I remember when Bill Clinton left the Oval Office. The year was 2000! For the western world, the beginning of a new millennium. Shortly after his departure, he was interviewed on his eight-year presidency. The name of the journalist who interviewed him has eluded me! But then, eleven years have come and gone since the said interview. So, please, do pardon me for displaying signs of amnesia. During the interview, the former US President was asked many questions. Of course, what most of us wanted to know was; how did he manage to transform America’s economy for the better? Remember, the Clinton/Gore administration inherited a country — which faced record deficits. Statistics have it that in 1992, 10 million Americans were unemployed. According to economists, America’s economy faced the prospect of a recession. In brief, the Clinton/Gore administration inherited an economy — which was performing below par. So, the question was posed. It was desperately in need of an answer to satisfy the curiously-minded!
Bill Clinton informed the journalist that prior to his presidency, it was politics as usual in Washington. He introduced common sense to politics! Fixing America’s half-bruised economy wasn’t going to be easy. The odds were in their disfavor! At least, so they seemed. However, the administration succeeded within eight years in government. The record budget deficits became surpluses. 22 million jobs were created. Core inflation was drastically reduced. The poverty rate in America plummeted. Under the Clinton/Gore administration, America registered the largest surplus ever. A surplus of $237 billion, to be precise. In addition, America saw her publicly held debt reduced by $363 billion. The largest pay down in her history! In fact, Clinton’s economic accomplishments are too many to list. I have purposely excluded many of these accomplishments due to time constraints!
Unarguably, the Clinton/Gore administration left America with a strong market-economy. A strong and resilient market-economy to be proud of! Having said this, the success story could’ve ended differently. Of course, it could’ve gone the opposite direction. This wasn’t meant to be! A long term economic plan — coupled to ambition and devotion — made all the difference! Luis Inacio Lula da Silva is a name — which should ring a bell. From 2003-2011, he served as the 35th President of Brazil. He is credited for Brazil’s economic success, and rightfully so! When Mr Luis da Silva assumed the presidency in 2003, his country was heavily indebted. The IMF and the World Bank were the ones calling the shots. The poverty rate in that country was at its all time high. Joblessness was forcing many into a life of crime. The country’s infrastructure was nothing to write home about! In short, the future of Brazil didn’t look promising at all. So, Mr Luis da Silva and his cabinet members went to work.
Under his astute leadership, several socio-economic programmes were successfully implemented. One of those programmes was the Growth Acceleration Programme — which had a budget of $353 billion. Its intention was to strengthen Brazil's infrastructure, consequently stimulate the private sector and create more jobs. It worked! This programme — together with the others — had a major impact on poverty alleviation. It’s estimated that between 2002 and 2010, 25 million Brazilians were lifted out of poverty. Today, Brazil has cleared all her debts. The country has the eighth-largest economy in the world. Thanks, of course, to Mr Luis da Silva’s common sense approach — Brazil's long term economic development plan — and the Brazilians all-hands-on-deck mentality. China is one of those countries, whose economic success mustn’t go unmentioned. All y’all know, China’s success didn’t happen overnight. It took a long time coming!
China’s economic development plan goes back to Chairman Mao. Believe it or not, he was the one who put this plan in motion. From the word go, Chairman Mao wanted China to become an economic super-power. So, the Chinese went to work. They developed a long term economic plan and stuck to it. The Chinese were determined to see their country on top! They labored hard and have succeeded! Today, China rules supreme. Their economic success speaks for itself. Ghana has been independent for 54 years. We have seen leaders come, and we’ve seen leaders go! As a people, we have betray to be betrayed. We have lied to be lied to. We have been given a country — which has great wealth in its possession. One would call us blessed, and indeed we are! Most naturally, our wealth should’ve reflected in our lives. It should’ve made our lives comfortable and easy. This hasn’t been the case!
Ghana’s economy is nothing to write home about. Our currency is hardly noticed. We are still being spoon-fed by the IMF and the World Bank. This has to stop. It’s a disgrace! This is a country — which could build state-of-the-art hospitals for its citizens. We could set up a social security service for the unemployed and our low income families. We could create employment for the masses. Upgrading our decrepit education system and building affordable houses shouldn’t be hard to do. An address system is feasible! Dear reader, in order for all of this to come in fruition, Ghana would need a long term economic development plan and commitment. A plan which would put Ghana where she belongs. On top! We the people must demand one from our governmental body, or we risk going nowhere with the gutter politics being practiced in this country. This is the 21st century, for crying out loud. Time to wake up! We have been sleepwalking for far too long. Ghana needs common sense to develop, not politics!
Welcome 2 the New age of Consciousness!
Source:
The Emperor
