Independence only brought corruption, division – Deputy Minister

In the words of a Deputy Minister for Works and Housing, the attainment of Independence over 60 years ago by Ghana’s forebearers has to a large extent contributed to the divisive tendencies by Ghanaians and the high rates of corruption.

According to Eugene Boakye Antwi, this is usually exhibited in the political discourse not only among average Ghanaians but also political appointees.

He puts his words as follows; “…I say it sometimes that if there is anything that independence has done for this country and done it very well, it’s division and corruption, tribalism and corruption. That, we have mastered and you see through our politicking, you see it a lot…”

Mr Boakye Antwi made these statements while contributing to a panel discussion on Good Morning Ghana, Wednesday, April 29, 2020, on the sudden surge in innovations in Ghana as the country battles the global health crisis.

The minister argued that since Ghana got liberated some 63 years ago, the trend of over politicizing issues has taken the better part of the innovativeness of the ordinary Ghanaian, thus burying such ingenuity.

Adding that the divisions on tribal lines coupled with the canker of corruption must be allowed to pass with the coronavirus as it does not aid constructive contributions to government yet buries innovations.

Eugene Boakye Antwi urged politicians from the two main political factions – New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) - to take a critical look at sidelining divisive tendencies and the scoring of political points with critical issues.

“COVID-19 must pass with us making a giant leap towards the new order because we cannot continue to be doing the things that we’ve been doing over the last 63 years or so of independence, the same results will be achieved. That’s why I’m saying that politics everywhere I’ve been is for the fine mind and not the cacophony of noise that we’re used to and the political points scoring. In everything that we all do, the two main political parties is something we must all look at because at the end of the day we must support good courses, like the inventions,” he said.