The Ghana we all want
At age 65 most workers in service would have honourably retired nurturing and guiding their young ones to thread on successful paths.
But it is sad to note that, this is not the story of my beloved Ghana which could well be described as the nation that has derailed from the tenets it was built on resulting in not being able to secure a better future for itself at 65.
The truth hurts, but I guess as Ghanaians this is one of the bitter pills we would have to swallow to get in touch with reality and reflect on our current situation.
Those at the helm of affairs will soon bow out and the upcoming youth will soon take reigns but currently what examples do we see and what kind of path are our current leaders treading on for the youth to emulate.
Need I say more that one of the fulcrums that hold a nation is education and at 65 what do we see? Right from the basic level, there is currently a struggle as teachers continue to lament that they are yet to get the new curriculum to impact knowledge into the upcoming generation through to the senior high school level where though free which is commendable but would not deny the fact that the program is struggling even with something as basic such as food supplies and money to effectively run our senior high schools.
A country that wants to make itself the centre for education in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) sub-region cannot seem to handle the conditions of service for its main stakeholders which are the lecturers well how do we expect to succeed and make the necessary difference in the sector? And though they have reluctantly suspended the strike pending negotiations with the government and back to the lecture halls, the students appear to be on tenterhooks as they do not know when the lecturers will strike again.
Ghana is our country and we expect the economy to boom so that the citizens can benefit but when the main drivers of the economy are facing such harsh conditions of service, what else have we to say or do?
For a 65-year-old nation that prides itself on being the first Sub-Saharan African country to gain independence and manage its affairs, its progress leaves much to be desired.
A wobbling economy that has been performing at its worst in recent times coupled with a disgruntled labour force in the country is much characterized by theories to the neglect of realities. What a people and a nation we are at 65!
This is not the beloved Ghana we the citizens want to see at this day and age as we expect to compete with the rest of the world.
The political class especially ought to reflect on themselves and bow their heads in shame for how they have wasted their opportunities to make Ghana a better place with their failure to sacrifice in the sense that whiles Ghana continues to struggle economically they continue to enjoy their lavish lifestyles to the detriment of millions of distraught citizens.
What happened to the teaching that a leader must learn to sacrifice? It boils down to how we groom leaders from our youthful stage especially whiles in school the essence of a leader must sacrifice the most must be instilled into these youthful leaders till they grow and apply it in future positions to be worth of emulation.
As a Ghanaian and likewise other Ghanaians who share the same thought we are not being pessimistic about the prospects of our dear nation but rather look forward to a Ghana we all want.
A Ghana we would all look back and be proud of, where systems put in place are properly scrutinized and devoid of corruption.
A Ghana with a strong economy, with care for its youth, labour force and retirees as well and one that is a real pride amongst its peers on the world stage.
A Ghana where certain health conditions would not indirectly mean death sentences because its health systems are inadequately responding to the demands, rather, pragmatic and functioning systems that give even the dying hope to survive.
Finally, a Ghana that would not throw its jealously guarded democracy and preserving of its 4th republican constitution to the dogs but will strive to keep through thick and thin to live by its name, the beacon of democracy to inspire other nations that despite all current struggles it still can be done.
Happy 65th Independence anniversary to all proud and truthful Ghanaians. We had independence 65 years ago but true independence is yet to be won and this time around it’s one we fight for against our kinsmen and women.
May God bless our homeland Ghana…
Source: The author, Stella Annan, is a writer with myactiveonline.com and has several years of experience in the media as a journalist. She is passionate about her country Ghana and desires the best for the nation she calls her home. You can contact her on Facebook.
