(An Appeal to the President of the Republic of
Ghana)
By
Honourable Dr Saka
April 30, 2012
The President of Ghana
Office of The President
P.O. Box 1627,
Osu Accra, Ghana
Excerpt: Ghana and Africa need thousands of Kwame Nkrumah today to take
us through the next stage of our economic independence. But the only way to
produce millions of Nkrumah is when the youth study and understand what he has
written.
Introduction
Barack
Obama (Accra, July 2009)
“We must
start from the simple premise that Africa’s future is up to Africans. ..We’ve
learned that it will not be giants
like Nkrumah and Kenyatta who will determine Africa’s future. Instead, it will
be you -- the men and women in Ghana’s parliament and the people you represent.
It will be the young people brimming with talent and energy and hope who can
claim the future that so many in previous generations never realized.”
Ghana, Africa’s Shining Star
Since
independence, Ghanaians on many occasions have made the nation and Africa in
general very proud. From political stability, economic growth, sports, science
and technological inventions, etc. Ghanaians have demonstrated their maturity
and their determination to excel in every sphere of human endeavour. This been
demonstrated from post-independence to the 21st century. However,
the positive side of this determination often escape the good books of history.
This is because our African culture is often disregarded by those who write the
history books. The African has been brainwashed to look down upon himself and
boycott his culture: his food, clothing, arts, beliefs, institutions, his
educational systems; all other products of human work and thought,and to a larger
extent, his own domestic products.
In
his book “Consciencism” (pg.63) Kwame Nkrumah thus wrote:
“Our history needs to be written as the
history of our society, not as the story of European adventures. African
society must be treated as enjoying its own integrity; its history must be a
mirror of that society, and the European contact must find its place in this
history only as an African Experience”.
Today, there is an abundance of
evidence available in Ghana, which proves beyond all reasonable doubt that all
kinds of inventions (just visit the KNUST in Kumasi), our ability to
re-engineer all kinds of products, including producing cars in this country is
no longer a dream but a reality. As Ossei Nkrumah wrote as far back in 2007,
many Ghanaians have demonstrated the ability to manufacture cars right here in
Ghana. This should be good news for
any serious nation determined to succeed by relying on indigenous technology to
advance its development. Many of these inventions have been well-documented in the
various departments at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology
(KNUST), including a number of polytechnics across the country.Yet,
after many years, our determination as a government, a country and a people, to
tap into these available capabilities, remains to be seen.
This
attitude is why Bob Marley sung:
“…in the abundance of water, the fool is thirsty”.
The Concept of Domestication
Many
years ago, Mr Dan Lartey of blessed memory, one of the political leaders of
Ghana, proposed the concept of “Domestication”
as the way forward, not only for Ghana, but for Africa as a whole.
“Domestication”, in its simplest terms was explained by Dan Lartey as follows:
“Produce what we use; use what we produce.”
Of
course, by this, he did not mean to suggest that Ghana shouldn’t import
anything at all. However, Mr Lartey, like Kwame Nkrumah understood very well
that an African nation like Ghana, which has over 70% of land that is fertile
for agriculture, cannot continue with the habit of her usual importation of
rice, chicken, tomato paste, fruit juice, sugar, cooking oil, shoes, tooth
pick, and many others; when as a matter of fact, with the correct political
mind-set, we as a nation can produce all the above items here in Ghana and export
them abroad.
To
emphasize this concept of domestication, even president Barack Obama when he visited
Ghana in July 2009, had this to say:
“I want to see Ghanaians not only self-sufficient in food, I
want to see you exporting food to other countries and earning money. You can do
that.” (Barack Obama, July 2009)
According to the United Nations Food and
Agriculture Organisation (UNFAO), Ghana spends more than 1.2 billion dollars
annually on rice imports, which rose from 121,000 metric tonnes in (1993) to
507,600 in (2002). As of 2010, this figure had tripled! Instead, Ghana's
domestic rice production has gradually declined so much in the past decade that
local rice farmers in the country now produce only 30% of the country's
requirement with the remaining two-thirds, worth over $2billion always
imported. In fact, the UNFAO, has repeatedly warned that Ghana’s over-reliance
on imported rice is becoming a serious concern.
To
understand the serious nature of this issue, first let’s take a look at a
snapshot of a few Ghana’s imports:
1. Vehicles other than railway (14.1%)
2. Mineral fuels, oils, distillation
products (13.8%)
3. Boilers, machinery, nuclear reactors,
etc. (12.4%)
4. Electrical and electronic equipment
(10%)
5. Cereals (11.1%)
6. Others….
Source: World
Trade Organization, International Trade Centre
A look at the above list reveals that, Ghana at the
present condition has the technology and enough resources that should enable us
completely abolish the importation of cereals especially rice, and begin the
efforts to gradually reduce the importation of vehicles, machinery, and many
more. Just take a trip to Accra and visit
the Apostle Dr Safo Kantanka. The man has invested so much of his resources in
the manufacturing of cars, tractors, various plants and machinery, TV sets,
household appliances and many more. Above all, Apostle Safo Kantanka has
invested so much in farming and schools! The man owns huge acres of farms
across the country Ghana. Of course there are many other Ghanaians who are
equally trying in their own small ways to contribute to the development of the
nation in this regard. Some of them are in Kumasi Suame Magazine. Also visit
the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology and you will be amazed
as to what you will discover at the various departments. At the Department of
Physics, Mechanical/Electrical Engineering, etc. many discoveries have been
made by our young students all of them, well-documented in their theses.
Students have successfully designed and assembled machines, cars; they have
designed and successfully assembled radio transmitting equipment. All what is
needed is the right sense of leadership, the commitment to support these
initiatives and Ghana could soon overtake South Africa. But what are we as a
nation waiting for? Do we still need another 50 years before we take the first
step? Ghana needs a policy shift. The time to act is now! Remember, if Ghana is
truly determined to succeed, then “We’re only an attitude away from success” (John
C. Maxwell).
If only we can take the first bold step, there will be huge
employment opportunities that could follow to the benefit of majority of our
unemployed youth. Just imagine if Apostle Safo’s tractors, cars, TVs,
generators, etc. were to be produced on a mass scale. His tractors could
benefit our farmers to boost their productivity. Taxes could be collected from
the industries that will emerge out of these efforts. The benefits could redeem
us from the sin of unqualified begging. But are we as usual waiting for him to
die before we queue up to sing praises upon him? May God forbid! What such
great men deserve cannot be a “befitting burial”. Mr President, please hear our
humble cry. Ghanaians, let us believe in ourselves and take action. This will
motivate the rest of us both home and abroad to develop a sense of
patriotism. There are many Africans abroad, with wonderful degrees,
qualifications and skills. Yet, as the time goes by, many of them are wasting
their lives abroad, doing all kinds of menial jobs: cleaning, washing
plates/dishes, sweeping the streets of Europe and America. This shouldn’t be the
destiny of the black man! All what these
people need is a little motivation to encourage them to come back home and help
build Africa.
Your Excellency, after 55yrs of our independence, isn’t it
possible for the nation Ghana to take the concept of ‘domestication’ very
serious? Isn’t it shocking that Ghana in spite of our vast agricultural land, and
though majority of the population’s main occupation is farming; yet the nation
cannot produce enough food to feed her people, to enable us abolish this annual
culture of rice and chicken importation? For how long must we continue to take
loans from the IMF and the World Bank and use this money to continue importing
rice and chicken? Mr President, have we forgotten so soon that many of us: MPs,
ministers, Council of State, applauded Obama just a few years ago? Let us remind
ourselves one more time:
“Aid is not an end in itself. The purpose of foreign
assistance must be creating the conditions where it’s no longer needed. I want
to see Ghanaians not only self-sufficient in food, I want to see you exporting
food to other countries and earning money. You can do that”. (Barack Obama Accra
July, 2009).
After three years, the question still remains: what measures have we as
a nation taken to ensure that Ghana is self-sufficient in food and also has the
capacity to export food to other countries? It is very sad that such measures
have always been in “the pipeline” but never materialized. Unfortunately the
MEDIA which ought to put pressure on the government to show commitment to these
initiatives has deliberately refused to put up this topic for national
discussion. Almost every day’s discussion on our radios and TVs have been
dominated by issues about personal affairs of politicians whiles serious issues
as raised above have often escaped the headlines. As we continue to look up to
the West to ‘solve all our problems for us’ with aid, for as long as they can
afford, let us also remember that Africa’s future is up to Africans. President Obama
in a few years ago made it clear that Aid
is not an end in itself. He expects to see Ghanaians not only self-sufficient
in food; he wants to see Ghana exporting food, cars, to other countries and
earning money. He knows we can do that. So what are we waiting for?
Mr President, I believe you will like to see Ghana become
industrialized in the next 45 years. This however cannot come by magic. For it
is said that a journey of 45 years begins with a step. We need to take certain
boldnew steps from the year 2012. We
cannot continue with the same old ways of doing things and expect to get a
different result. Our current most cherished democracy much move beyond holding
peaceful elections. We need to invest in our
people on the field of science and technology. We also need to believe in
ourselves. Yes, we can do it!
Henry Ford was right when he said:
“Whether
you think you can or you think you can’t – you are right”
Economic Policies: Ghana vs Others
Since independence, India and its people have
been committed to the task of promoting the spread of science and technology as
one of the most important elements of national development (credit: Science and
Technology Policy of
India, 2001). Also, in the Middle East is Iran. Although the Islamic
Republic of Iran has been under tough sanctions for the past 30years, the
country has been able to make many breakthroughs in the fields of science and
technology. Thanks to the concept of ‘domestication’. Today, with the commitment
from the government, almost everything in the country is made by Iranians.
Here in Ghana, we do not even believe in ourselves.
Almost every major project the government decides to undertake, it’s either
awarded to a Chinese firm, a Korean company, an American or a British
consultant somewhere. Your Excellency, I am not at all suggesting that the
nation should not consult other countries in areas where our technical
expertise are limited. However, the extent to which the local Ghanaian expert
has been neglected is my worry. The sad part of it is that, in most cases it is
the ordinary Ghanaian whose energy does the real work, while these consultants
give mere ‘guidance & technical advice’. Fifty five years ago, Ghana and
Malaysia, started from the same spot. But today, we all know where we are as a
country. Instead of us to manage the assets which our founding fathers left for
us, we have shamefully disposed them in the name of ‘privatization’.
Kwame Nkrumah as he wept, wrote in his book: “The
Struggle Continues” (pg.19):
“You
have seen with your own eyes the shameful disposal of Ghana’s assets. Over
hundred state corporations have been sold. Our state hotels are now foreign
owned. The 20-mile rubber plantation developed by the State Farms Corporation
has been handed over to the Firestone Rubber Company of America. The whole
economic situation is the negation of in independent economic policy and a
downward sell out to other American and foreign capitalist financial interests.”
Of course it wasn’t just after Nkrumah’s
overthrow that Ghana’s assets were handed over to foreign companies. Between
the third and fourth republic alone, over hundred state assets have been
disposed, all in the name of ‘privatization’. Isn’t it shameful that Ghana’s
gold and diamond are all foreign-owned? In spite of this, our economic woes are
still not over. The gradual collapse of the textile, poultry and
rice industries has seen more than 1,000,000 employees lose their jobs. Yet, we
spend millions of dollars every year
importing rice; creating jobs for other countries. The recent collapse of the
Ghana Airways, Ghana Telecom and other state institutions has seen more than
200,000 Ghanaians lose their jobs. As a result, mass unemployment, prostitution,
the rise in armed robbery, internet fraud (Sakawa), has become the order of the
day. Ghanaians who ought to be proud, with the determination to serve mother
Ghana and lead Africa, have rather become the most frustrated people on the
continent. Many Ghanaians were therefore forced to leave the country for
so-called ‘greener pastures’ in Libya, South Africa, Dubai, Europe and America. Just
visit the US and British embassies any day and you will see the queues
for yourself.
Why The Need For a Policy Shift?
Nkrumah held that, “The basis of colonialism is
economic, but the solution of the colonial problem lies in political action”. In
his book “Towards Colonial freedom”, Nkrumah states the following:
“It
is the aim of colonial governments to treat their colonies as producers of raw
materials,
and at the same time as the dumping-ground of the manufactured goods of foreign
industrialists.”
On
the political front, Nkrumah states:
“The essence of neo-colonialism is that
the State which is subject to it is, in theory, independent and has all the
trappings of international sovereignty. However, in reality its economic system
and thus its political policy is directed from outside.”(from the introduction,
“Neo-Colonialism” )
Therefore
in his letter to President Obama upon his arrival in Ghana, Prof Agyeman Badu
Akosa did not mince the following words:
“Evidence
also shows how the World Bank and International Monetary Fund provided the
advice and Technical Aid that halted and reversed work by the Nkrumah
Government that was to bring relief and benefit to ordinary Ghanaians. Many
have died through the resulting poverty and Ghana has not progressed much since
that time”.
Many Pan-Africanists, African scholars, have
repeatedly warned against the danger of Africa’s over-reliance on the IMF &
the World Bank as the sole institutions that hold the keys to Africa’s economic
woes. For many years, countries in Europe including Greece, Spain and Portugal
have continuously followed the IMF’s economic directives. Yet, what has been
the result?
Meanwhile David M. Walker, the former Comptroller
General of the United States (1999-2008), (the man in charge of auditing the
books of the US government) has said several times this year that the US is now
exactly where Greece was two years ago (2010) in terms of its debt crises.
Africans cannot continue to count on the West for aid. Ghana should make the
efforts and take her destiny into her own hands. The
West has spent over $1 trillion on ‘aid’ to Africa over the past five
decades. However, according to a Zambian scholar and former
Goldman Sachs banker Dambisa Moyo, author of the book 'Dead Aid', “No nation has
ever attained economic development by
aid."
After
50 years of following advice from the IMF, are we better off as a people?
Today, Nkrumah is weeping in his grave, as he reminds Africans of his message,
written down for our generation and the ones to come:
“To
allow a foreign country, especially one which is loaded with economic interests
in our continent, to tell us what political courses to follow, is indeed for us
to hand back our independence to the oppressor on a silver platter.” (Kwame
Nkrumah, “Consciencism” pg.102).
The Way Forward
Too
much time has been wasted. Nevertheless this is not time for blame games. It is
time for certain bold and necessary
steps to be taken today, for the benefit of the next generation.
1. First,
there is the need for a “National
Development Policy”. To do this, all the various political parties must
come together. The current polarization between the political parties in Ghana
must cease. Let us put the national interest of mother Ghana above that of any
political grouping. The political parties, led by the government of the day,
must together set up a body of local experts drawn from all the professional
institutions in the country: engineers, architects, real estate developers,
economists, businessmen and women, local experts from the various universities
etc. This committee must be tasked to develop a national development policy
program for a certain time frame, say 15 years. By so doing, it doesn't really
matter which political party is in power, the government of the day will always
have an agenda to fulfill. Nkrumah’s government had First and Second Five-Year
Development Plans which were successfully implemented. Unfortunately, the Seven
Year Development Plans which had been launched on 11thMarch 1964
did not see the light of the day. Thanks to the CIA and their puppet NLC.
2. Second,
the government must believe in the capabilities of the Ghanaian people. Where a
clear business opportunity arises in the country like the recent STX deal, the
government should offer the Ghanaian entrepreneurs the opportunity to tap into
these opportunities. Even in situations where our local expertise is limited, a
certain percentage of such contracts must be awarded to the local industries to
enable them compete and grow. If this is done it won’t be long, we’ll be able
to handle everything all by ourselves in the near future.
3. Ghanaian
inventors have been begging us as a nation-state to listen to their lonely
shrill cries but we have always treated them with mockery. Onua Amoah was
frustrated for lack of serious attention for his bio-gas project. Many Ghanaian
graduates as part of their various courses in the Kwame Nkrumah University of
Science & Technology and the polytechnics have successfully, made some
inventions and demonstrated their ability to re-engineer some products. All
these works are well-documented. Others in Kumasi Suame Magazine, and in Accra,
especially Apostle Dr Kwadwo Safo Kantanka have tried their best. It is time
for the government to support such people with real annual financial
commitments to enable them expand their works. This is just the beginning of
many more wonders to come from such people. I bet you, if these men could count
on the government to support them regularly, very soon Ghana could capture the
West African market.
4. The
concept of Domestication as proposed
by Mr Dan Lartey must be accepted as the best way to solve the food shortage
crises in the country. This concept, if well nurtured will enable us adequately
feed ourselves and wean ourselves of any foreign aid.
5. Finally,
Copies of all books written by Nkrumah especially “Neo-Colonialism”must
be supplied in large quantities to all secondary schools, the tertiary
institutions and the reading of such books may form part of their continuous
assessments especially in the secondary schools. Kwame Nkrumah spent his entire
life, studying about Africa’s political and economic challenges. He also
discovered and wrote down the best approach that must be followed to address
these challenges. Yet these books have been hidden from the Blackman for decades!
Throughout my 10years studies in Ghana, I never came across even a single copy
of books “written by Nkrumah” in our
libraries. Yet, every year the people of Ghana, most of them students celebrate
Nkrumah’s birthday as a national holiday. Mr, President, Ghana needs millions
of Kwame Nkrumah today, to take us through the next stage of our economic
independence. But the only way to produce them, is when the youth
study and understand what Nkrumah himself has written down; not what others have
written about him. The knowledge as set out by Nkrumah is vital for the future
of Ghana and Africa just as it was in the post-colonial era.
These measures are very necessary, if our dreams
and aspirations for Ghana and Africa in the next 45 years are to be met.
Conclusion
Mr President, in your recent trip to Canada
(2011), you advised African leaders to be bold and fight against their dependency
on aid. It is my hope that this bold statement will be followed by immediate action.
Ghana must show her determination to lead the continent as Africa’s shining
Star. The history books must always place Ghana where she truly belongs,
especially in the near future.
Long
live Ghana, Long live Africa,
Long
Live Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah.
Cc: Speaker of Ghana’s
Parliament.
The High Commissioner,
Ghana High Commission, UK.
The Ghana News Agency.
The Editor, Graphic Communication Group.
Notes:
* Dambisa
Moyo (2009) “Dead Aid: Why Aid is Not Working and How There is a Better Way for
Africa”. Farrar, Straus & Giroux: New York.
* Kwame
Nkrumah (1964) “Consciencism”. Panaf
Books: London
* Kwame
Nkrumah (1973) “The Struggle Continues”.
Panaf Books: London
* Kwame
Nkrumah (1945) “Towards Colonial Freedom”.
Panaf Books: London
* Kwame
Nkrumah (1965) “Neo-Colonialism: The Last
Stage of Imperialism”. Panaf Books: London
*
http://www.africabookcentre.com/acatalog/index.html?http%3A//www.africabookcentre.com/acatalog/Kwame_Nkrumah.html&CatalogBody
*
http://aada-african-car.blogspot.co.uk/2010/02/kantanka-obrempon-i-ii-ghanian-motors.html
*
http://www.america.gov/st/texttrans-english/2009/July/20090711110050abretnuh0.1079783.html&distid=ucs#ixzz1rIN0advD
*
http://www.modernghana.com/news/226748/1/prof-akosa-open-letter-to-obama.html
Honourable Dr Saka
The author is a regular
writer and a political analyst on African affairs, and a well-known social
commentator in Africa. He is the editor of “The Doctor’s Report”, your most reliable
source of critical
analysis on African affairs. Please visit his blog at:
http://honourablesaka.blogspot.co.uk/ He is a
strong Pan-Africanist, a youth activist and the founder of the “Leaders of
Tomorrow”, a transformational and inspirational group of possible future
leaders. He can be reached on Email: honourablesaka@yahoo.co.uk
