2057 – Centennial (100 years) celebration – “Achieve”

It is March 6, 2057, and Ghana celebrates its 100

years of independence. WOW!!! How many Ghanaians today will live to celebrate

this centennial? Someone born on March 6, 2007 will be 50 years old, and another

born this year, 2013 will be 46 years old. Majority of Ghana’s current political

leaders, corporate executives, doctors, university professors, lawyers, farmers

and citizens 40 years and older may not live to see this moment. However, it is

incumbent upon these legendary Ghanaians today to strive to leave a legacy for Ghana

to remember or recognize them for on March 6, 2057. There are a very few,

including the BIG SIX who are currently remembered when Ghana celebrates its

independence day. How do you want to be remembered or recognized on March 6,

2057? This is a question all current and aspiring Ghanaian politicians must

answer.

Ghana

is a country with an abundance of natural resources. Gold, timber, cocoa,

diamond, manganese and oil make up the major sources of foreign exchange in

Ghana. Ghana’s

population has increased by 20% since independence from 5 million to 25 million

people. The vast majority of the growth is occurring in the urban areas. Currently,

50% or more of the population of Ghana live in cities and their suburbs. The

reason for such growth is migration from the rural areas for better livelihood,

but has led to significant economic, security, health and environmental

problems because lack of foresight and leadership. The population of Ghana is

expected to reach between 35 million to 50 million by 2057.

Where has Ghana be in the past 50 plus years? Are we

satisfied with where we are today? Do we want to bequeath Ghana in its current

state to the future generation 50 years from today? Whether we like it or not,

Ghana’s independence will be 100 years in 2057. How do we get there? This

starts with a vision. What is Ghana’s vision for the next 50 years? Who

develops this vision?

What is a Vision? The Webster Dictionary defines a

vision as “an intelligent foresight, extra-ordinary foresight, or one with

extraordinary beauty”: Vision is a mystical experience of seeing as if with an

eye of a supernatural being. “ A vision is an aspirational description of what an

organization ( country) would like to achieve or accomplish in the mid-term or

long-term future. It is intended to serve as a clear guide for choosing current and

future courses of action.” The vision is

developed through a process that integrates broad ideas and the direction of

the country for its future. The country explores, in detail, possible options

for achieving the goals and objectives identified in the vision in a unified

and comprehensive manner.

Don’t Ghanaians have an intelligent foresight to see

the extraordinary beauty of Ghana and its people in 2057? I bet we do. However,

it will take extraordinary effort and hard work to achieve this beauty.

Ok! I call upon all stakeholders, including the three

arms of government, academic institutions, chieftaincy, religions bodies, civil

society groups, businesses, and all socio-economic groups under the umbrella of

the National Development Planning Commission and Regional Planning Agencies to

make it the highest national priority to develop a vision, and blueprint to

implement all policies, programs, and project for the next 50 years. This will

not be a party manifesto or platform. This will be a Ghana vision enshrined in

our laws, school curriculum, budget, national security, environment and

everyday lives.

I see Ghana ACHIEVE a true middle class industrialized

Country in 2057 with full employment and one of the highest GDP in the world.

All workers are paid living wages to cater for the needs of their families,

take regular vacations, and save for retirement. Anyone born after 2013 can

read and write, at least, at senior secondary school level, and is employable.

Hunger is a thing of the past as all children have 3 square meals a day. Ghana has

first class hospitals and trauma centers in every district and region. No one

dies from malaria, maternal mortality, and other environmental diseases. Every

Ghanaian has health insurance. Our elders are well taken care of at modern

retirement facilities or in their own homes.

Majority of Ghanaians own their homes or live in

affordable homes or apartments with reliable clean potable water supply and efficient

energy from renewable and alternative energy sources. Every home is connected to

the internet. All

residences are accessible by well drained paved roads lined with trees and lights.

Garbage and other household wastes are recycled, reused and reduced with modern

waste management operations. No waste is lying around on the streets and in

open spaces. Every community has parks and recreation facilities as well as a

library. Urban centers are great places to live and work.

Ghana has complete streets and first class roads

named after our forefathers, leaders, and people who sacrificed unselfishly to

make Ghana a great county. Ghana has one of the world’s most efficient

interconnected multi-modal transportation systems for walking, biking, transit,

rail, highways and airports. Every working adult can own a new car.

Ghana has some of the most competitive universities,

research centers and technical institutions that produce some of the best

leaders, entrepreneurs, physicians, as well as innovative math, science,

engineering and ICT professionals in the world. All children have access to

K-Secondary School education in ultra-modern facilities and teaching

technology.

Ghana is led by some of the world’s most visionary,

ethical, selfless, dedicated, servant-leaders, collaborative, and

representative politicians. The legislature, executive and judicial branches of

government are truly separate. All

Ghanaians, irrespective of where they live or work, participate in the

electoral dispensation by voting and contesting for any political position at

national, district or local level. All localities and municipalities are run by

people elected by the indigenes, and not appointed by the president.

The Ghanaian police are neighbors and friends who

keep our streets and neighborhoods safe at all times. Our justice system is one

of the best and most trusted in the world, and the media reporting is truly

independent and fair. Everyone pay taxes responsibly because they trust

government and believe in the system.

“In

2057-Centennial Anniversary, Ghana would have ACHIEVED a true middle class

economy that our founders envisioned 100 years ago on March 6, 1957”.

This is the vision I have for Ghana… as one people

with common destiny. It will take critical thinking, ethics and practical

solutions to set up performance goals that can be measured, managed and

implemented for Ghana to achieve a true middle class economy. This not the work

of the present government or future government to do, but the work of all

affected, interested and beneficiary Ghanaians. The Government may facilitate

the process, but the people must own the vision. Ghana should start planning

for the Centennial celebration with a Vision today.

As Lummi Chairman Tim Ballew, II,

said “We must manage our resources for the seventh generation of our people.”

Our unique heritage requires us to honor our past, present, and future

generations. Thus, in our heart and mind we have managed our resources in this

manner from time immemorial. As a tribal government, we have adopted the

critical goal that we must preserve, promote, and protect our Schelangen (“way

of life”). Lummi Nation is a Native American Tribe in Washington State, USA.

Kwadwo Fordjour, AICP, fordjourk@msn.com

Environmental and Community Development Foundation