Africa must unite!

The late President Kwame Nkrumah saw the strategic vision behind African’s unity and the benefits for its people. Great idea. However the late President Kwame Nkrumah failed Ghana by not allowing this vision, and mission to materialise before benchmark Ghana to be the beacon for other African nations to emulate. Nkrumah was somehow rather busy giving Ghana’s rich resource to any country that was trying to be independent. In so doing Kwame Nkrumah failed Ghana miserably and the rest of African with this huge expectation of freedom and liberty.

I quote an article from ghanaweb 27/5/13 which reported that President Mahama warned African leaders to wean itself from Western donors during golden jubilee anniversary summit which he is partaking in some bilateral and consultative meetings. Is it not shameful that Africans are still begging for loans and aids from the developed countries.


Why? What is the root problem of the begging is going on after 56yrs of so-called independence? Why did we break off in the first place? Ghana was feeling too grown up when she was just crawling but wanted to run. Was the timing right? Yet some African leaders are not ashamed to be begging for more funds. Come on!





“AU must wean itself from Western donors” - Mahama

•





Our President suggested a total overhaul of the various institutions within the African Union as a step toward ensuring greater accountability and also weaning the Union off Western donor support.

He offered the suggestion at a meeting by African heads of States at the ongoing AU summit to consider ways of funding the Union.





I support this challenge our President has given other African leaders to rather rely on their own funding structures instead depend on outside funding for its operations.


For the reason, I am challenging our current President to set an example for Africa and allow Ghana be the beacon of the rest of Africa.

We need to see more significant changes right from our primary schools to be maintained annually, children are educated in purposeful classrooms in a comprehensive educational system. Ministry of Education needs to be decentralised and local leaders in the community is given a say to air their views about progress their towns and villages. Our Mayors should be respected, assembly members and community leaders should be given objectives, set timescales for projects and more over be paid enough to think of the community developmental issues. The focus working together for a common goal should be the norm.


Every child in Africa, more so Ghana deserves to have a head start in life. This begins with free nursery education at 3 yrs to at least secondary school level. Strategies to address free education must be taken very seriously. Parents are already struggling on their meagre wages and demands of funeral expenses they sacrifice every month. This is why in the 21st century some children are still being educated under trees. This is a disgraceful advancement, which really violates The World Health Organisation child protection policies under the category of neglect. This means vulnerable children are being deliberately being exposed by Ghana’s education system to disasters and natural elements for example, pneumonia and colds etc.


In the developed world all basic nursery education is completely free up to secondary school level. We pay our taxes and that covers for the tuitions fees. Plus parents also get child benefits to help them for feeding and clothing their children.


In contrast in poor country like Ghana where people pay taxes yet the Government does not provide the basic education we take for granted in the West.

How could we expect the general public to be truthful and perform well at work knowing that their taxes will not even pay for their children’s school fees? Where are we going wrong as a nation to avoid the corruption that is destroying our fabric our country?


On another the issue of transportation is also a major problem. However a visit to a country like Prague exposes our failing to challenges our transport system in Ghana. Their transport system is so efficient but cost effective. How can’t we buy Prague their old Tram and seek their help through our embassy there. The whole country is running smoothly and business is very brisk. Perhaps Ghana may consider form an alliance with Prague to emulate their transport system etc. The country is simple clean its people calm and friendly.


There are many Ghanaians living in Diaspora who are willing to help with the transformation and the government would need to embrace them all to come and share the skills, knowledge and experiences.


The President will need to consider inviting those willing to help to come over. Ghanaians are making a difference in other countries when we see in international media. Inviting fellow Ghanaians to come over would not only be a smart move but also the catalyst for our own economic stability.