to obtain better concessions from the global capitalist powers. South Korea for example was getting very good loan packages from U.S banks because the United States wanted to prove its system was superior to South Korea's neighbor to the North. What is troubling is the net foreign aid to Africa is negative. Even though it may seem Africa gets a lot in development aid, that injection is offset by a larger leakage out of the continent. There are too many hands in Africa's skirt. Africa's vast and rich natural resource endowment makes it a prey of others. Our leadership has been very poor. Most of our leaders are imposed on us even though it appears they are voted in power. Our leaders cannot take a position that enshrines our need for self-reliant and anti-exploitation policies. Our leaders are supposed to kow-tow the line that Africa is ready to do business with rest of the world no matter the costs. When we cut deals for the exploitation of our natural resources, we get the worst kind of deals primarily out of desperation, chicanery and fear. In a nutshell, our weakness politically makes us vulnerable to the strong-arm tactics of our partners. Until we can get our political house in order, nothing good will come out of our relationship with the rest of the world. Let us not be naive: One needs some leverage in the international arena to be able to succeed. Prudent management of affairs alone will not deliver. China is a permanent member of the UN security council; it is a nuclear power; it is the most populous country in our world. This means China can bargain for better bilateral or multilateral deals than say Ghana or Nigeria. I do think African countries can squeeze better concessions in trade and development if they bargain as a bloc. We are too weak handling these matters in singularity.
Kofi K, 10 years ago

Truth is the Ghanaian leader starts by thinking of his family. When he is in a position, it is about how to place his or her family a place that when that position is no more he can still enjoy the same rewards. See how many ...
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Truth is the Ghanaian leader starts by thinking of his family. When he is in a position, it is about how to place his or her family a place that when that position is no more he can still enjoy the same rewards. See how many Ghanaian children are sent abroad for education instead of improving the one we have.
Case in point; none of JJ rawlings kids went to high school in Ghana after he introduced Jss. he sent them all abroad n returned as professionals. When there is corruption in Asia as being said, true, but the people think of country first, firstly he would do what must be done to benefit the state before "enjoying" the side dish. Not in Ghana He would convert a whole organization's account into his personal account, then turn round to source money from govt. to execute the same job people's money have been paid to do.
Our mindset is poor DISHONESTY is killing us. Even Head of States of Ghana refuse to agree, they are surrounded by SYCOPHANTS, to tell them they are doing well, where are failing. Party crooks are appointed in positions as reward. In Ghana Company Board membership is dished out as nobody's business. General secretaries of parties rule the state.
In Canada the head of Prime minister drives his own car to work.
Eko 10 years ago

Excellent post. Certainly more insightful an analysis than that provided by Dr Ramasamy in the article.

Excellent post. Certainly more insightful an analysis than that provided by Dr Ramasamy in the article.
Goldcoater 10 years ago

No, it is NOT the IMF, it is called, stupid and myopic leaders. Why should IMF come in if everything goes right? The folks in Ghana love to brandish degrees, feel big, steal money and don't have a clue about development, so w ...
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No, it is NOT the IMF, it is called, stupid and myopic leaders. Why should IMF come in if everything goes right? The folks in Ghana love to brandish degrees, feel big, steal money and don't have a clue about development, so when they mismanage, the IMF comes in to impose rules.

Do you see any intelligent person among the politians and the bulk that came from the West after their degrees? Look at the parliament, look among the ministers and point to just one intelligent peron among them.
In the end, the country just reflect the rate of intelligence among our rulers.
Dr Jay 10 years ago

Good contribution but want to add that Ghanaians do not love each other as the so called Whiteman or Caucasians do. We must put a stop to our divisive, envious and selfish ways and do the opposite. Also those countries have z ...
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Good contribution but want to add that Ghanaians do not love each other as the so called Whiteman or Caucasians do. We must put a stop to our divisive, envious and selfish ways and do the opposite. Also those countries have zero tolerance for corruption and to them the best answer is execution for the betterment of their Nations. The opposite is true for Ghana when the political parties will quickly jump in the defense of their corrupt officials. Truly we have a long way to go because we think backwards.
TWILIGHT SPARKLE 10 years ago

Yep, that's a better analytical construct than the lame comments made by this so-called professor who thinks a skyline is the indicia for development. Nkrumah advocated the position this post takes: unity of the continent to ...
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Yep, that's a better analytical construct than the lame comments made by this so-called professor who thinks a skyline is the indicia for development. Nkrumah advocated the position this post takes: unity of the continent to allow for leverage. Sad truth is because the West knows this will diminish their neo-colonial control of Africa, they will go to murderous ends to prevent it; hence coups and direct interference in our politics to prevent any meaningful effort to countervail their control over our economies. The IMF/WB are instrumental in this control and our leaders, as noted, are really not leaders, but tools and collaborators with them in keeping us down. Until we fight back with all our might, we will forever remain hewers of wood and drawers of water for the Western and white world.
Fo Koku - Tanyingbe 10 years ago

I ASK MYSELF, WAS THERE OPPOSITION PARTIES AS WE HAVE IN GHANA. THIS MAN IS TALKING RUBBISH. THESE ASIAN COUNTRIES HAD AND HAVE NO NEGATIVE OPPOSITION AS WE HAVE IN GHANA. EVERY COUNTRY AND REGION HAS UNIQUE SITUATION.

I ASK MYSELF, WAS THERE OPPOSITION PARTIES AS WE HAVE IN GHANA. THIS MAN IS TALKING RUBBISH. THESE ASIAN COUNTRIES HAD AND HAVE NO NEGATIVE OPPOSITION AS WE HAVE IN GHANA. EVERY COUNTRY AND REGION HAS UNIQUE SITUATION.
Chief 10 years ago

Our leaders ,culture and thinking doesn't aid devt ..until we change this animal mentality we are going no where ..we will develop in 500 yrs time

Our leaders ,culture and thinking doesn't aid devt ..until we change this animal mentality we are going no where ..we will develop in 500 yrs time
Eric 10 years ago

I think we can discuss and talk about any issues and which solutions will be good for Ghana BUT the FACT of the matter is that the FOOLS in Ghana heavily outnumber the wise men!!!

I think we can discuss and talk about any issues and which solutions will be good for Ghana BUT the FACT of the matter is that the FOOLS in Ghana heavily outnumber the wise men!!!
Goldcoaster 10 years ago

Exactly! Sometimes you wonder if there are any wise people in Ghana.

Exactly! Sometimes you wonder if there are any wise people in Ghana.

james 10 years ago

They are waiting for Jesus to come back and develope the country for them... lol

They are waiting for Jesus to come back and develope the country for them... lol
ERIC, STUTTGART 10 years ago

YOU ARE VERY RIGHT! INSTEAD OF THINKING AND BEING PRODUCTIVE THEY SPEND 7DAYS A WEEK PRAYING IN CHURCH HOPING GOD SHALL SWEEP THEIR BACKYARDS FOR THEM.

YOU ARE VERY RIGHT! INSTEAD OF THINKING AND BEING PRODUCTIVE THEY SPEND 7DAYS A WEEK PRAYING IN CHURCH HOPING GOD SHALL SWEEP THEIR BACKYARDS FOR THEM.
Toffey 10 years ago

....we also do not love our country. All of us! The only time we show love Black Stars are playing in a football tournament. We shout the most at churches and profess to be Christians but we are damn greedy and do not care ab ...
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....we also do not love our country. All of us! The only time we show love Black Stars are playing in a football tournament. We shout the most at churches and profess to be Christians but we are damn greedy and do not care about what happens to our fellow brother or sister and hence the country. This country will never develop!
most Ghanaians are fraudsters 10 years ago

The politicians are chopping all the money

The politicians are chopping all the money
Prof Lungu 10 years ago

Good observations!

Paint!

Even simply painting homes regularly is a non-activity, even in Ghana's capitals.

Forget about the towns and villages!

Good observations!

Paint!

Even simply painting homes regularly is a non-activity, even in Ghana's capitals.

Forget about the towns and villages!
Dr. Appocco 10 years ago

How does a country make significant changes with persistent "dumsor"? A country can't develop without a reliable supply of energy/power. That's no rocket science!!!

How does a country make significant changes with persistent "dumsor"? A country can't develop without a reliable supply of energy/power. That's no rocket science!!!
Eko 10 years ago

Not only that I know plenty if Ghanaians like myself who work in fields of technology who would like to take that expertise or new innovations to Ghana to help the country grow. However Dumsor makes it foolish to base yourse ...
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Not only that I know plenty if Ghanaians like myself who work in fields of technology who would like to take that expertise or new innovations to Ghana to help the country grow. However Dumsor makes it foolish to base yourself in Ghana or employ Ghana-based staff in this respect. Ghana is blessed with a smart diaspora that has love and pride for the motherland - without the Dumsor palaver Ghana would be doing much better by now.
jon 10 years ago

Ghana people waist their time going about religious practices and funerals. This is where they also leave a lot of the stolen money. In developing and developed countries religion is not exaggerated like it is in Ghana and ma ...
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Ghana people waist their time going about religious practices and funerals. This is where they also leave a lot of the stolen money. In developing and developed countries religion is not exaggerated like it is in Ghana and many African countries. So blackmen time for a change and now!
james 10 years ago

Spot on... religion keep Ghanian minds from inventing and creating things that can be exported. they would prefer to pray to a non existing god and than to have a developed country. Amen!

Spot on... religion keep Ghanian minds from inventing and creating things that can be exported. they would prefer to pray to a non existing god and than to have a developed country. Amen!
aboa a oni dua Nyame na opra ne ho 10 years ago

In Ghana it is misplaced religion and misintepretation of the Bible.

In Ghana it is misplaced religion and misintepretation of the Bible.

KANAWU 10 years ago

PROF. SORRY TO BE DISAPPOINTMENT. THE TIME YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT, WE HAD A DIFFERENT GOVT. NOW WE ARE RULED BE NDC AT NIGHT.

PROF. SORRY TO BE DISAPPOINTMENT. THE TIME YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT, WE HAD A DIFFERENT GOVT. NOW WE ARE RULED BE NDC AT NIGHT.
KWAME DANSO-MIAMI-FLORIDA,USA. 10 years ago

THE REASON WE DO NOT DEVELOP AND RETROGRESSING IS CLEAR...CORRUPTION
,LAZINESS,GREED AND STUPIDITY OF GHANAIANS MOST GHANAIANS SPEND MORE TIME IN CHURCHES PRAYING OR HAVING SEX ENDLESSLY THINKING MANNER OR SOME MIRACLE WILL ...
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THE REASON WE DO NOT DEVELOP AND RETROGRESSING IS CLEAR...CORRUPTION
,LAZINESS,GREED AND STUPIDITY OF GHANAIANS MOST GHANAIANS SPEND MORE TIME IN CHURCHES PRAYING OR HAVING SEX ENDLESSLY THINKING MANNER OR SOME MIRACLE WILL DROP FROM HEAVEN WHICH THE CORRUPT SO-CALLÉD CHURCH LEADERS HAVE BRAIN- WASHED THEM WITH.THE POLITICIANS AND PEOPLE IN AUTHORITY ARE SO CORRUPT AND BRAINLESS/FOOLISH.
GHANA WILL CONTINUE FALLING WITH ALL THESE NEGATIVITIES.
JAMES Y 10 years ago

Say it as it is! Shame unto Ghana! What the Professor has said should spin the heads of all Ghanaians. Rawlings was there, as President, for 19 years; what did he do? Kufuor, 8 years; what did he do? Mills/Mahama, now going 8 ...
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Say it as it is! Shame unto Ghana! What the Professor has said should spin the heads of all Ghanaians. Rawlings was there, as President, for 19 years; what did he do? Kufuor, 8 years; what did he do? Mills/Mahama, now going 8 years; we are yet to see any worthwhile infrastructural or industrial development. Nkrumah was the only one who could show us he had done well, developmentally, for Ghana. Shame! we should bury our heads in our hands! What the Professor is saying is so, so, true.
james 10 years ago

Rawlings made sure to empty the state coffers before leaving office. That about all he did in the almost 20 years he was in charge and some see him as a national hero lol

Rawlings made sure to empty the state coffers before leaving office. That about all he did in the almost 20 years he was in charge and some see him as a national hero lol
Chief 10 years ago

Ok

Ok
Akwasi Nyame Adom 10 years ago

Prof. you've said it all.Extremely shame to Ghanaian political leaders whos only aim is to acquire wealth,dress well and drive in expensive cars surrounded by filt and porverty.We need a major REVOLUTION to change the mentali ...
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Prof. you've said it all.Extremely shame to Ghanaian political leaders whos only aim is to acquire wealth,dress well and drive in expensive cars surrounded by filt and porverty.We need a major REVOLUTION to change the mentality of these criminals.
Nii Okai 10 years ago

First what do Ghanaians in reality want as a nation , and do the WHITEMAN agree with them? It is very true that after our independence Ghana's economy was better than South Korea and Malaysia etc. It is because the leader Nkr ...
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First what do Ghanaians in reality want as a nation , and do the WHITEMAN agree with them? It is very true that after our independence Ghana's economy was better than South Korea and Malaysia etc. It is because the leader Nkrumah had the vision of what he wanted Ghana to be. The question is does the WHITEMAN agree?

There was NO military coup instigated by the Americans, the British and the French against those nations at that time in Asia, the Asia Tigers you are refering to even though their leaders stayed in power for years [what today democracy called it dictators] yet they reached far and achieved what you are refering to.

The Singapore leader Lee Kuan Yew then said if they had followed the constitution the British left with them they should not have reached where they are now, a good point to consider.

They refused to follow the democracy left with them, instead they devised their own political strategy called stay in power as you like and help us achieve our goals.

On the part of Ghana and Africa the WHITEMAN, the thorn in the flesh of the Africans interrupted with hatred oriented policy to undermine the Africans so that there would be no development in order for the status quo to remain so that economic neo colonialism will continue, and yes with power they won the battle in this area against the Africans and Ghana in particular.

Although the WHITEMAN monitors Africans daily with negative smart mind our unity and coperation could have helped us to run a little faster than we are today. This calls in EDUCATION as the power to outwit the enemy with the awareness that Ghanaians have enemy when it comes to development.

We failed in our educational and industrial strategies after the WHITEMAN had killed Nkrumah, because the people he put in office never understood the importance of SCIENCE, ENGINEERING AND TECHNICAL SKILLS.

The WHITEMAN further caused us to fail with our energy policies. Nkrumah was building the Atomic reactors at Kwabenya to provide cheap electricity, the same WHITEMAN stopped the project. It is the same Atomic reactors he used in his Europe/America to provide continous electricity for his industries.

Today no electricity but you are fighting Mahama instead of pausing and coming together to meditate in unity and say shame unto the WHITEMAN but your stupidity had caused you to make blame game the order of the day.

Apart from the WHITEMANS'opposition our failure came in because of the wrong direction our education also took. I remembered the comment Lee Kuan Yew of Singapore made, saying that they did not spend time on Arts related subjects instead they spent their precious time in the areas of Science, Engineering and Technical skills thus helping their students to come out as REAL contributors to the national developments.

And even he said for their students to be well educated they selected the best 30 university graduates to teach in the primary schools. Can Ghana do this? And which leader can propose this apart from Nkrumah?

Thanks to God that Mahama had suggested that our poly technics should be converted into Technical Univesities yet people with so called qualifications but educated boffons from all quarters are criticing the idea, yet the same people come out with references to Singapore and Malaysia of what they had achieved.

In reality till today Ghana is far away from these subjects. In addition to Ghana's woes the people who are in politics today are all Arts subjects related minded people hence no real technical universities in the nation.

In the area of infrastructural developments how can a nation move better in this area when we really do not have the labour with those needed skills and experience, [do not be confused with the road side trained technicians].

At this junction I thank the economics professor of his interest in evaluating our nation's stand in the area of infrastratural development.

It is bascically unfortunate for the Africans in general and Ghana in particular that they were disturbed by the WHITEMAN while Asians natural resources was of minor importance to the WHITEMAN by then comparatively and so that enable them to escape the radar screen of the WHITEMAN hence the Africans' downfall.

And in the case of Ghana they gave the WHITEMAN room because of their political disunity to ussher them into the arena of development that the economics professor talks about.

Finally I call on Ghanaians to undertand that the ball is our court and without team work of unity it will be automatically difficult for our nation to achieve much and leave some for our dearest children and grandchildren.

Lets get together and improve our education in the areas of Science, Engineering and Technical Skills. Thank you.
Dr Jay 10 years ago

Good contribution so far but want to add that Ghanaians do not love each other as the so called Whiteman or Caucasians do. We must put a stop to our divisive, envious and selfish ways and do the opposite. Also those countries ...
read full comment

Good contribution so far but want to add that Ghanaians do not love each other as the so called Whiteman or Caucasians do. We must put a stop to our divisive, envious and selfish ways and do the opposite. Also those countries have zero tolerance for corruption and to them the best answer is execution for the betterment of their Nations. The opposite is true for Ghana when the political parties will quickly jump in the defense of their corrupt officials. Truly we have a long way to go because we are think backwards.
Captein 10 years ago

You said the truth and rightly so, because and because again, 1. stupid politicians who think about just power and want to remain there forever so they entrench themselves by pleasing people with petty gifts, so they become s ...
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You said the truth and rightly so, because and because again, 1. stupid politicians who think about just power and want to remain there forever so they entrench themselves by pleasing people with petty gifts, so they become short of change for the big infrastructure projects. Not winning elections and holding a country to ransom. Governments ar scared on spending on high rise because of the spate of unsecurity of arson, caused by ghosts and I mean about 3,500 fires a year of burning markets. The other could be the Al shabaab, boko haram, killing of chiefs, killing of politicians like Mobila and throwing acid on some like recent Mahama death by own party members. Then you have literally and I repeat literally, the stomach politicians who wil be filling their bellies with carbohydrates (fufu) at any opportunity and then you add the age old corruption.
Secondly, you come to the population itself who do not seem to think big just like their leaders. They do not demand accountability at all cost. They do not challenge the politicians hard enough to demand that politicians need to deliver to them and not making politicians rich by looting state property. The list go on and on unabating because of sychophants who will support any useless politician to tgeir own peril and many of these politicians think it is either their birth right or extension of royalty.
If Africans stop gifting, corruption will cease and there will be money left for infrastructure and then everyone pay their taxes too, since that is where revenue is.
I have been to Malaysia, South Korea, Singapore too and I feel what the good professor is saying. I have said it and I would say the same thing the prof said and many more Ghanaians feel the same too. The populace and politicians will have to be on the same page on development and infrastructure. But of course there are to many divisions and pull factors into all directions that is not helping.
kb 10 years ago

Most of other countries were once enslaved, colonized or occupied one time or the other. 58 years of independence is a long time for us to decide what we want as a people and work towards it. We should stop the talking and bl ...
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Most of other countries were once enslaved, colonized or occupied one time or the other. 58 years of independence is a long time for us to decide what we want as a people and work towards it. We should stop the talking and blaming of other people!!

OKOE 10 years ago

WHAT THE PROF. IS TELLING OUR LEADERS IF THEY CARE TO LISTEN IS THAT, WE ARE NOT PROGRESSING DESPITE OUR RESOURCES. IF RAWLINGS AND THE ARMY WANT TO LISTEN, THEN THEY MUST READ WHAT THE PROF. JUST WROTE OR SAID. YOU HAVE COLL ...
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WHAT THE PROF. IS TELLING OUR LEADERS IF THEY CARE TO LISTEN IS THAT, WE ARE NOT PROGRESSING DESPITE OUR RESOURCES. IF RAWLINGS AND THE ARMY WANT TO LISTEN, THEN THEY MUST READ WHAT THE PROF. JUST WROTE OR SAID. YOU HAVE COLLECTIVELY DESTROYED GHANA DESPITE WHAT YOU THINK AND DID. YOU SOLD THE ESTABLISHMENTS FOR GHANA'S DEVELOPMENT TO YOURSELVES. IN ORDER TO HIDE YOUR CRIMES YOU COME FROM TIME TO TIME TO THROW CRITICISMS ABOUT THE CURRENT SITUATION TO HIDE YOUR MISDEEDS WHEN YOU WERE IN POWER. NOW YOU CAN READ THE TRUTH FOR YOURSELF FROM SOMEONE OUTSIDE LOOKING IN.
PEKI TUMU 10 years ago

The reasons are simple. Cultural differences are one such reason. The governments of Ghana have also not been singularly minded about their objectives as Malaysia, for example has been

The reasons are simple. Cultural differences are one such reason. The governments of Ghana have also not been singularly minded about their objectives as Malaysia, for example has been
kweks 10 years ago

Prof di wu fie asem!

Prof di wu fie asem!
Alaji bature 10 years ago

The citizens are timid with a lot of negativity,whiles the leaders selfish and greedy both in the civil and govts services

The citizens are timid with a lot of negativity,whiles the leaders selfish and greedy both in the civil and govts services
aboa a oni dua Nyame na opra ne ho 10 years ago

Did you hear this? The guy is not an NPP so listen carefully.

Did you hear this? The guy is not an NPP so listen carefully.
PAPSON 10 years ago

We do not even have enough to eat, Ghanaians are hungry. There must be a complete overhaul of the entire system. God bless Ghana.

We do not even have enough to eat, Ghanaians are hungry. There must be a complete overhaul of the entire system. God bless Ghana.
Ibn Batuta 10 years ago

Simple, foreign companies are making all the money and shipping it overseas without reinvesting it in Ghana. Unless we force these companies to reinvest in the local economy, our development will be very anemic.

Simple, foreign companies are making all the money and shipping it overseas without reinvesting it in Ghana. Unless we force these companies to reinvest in the local economy, our development will be very anemic.
Kosi Ametefe Dogbe 10 years ago

The reason is simple , we have a deficit in leadership in Ghana.
That kind of person who has a vision of where we need to be, selfless enough to sacrifice fiends, relationships and even family to get us there.
Someone who w ...
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The reason is simple , we have a deficit in leadership in Ghana.
That kind of person who has a vision of where we need to be, selfless enough to sacrifice fiends, relationships and even family to get us there.
Someone who will not gang up with others to steal from the motherland as Rawlings, Kufuor, Mahama and others have done

If you look at our leaders listed below, which one matches with the leaders in South Korea, Singapore and Malaysia?

Rawlings 19 years
Nkrumah 9 years
Kufuor. 8 years
Acheampong/Akuffo. 7 years
Mills/Mahama. 6 years
Loyola/Ankrah/Afrifa. 4 years
K A Busia. 2 years
Hilla Limann. 2 years

Look at the current president, it feels like he never was prepared when he came into the office and seems to believe that the Communication Office can explajin why 1+1 =3, when every kindergarten kid knows that 1+1=2

When mistakes are made, Ghanaians would be accepting for them to say we erred instead of fingerprinting previous regimes. For example it takes 18 months to build and operate a thermal plant, and we have had dumsor for 4 years and they are still blaming regimes as far back as the NRC.

Leadership, leadership '!!!!!!!!!

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CEIBS Prof. disappointed in Ghana’s economic dev’t

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