In light of Ghana's rousing and joyful 50th Anniversary of Independence celebration in March and its increasingly prominent position in the global economy, I believe it's crucial for Ghana to keep looking inward to meet the country's needs. The choices Ghanaians make now—whether they stay in Ghana or continue to emigrate will make all the difference in the country's future.
Ghana is on the world's radar right now, with encouraging reports coming out about the country's progress all the time. Ghana has been recently featured in Time Magazine, BBC News, and in various international media outlets as one of the leading African countries in global investment. And yet, the lines outside of the U.S. Embassy in Osu are as long as ever, as Ghanaians sweat blood and tears to get to America's shores. As a former resident of Ghana and an American, I feel strongly that Ghanaians shouldn't bother running here—and many Ghanaians living in America would agree with me. I say to Ghanaians, consider staying home and committing to the possibilities of a new, emerging Ghana. Invest in each other and create a unique, community-based, economically strong country. America is too complicated, complex, and increasingly hostile toward immigrants, and it's only getting worse.
I can never understand the feeling of powerlessness of being unable to support one's family as a result of extreme poverty. However, people who are unified and gather all of their resources, both women and men, to lead the country, have a much better chance of undoing the corruption that enables such poverty to exist, which can be seen in the success of socialist Scandinavian governments. There are ways to work around corruption and power, but it takes a real commitment to one's own people and a model of inclusiveness—which is the one thing that most of these corrupt, male-dominated, third world governments can't seem to figure out.
While Ghana is relatively poor and struggling in terms of material possessions and sustenance, Ghana has something that America lacks, and that is community. People watch out for each other, and communities share the burden of life with one another. Ghanaians have a strong sense of self as a result. This type of communal living is nearly impossible to find in America anymore, but it's something to be cherished and never let go. Community instills confidence in children, a trust in the course of life, and a sense of being taken care of, even when life circumstances become difficult.
In America, destructive capitalist values are instilled in children at a very young age. We are told we must be perfect in school, have perfect grades, go to the best college, and go on to make lots of money and "be somebody." Many Americans grow up feeling obsessed with accomplishing more and more. Many have been raised to feel that until they achieve everything they've set out to do perfectly, they'll never be good enough. Americans are caught up in a cycle driven by fear, a feeling of being inadequate, and a strong sense of loneliness and separation. Families are split apart by the economic drive to work around the clock, and individuals face brutal competition in the workplace. As a result we have millions of overworked, isolated people, and this has created a ripple effect of misery that's hard to undo. Further, there is a constant sense of needless trivial drama in our communities as a consequence of how the society functions. In spite of having access to the best food, shelter, and water, Americans suffer from endless anxiety, stress, depression, and disease. Not to mention the rampant violence and crime that results from a bloodthirsty capitalist culture.
I once had a long talk with a Ghanaian woman who had moved to America a few years ago, leaving her children and husband behind in order to earn some money for them here. When she arrived, no one would help her—not even with simple directions, let alone a much needed meal on occasion. She ended up homeless for a period of time and became ill with a serious disease, and people still ignored her on the street. She had to piece her life back together in America totally alone. Things didn't get better for her until she met another Ghanaian who was willing to help her. That woman regrets her decision to move to America every day, and thinks about how much better off she would have been if she had simply stayed with her family in Ghana.
There are countless economic initiatives at work in Ghana, but real change begins with a shift in cultural attitudes. For starters, employ your women as your leaders. The way in which Ghanaian men continue to disempower women is Ghana's weakest link. Women in large numbers (i.e. women who are empowered in great numbers—not just an isolated few who are often forced to function like men to survive) are extremely resourceful and inclusive leaders—they're typically more egalitarian and compassionate, more fair in business dealings, highly skilled in managing finances and budgets, and are less likely to become corrupt. Give your women the power to lead your communities, all the way down to the village level. You're wasting your resources by tying women up with domestic chores when you could be giving them real jobs and fueling your economy. The richest countries in the world are those in which the women are given the most power. For example, Norway, which is number one on the United Nations gender index as the country that gives women the most power, also happens to be the richest country per capita in the world with the highest U. N. quality of life ranking for the last 5 straight years. This is not a coincidence.
Ghana, focus on your communities instead of constantly focusing on getting out of the country. If all Ghanaians put the same amount of energy into building their own villages instead of fleeing, think of the progress that would be made. There are ways to build from the grass roots up, and there are several international models to work from, like Argentina's incredible community-building effort after their economy collapsed in 2001. Take notes from these more progressive countries—don’t look to America and capitalism, which only keeps the divide between the rich and the poor large and painful. That's not what Ghana needs.
Ghanaians, you have the will to create a strong, working economy and an honest and demographically representative government. You have the power to lift your people up, no matter what your neighbor's class, gender, or educational background. Don’t leave, stick with it, and stay invested in each other. Don't worry about America. Make Ghana the place everyone flocks to—you’re already off to a good start.
Reference: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/6655497.stm
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