The North-South Development Divide in Ghana: Why It Could Lead to Ghana's Downfall

For a long time now, I have concentrated on writing articles that focus on Ghana's development as a whole, without looking too critically at the various factors and elements that contribute to Ghana's inability to accelerate development. Following my independent study research this past year on Ghana and Malaysia's economic development, I realized that specifics are just as important as generalities, and in the case of Ghana, the lack of development in Northern Ghana is one particular factor that greatly hinders Ghana's development efforts. I am Dagomba, hence from Northern Ghana, so I might be a bit biased when it comes to this topic. However, I'll attempt as much as I can to be objective in this article, and although I will talk about how the disregard for Northerners feeds under development, I'll also take it from a case-study point of view, looking at Malaysia, in order to explain why it is imperative that the Ghanaian government quit paying homage to words, and put actual action into motion.

One resists what one cannot understand. I believe that statement to be true, especially when it comes to interactions between Northerners and Southerners in Ghana. Like any minority-majority relationship, the minority tends to know more about the majority, than the majority ever does about the minority, generally-speaking. The ironic thing here is the fact population-wise, the North and the South in Ghana are pretty balanced. So what kind of minority-majority relationship am I talking about? Access to resources and development. Some people might say that Northerners are not entrepreneurial enough, or that the Southern communities of Ghana were able to develop on their own, so Northerners should be able to do so too IF they really want to. I seriously beg to differ. Any Ghanaian who knows anything about Ghana's history knows that Ghana's development was fed largely due to its experience with colonisation. Due to the fact that Ghana's southern states are located close to the Atlantic, the colonists had easier access to these communities and for a great length of time, did not even venture to the Northern parts of Ghana...hence the initial development base of Southern Ghana took place ages before the 'white man' finally set foot in Northern Ghana. Does this mean that Northern Ghana couldn't develop without the intervention of the West? No. Back in the day, Northern Ghana had strong kingdoms and systems of governance just like the strong Southern kingdoms did. The thing however (which many people seem to miss), is that once these kingdoms were given secondary importance in favor of a NATION comprising both the South AND North, then the development of both is the concern of the ENTIRE NATION aka Ghana.

There seems to be many misconceptions concerning who Northern Ghanaians are, what they are about etc. And honestly, I don't blame anyone. What I do not endorse however, is the fact that Ghanaians continually feed into these misconceptions. In many ways than one, Northerners are regarded as second citizens in Ghana. And I'm not just saying this for the sake of saying it. It's the truth, and I have experienced it personally since primary school. Many people would find it surprising that my English was actually good, or that I excelled in school, or that I was even a Northerner and Muslim....because I "don't look like a Northerner." Pray tell me what a Northerner looks like! Trust me, until we take a stand to get to know one another in Ghana, we're gonna remain in the canker of ignorance that feeds underdevelopment. The disregard for Northerners is however not something recent. Although the ancient Ghana tribes had their scuffles here and there, the level of contempt for one another that exists now (although it is less "in your face") did not exist. How did it come about? Colonization. The colonial masters fueled disagreements between the various ethnic groups in order to advance their objectives. The "divide and conquer" methods used all those years ago, are STILL serving their purpose.

If you live in the South of Ghana like I do, its pretty easy to forget about Northern Ghana. Heck, even a bus trip to Tamale takes approximately 10 hours, add the messed up roads and it might take eons. Why should EVERYONE be bothered about Northern Ghana's development? Because at the end of the day, when the World Bank, UN, IMF etc draw up those statistical tables and rank development in various countries, they won't be listing Northern and Southern Ghana separately. They'll be listing Ghana. This is also another reason why its important for the Northern regions to receive their share of the national cake. Our government receives aid and what-not taking into consideration the underdevelopment in these areas, yet they don't even so much as ensure that basic systems are in place?

Let's look at Malaysia. A lot of Ghanaians know that Malaysia and Ghana have similar economic and historic backgrounds, but the actual comparative study on the subject of why their development levels diverged so much is yet to be done (Hence my interest in conducting the study). Ghana gained independence from the British on March 6, 1957 while Malaysia gained independence from the same colonists in August of the same year. Ghana's per capita GDP (total income) was slightly higher than Malaysia's and most people expected Ghana to advance beyond Malaysia, mainly because Malaysia had racial tensions which were lacking in Ghana at the time. Now, well, Malaysia's total income is 13 times that of Ghana, Malaysia is a leading producer of palm oil (which it got from Ghana and other W/A countries in the 1960s), and living standards in Malaysia are generally higher than that of Ghana. One might wonder how this is so, and there are many reasons. The most interesting one to me (and the most relevant to this article) is the fact that right from the get-go, Malaysia worked at resolving its INTERNAL TENSIONS. Malaysia's population consisted mainly of its native Malays and expatriate nationals like the Indians and the Chinese. The first attempt of ensuring that there was racial harmony was the "Bargain of 1957" which created a dual system of leadership with the Malays handling government affairs and the expatriate nationals dealing with the economy. Soon enough however, it was necessary to re-examine this structure since the native Malays felt like they were not getting their share of the national cake (hence, they were generally poorer) There were riots in 1969 due to this discontent and subsequently, Malaysia came up with it's very first development policy, the New Economic Policy (NEP), which aimed at redistributing the national cake and reducing internal tensions.

By all means, it would seem like Malaysia's internal tensions were on a larger scale than Ghana's especially since theirs was across racial lines and not merely ethnic lines. What did Ghana do once it gained independence? Well for one, little or no attention was paid to ensuring that all Ghanaian citizens were on board for the new era. Additionally, Ghana went ahead to "sack" all its expatriate/foreign nationals, for fear that they would take over the economy (and from the news these days, it seems the government is leaning towards the same mistake it made 50-something years ago!).

You might say that these accounts are all good and dandy, but will probably not have any disastrous effect. Please, for heavens sake, don't be blind to whats going on in our own backyard! For one thing, the NPP and NDC use the Northern regions as their pawns whenever its election time, because they need the votes. Yet after they are in power, virtually no attention is paid to the very people who made it possible for them to win the election! The whole issue with the late Ya-Naa is another time-bomb that is waiting to set off. The old king was murdered in 2004 -- 5 years ago! And the culprits have not yet been found? And of course, this is another platform for campaigning when it comes to political parties. As much as it saddens me to say this, if ever Ghana was to have intense civil unrest, it would probably come through this issue. And trust me, if war ever breaks out in Ghana, we will be set back many years development-wise. So why not cut our losses, deal with the issues at hand, develop BOTH the north and south of Ghana, and advance the development that we've all been waiting for for ages?! I honestly cannot comprehend Ghanaian politicians, and what is even more surprising is the fact that the citizenry lets them get away with most of their nonsense. Any Northerner can campaign for development in Northern Ghana, but until our Southern counterparts join that campaign, we are going to be labeled as empty barrels who are just dissatisfied.

How many of you have actually been to any of the Northern regions? And I don't mean going to Paga, or Mole park or any of that. Aside from Tamale and most of the Northern regional capitals, the state of living that our fellow Ghanaians have to go through is simply saddening. And please, don't tell me that Northerners themselves are not prepared for development. Do you think so many Northern porter girls (Kayayo) would head all the way to Accra to go through the stress, disregard, sexual and physical abuse that they go through if they weren't trying to feed their families? If you think Northern Ghana has nothing to offer to Ghana, then you seriously know nothing about Ghana. Shea butter is one of Ghana's key exports. Where do you think it comes from? The beef kebabs you love munching on come from Northern herdsmen, and so much more! Sure, political parties might not think a Northerner fit enough for the Presidency, but in whatever capacities many Northerners find themselves, they work hard. Whether its as the Vice-president, a Minister (as in the case of the late Hawa Yakubu), or your watchman (Where would you be without the security he provides so you and your family might sleep at night?) . It's time we Ghanaians quit playing blind mice and deal with the issues in front of us. If we really and truly do want to advance development, this is something that needs to be addressed head on. Please feel free to leave comments etc, and for what its worth, try to get to know someone from Northern Ghana and re-examine your perceptions. Peace.

Psychological Effects of Colonization Still Present

The subject of colonization is one that many people would rather avoid. To some, its occurrence was a necessary evil; one that propelled the now-developed world to the heights it has achieved. To others, it's a thing apart in itself; something ancient that took place under a different set of circumstances and with a different generation of individuals. Others consider colonization and the accompanying slave trade as one of the worst injustices served to humanity. Whether colonization is openly acknowledged or not, there is no doubt that it has played, and continues to play, a huge part in the state of the global community. Although the physical manifestations of colonization, like the loss of natural and human resources are recognized and considered in the development discourse, the unseen psychological effects of colonization are not given the attention due. These unseen effects translate into sovereignty issues which eventually show up on the development platform, and are longer-lasting and more disastrous than they might seem.

Over the past two decades, economists have contemplated the inability of sub-Saharan to develop despite intensified efforts on both the local and global levels. A comparison is often made between the developing countries in sub-Saharan Africa and those in Asia. The poorest economies can be found in these two regions, but while many Asian developing economies like India and China have made great strides in advancing their development efforts, sub-Saharan Africa remains the world's poorest and least developed region to date. Many historians link Africa's current struggle for development to its experience of colonization. Although colonization took place in both Asia and Africa, the structure of colonization in these two regions was vastly different. While the inhabitants of the Asian colonies were, to some degree, allowed to take up leadership positions and essentially handle the affairs of their respective states, their African counterparts were not given that liberty. Instead, the traditional African governance structures and ethnic groupings were destroyed; their once revered chiefs were reduced to obsolete chess pieces and worse still, the notion that Africans and Blacks in general were an inferior group was drummed home to them in the most gruesome ways possible. Consequently, African nations were set on a spiral of inferiority complex that is in motion even today.

In many African nations, there is the general notion that "foreign or white is better." Many Africans will bend over backwards to help a foreigner, but find it hard to even grant audience to a fellow African who might have a new idea. At first glance this phenomenon might seem innocent and harmless. But in societies where communal values formed the foundation of their existence, the current contempt and disregard for contributions from fellow Africans holds grave significance. As the Pulitzer Award winner, writer and historian Will Durant noted, "A great civilization is not conquered from without until it has destroyed itself from within." The "divide and conquer" tactics used by the colonists during the "Scramble for Africa" in the 1800s is one that literally played with the minds of its victim countries and has left them confused ever since. The level of contempt that many Africans hold for their own people has increased to the point where it is even labeled the 'Pull Him Down' syndrome. Countries like Ghana are known for being very hospitable and welcoming to foreigners. But does this hospitality translate onto the local scene? Does it make Ghana's tourism industry one of the most dynamic? Does it in any way improve the development prospects of the nation? The answer to all these questions is no. Although development opportunities in African nations have increased over the course of time, the struggles continue because of this inferiority complex. African governments would rather grant contracts and make risky concessions to foreigners than give a citizen the opportunity to prove him or herself. The main argument given for this reluctance is the relative lack of experience on the part of the citizen. Even if this might be the case, how are individuals expected to garner any experience in their respective fields without being given a first chance?

There are many other scenarios in which this inferiority complex has played out. In 1998 then-U.S. President Bill Clinton visited Ghana for seven hours. He was scheduled to spend his visit in the capital city,Accra. I vividly remember the hurried efforts on the part of the government to ensure that Accra was clean and renovated enough to receive its distinguished visitor. This brought to question not only the priorities of the government, but also the view of Ghanaians as undeserving or unimportant enough to live in a clean environment. Instead, they had to wait for a foreigner to visit in order to enjoy a couple of hours of cleanliness. During Obama's presidential campaign, a Nigeria-based group known as Africans for Obama held a fund-raising gala in support of Obama and proceeded to offer the Obama campaign $630,000. In a continent where poverty and health issues abound, one might wonder why the members of the group did not channel their efforts to solve the many problems in their own country, but instead jumped at the opportunity to raise funds for Obama. In Oct. 2007, the Nobel Prize-winning DNA pioneer James Watson made controversial comments claiming that blacks are less intelligent than whites. Although his comments bring a lot to question, they do raise the question of whether Africa's struggle with development is as much a psychological one as a resource and technological struggle. In order for African and low-income countries to make headway in their development efforts, a change in mentality concerning their own people is necessary. As the famous Bob Marley says in his Uprising album track "Redemption Song," the emancipation of a people and nation starts with breaking the chains of mental slavery.

*This article was written by Jemila Abdulai and published in the Mount Holyoke News
**Photo Source: http://www.mentalslavery.com/archives/mental-slavery-t-shirts

Ghana's Election 08 - Choosing the Lesser Evil

You probably saw this one coming, I mean, as Ghanaian as I am, how could I not have anything to say about Sunday's presidential election. Either way you look at it, there just might be a drastic turn in Ghana's history come December 7,2008. The only thing is, I am not in the least bit confident in any result that this election might come to. All I can hope is that we don't accelerate the process of ruining what strides we have made so far...Initially, I would have said, "Vote Wisely" but now all I can say is "Try to choose the lesser of the evils."

I realize I am very critical of Ghana's development efforts, and it has nothing to do with being brainwashed by living in the West or anything of the sort. It is simply because Ghana has so much potential, yet continuously squanders it! (Now I understand why they say that our parents and teachers tend to be harder on us because they see the potential we have) And I dare not even go in depth about that one otherwise this post will never end... Who am I kidding, some things have to be said regardless.

First off, I will give Ghana her due. We have had a relatively stable democracy over the past decade or so. But times have changed, the world economy is in a recession, we have just discovered oil, political pundits are ever looking for something to debate about, the list is endless. I have personally never voted in a Ghanaian election. First because I was not "legally of age" (as far as I am concerned I am as old at heart as it gets) and secondly because I am currently abroad and there isn't a system in place for citizens abroad to vote ...or if there is, then the government and media have certainly been very tight-lipped about it.

Even if I were registered to vote, I wouldn't know who to vote for. Sure, there is a whole list of candidates to choose from, but the point of the matter is none of them inspire any trust in me. Why? Unfulfilled promises. Ghana (and practically every African nation for that matter) has a history of those. "I will create x amount of jobs, I will build x amount of schools, I will solve the water crisis." Excuse me, but it is one thing to spew out words, and another thing to act...and it seems the implementation trap always succeeds in tripping us up.

Take the water crisis for instance. Ghana has 2 main seasons, rainy and dry. The rainy season is generally from April to October and the dry season from November to March. Two extreme conditions with two extreme results. In the rainy season, there is immense flooding all over the country; even in the relatively dry Northern region as was seen last year. During the dry season, the amount of water shortage is so acute that even the Hydroelectric Dam at Akosombo which supplies all of Ghana's power does not have enough water to turn its turbines and produce electricity. I remember vividly that in my final year in high school and right before we had to write our final exams, the water crisis was so severe that ALL high schools closed down and students were sent back home. All except my high school.The implications of the water situation on Ghana's development cannot and should not be underestimated. It does not only affect the sanitation and health sectors but basically every area of life in Ghana (Water is Life is not an exaggeration.)

For basically every election so far, the presidential candidates have promised to work on the water and power crises in Ghana. To date, nothing substantial has been done. Sure, many water facilities - pipes etc have been put in place, but what is the use of the pipe when the water is not being harnessed. I would think that the obvious solution to this problem would be to come up with a system by which the water (floods) from the rainy season could be stored and conserved for the dry season. That will not only help reduce the rate of loss of life and property during floods, but will go a long way towards helping ensure that citizens have the basic necessities of life. But I guess this solution is not so obvious to our politicians. Besides, Ghana is still running on the same electricity generation facility set up by Ghana's first President Kwame Nkrumah, and no extreme renovation works have been done on that either.

Now its 2008 and although the outgoing government has made great strides in many areas, it has also committed so many wrongs. On the top of the list, the privatization of the Ghana Water Company. Why in heavens name would you choose to turn over such a vital sector to foreigners (who are mainly profit-seeking), when you have not exhausted attempts at managing your system more efficiently? - Honestly, I don't expect an answer to that question.

This year especially, I am wary about the political climate in Ghana. Ghana's civil society has developed over the years and it is more willing to challenge government's actions. Add a bit of oil and you might have an entire inferno blazing across the country. The discovery of oil in Ghana holds much promise, but it could also spell the country's doom. I have never actually trusted the words of Ghanaian presidential aspirants, and I am even less inclined to do so now with the temptation of money that the oil brings. If ever there were a time when Ghanaians should be afraid, I would say the time is now.

Oil and Water aside, let's talk about social interaction. Every nation has its marginalized populations, and Ghana is no exception. The Northern part of Ghana has been neglected for too long, and continues to be neglected. But instead of the government working at helping solve problems, they play the 3 Northern regions as they would chess pieces. Honestly, the next time I hear something along the lines of "Vote for us because we will make a Northerner Vice-President", I will most likely go over the edge. I am Northerner, and I KNOW and BELIEVE that I am as competent (if not more) as any Southerner to handle the affairs of the country if it came down to it. One shouldn't be surprised that there is unrest in these regions of the country. Neglecting people's basic necessities is bound to have an effect.

There are many more areas where governments have had a chance to inspire confidence in the Ghanaian populace but have failed tremendously, and I do not mean to project the failings of past governments on the incoming government (whoever they may be). But my question is this. If you have an endless portfolio of instances where Ghanaian leaders have not fulfilled their promises, should it be so hard for you as an aspiring President to give case studies and propose solutions to them?? Obviously, the answer is no, but the manner in which presidential aspirants run their campaigns would make you think they were dealing with theories instead of reality. As has been stated by many media outlets, the Presidential Debates resulted in no substantial ideas on how these aspiring Presidents intend to handle the affairs of the country. Here's a piece of advice from a young Ghanaian: Take a page from Obama's book, don't make unrealistic promises.

Any presidential aspirant who can come up with a detailed and realistic proposal on how to solve either of these situations, would have my vote...if I were voting. For now, all I can say to those of you who are voting is not to get pulled in by empty promises and instead choose the lesser of the evils. If in a couple of years, the incoming government puts my words to shame, I would be more than delighted to retract this statement. Until then...well, until then...

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Photo Source: http://www.fosda.net/?q=node/201

The Obama Effect and the African Illusion

This article was published in the Oct 30, 2008 edition of the Mount Holyoke News.

Many years from now people will talk about the “Obama Effect.”Generations will talk about the revolutionary movement ignited by one man’s fervent belief in people’s ability to come together to effect positive change. Should he win the election, he will be known as the first black President of the United States. Should fate decide to swing the pendulum in the other direction, he will go down as the first black democratic Presidential candidate in the United States. That is all good and dandy. What I do not want him to be known as is the knight in shining armor who rode past Africa when he became president.

True, Obama might not be caught dead wearing shining armor, and if he did, many Africans would probably stare at him in bemusement rather than despair. However, within the context of him being the savior many Africans have been awaiting for centuries, the probability of a major upset is certainly high. A BBC article dated Sept. 1 reported the seizure of about $630,000 raised at a gala by a Nigeria-based support group that calls itself ‘Africans for Obama.’ According to the leader of the group, Mrs. Ndi Okereke-Onyiuke - who also happens to be the chairman of the Nigerian Stock Exchange – there had been a miscommunication in media reports that the group had offered the money to the Obama campaign. Incidentally, the money was to be spent on adverts encouraging Nigerians based in the United States to vote for Obama. The Obama campaign declined the group’s generous offer and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in Nigeria has reported that it will return the money to the people who attended the gala.

I find it both amusing and shameful that many Africans can come together to raise this much money for a U.S. Presidential candidate, but readily claim to have no money when it comes to contributing to affairs in their respective countries. It is true that Obama has a Kenyan father and therefore has indisputable ties to Africa. It is also true that he is a black man and probably has experiences similar to many Africans or knows people who do. But does this mean that he is going to grind teeth and nail to ensure that Africa’s problems are solved during his presidency? The manner in which many Africans regard the U.S. Presidential candidate would have you believe so.

Don’t get me wrong, I have absolutely nothing against Obama. I am just as inspired by him as countless people across the globe are. The only difference here is while Obama’s allegiance lies with America, mine lies with my home continent Africa. As such I keep in mind that even if Obama does become the next U.S. President, I might still have to go from door to door in search of water when I return to Ghana. The problems that plague my continent will not disappear instantaneously at the magic words “Obama is President.”

Obama has outlined some plans for dealing with the African continent should he assume the role of President. Some of these include stopping the genocide in Darfur, fighting poverty and expanding prosperity. As is mentioned on the official website of his campaign, Obama has worked conscientiously on many challenges facing African countries. From demanding honesty on the HIV/AIDS situation in South Africa to helping develop a coherent stabilization policy in Somalia, Obama has shown that he is concerned about the African continent. But has his concern and admirable commitment to Africa changed the reality of the average Zimbabwean?

As my friend and fellow activist Omar Dibba puts it, “Africans have currently forgotten their own problems. Despite all relations to Africa, Obama is not going to be the President of Africa and will not develop Africa. There are priorities for the American people and their economy.” In addition, many Africans seem to forget that although Obama might be the head, there are still equally powerful individuals in government who will advise and criticize him and ultimately influence his decisions on foreign affairs. This is not to say that there is nothing to be learnt from the Obama effect. If nothing at all, Obama’s success so far should be an indication of the possibilities and inherent power that abound to everyone, regardless of origin. In order to avoid being slapped in the face with our respective realities, it is important that Africans continue to strive for their own solutions instead of awaiting Sir Obama. Until wishes become horses and beggars begin to ride, the resolution of Africa’s problems will remain the key responsibility of Africans themselves.

A New Congress of Berlin?

The following link will take you to a video conversation between Dr. Gates and Wole Soyinka.


http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1859729964/bclid1859720781/bctid1868972004

The Global Financial Crisis: Africa's Blessing In Disguise

So in my economic development seminar, we talk about a lot of things. One of the things we discussed last week was the effect of the financial crisis on African countries. Many of us agreed it might end up doing more harm to African countries and essentially worsen their already bad economic situations. But after some thought I decided to play devil's advocate. What if I said that the global financial crisis might be bad for the rest of the world, but could essentially be a good thing for many African countries? Would you consider me plain ignorant, naive or maybe, an extremist who knows nothing about what she's saying? Probably. I would too. But before you start throwing out the accusations, take a minute to consider a couple of things.

Trade:
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It is expected that the level of global trade will go down over the next couple of months due to the relative lack of capital in the global system and as a result, reduced levels of production.

Argument:
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This will be bad for many African (and developing) nations because they get most of their foreign capital through trade.

My Response:
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Not necessarily. African countries might have to reduce their level of imports, but this might actually be a good thing:

-Firstly, more African countries could concentrate on the consumption of local goods over foreign products (Eg. Ghana produces local rice, however due to the importation of rice from the US, US rice is preferred over local rice...even to the point where local rice is sometimes frowned upon). As a result, the infant industries (developing industries - mainly manufacturing) in these countries could (finally) be given a chance to grow.

-Secondly, the terms of trade offered to many African countries by developed countries are usually not that favorable in the first place. Lower trade with developed countries could actually spare many African countries from these unfavorable terms and help them cut their losses in the long term.

-Thirdly, since trade between developed countries and developing countries might be stifled due to the crisis, this might actually be a grand opportunity for African nations to give regional trading another go. Many of my course mates mentioned that attempts at regional trade in Africa have proved futile in the past....but maybe, its a near catastrophe like the financial crisis that is going to help us actually get it right this time around.

-Fourthly, trade in the general scheme of things, also involves the importation of the foreign country's economic climate to some extent. This is reflective in the influence of prices of imported goods on the domestic market etc. Which African country wants to import the negative effects of the financial crisis to their already unstable economies???


Foreign Aid:
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Argument:
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Historically, the amount of foreign aid given out reduces whenever there is an economic downturn. This is another expected result of the financial crisis. Given the spate of wars, famine and other issues on the African continent, lower foreign aid cannot possibly be a good thing.


My Response:
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It is true that a lot of nations are going to suffer from the lowered foreign aid they receive from developed countries. But then again, its about time - that we reduced the amount of foreign aid we receive, I mean. Not the suffering.

- First, most of the foreign aid that African countries receive from developed countries come with conditions -- conditions that ultimately benefit developed countries in the long-run and drive African countries into more debt. It also makes African countries more dependent on the developed world. A break in this parasitic chain might actually be what many African countries need to get on their feet. Don't get me wrong, I know the initial effect will be mind-blowing and a lot of suffering will happen...But where much is given, much is expected in return. By not getting more foreign aid (and its attendant conditions) we might actually realize that we don't have to be dependent on these countries and therefore ensure that we come up with suggestions and policies that are beneficial to our respective countries and not necessarily out of compromise for the lending countries.

- Second, the less foreign aid we receive, the lower the amount of debt we have to pay back. Simple as that.

- Third, a crunch in our monetary reserves might actually make us WAKE UP! African economies do have the capital to do what they have to....they only choose not to...or are forced not to (eg. through conditions given with foreign aid) With the relatively shallow sea of money to swim in, we would be inclined to allocate what money we do have efficiently....meaning, in the long run some people who never got the chance to enjoy basic human rights might actually get to. Of course, this is dependent on whether our governments decide to take a more socialistic approach to handling the situation, instead of going with the overplayed capitalistic notion of "the market will sort itself out". Most African countries have historically socialist-type foundations --and by socialist I mean, the focus is on the entire society and not on the individual -- so this shouldn't be a problem.



I know that many of my responses sound too simple, and do not take a lot of things into consideration, but I guess what I am getting at hear above anything else is that African nations should not sit down and accept out rightly that the financial crisis is a roadblock to us. We need to explore our options and BRAINSTORM BRAINSTORM BRAINSTORM.

Besides, why should we have to take on economic systems that bring us more problems than solutions, and which has ultimately succeeded in baffling and wrecking havoc in the very countries that suggest that we adopt their policies and strategies? (No wonder Goliath turned out to be weaker than he thought he was)

If we do nothing within the next couple of years with regards to our respective economies, we should at least aim for a CHANGE IN IDEOLOGY. Its been way overdue, and maybe, this financial crisis is actually the wake up call we need.

That said, our LEADERS need to become what their titles suggest: LEADERS. Without leaders who are willing to put their personal interests aside and work towards protecting and developing their societies, we are going nowhere. Seriously. So, as much as possible, in any way you can, try to sensitize the leaders in your communities to think OUTSIDE THE BOX! Many of the most significant advancements in thought, invention, systems etc have been born out of "calamities".


Okay, so now I'm done with my little spiel. I also came across an article in the Economist which also looks at the effect of the crisis in Africa from a similar angle. Check it out at: http://www.economist.com/displaystory.cfm?story_id=12376610 .Feel to agree, disagree, suggest alternatives etc....but constructive comments and criticism only. Thanks.

*Photo source: http://lcrcollection-shop.com/repositorioarchivo/?S=A

Education: An Essential Element in Youth Leadership

“There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy.” These words by William Shakespeare meant little to me as I sat on the plane on my way to the United States in September 2005. But a good two and a half years later, and with a substantial number of life-changing experiences on hand, these words have formed the core of what has become my educational and life experience.

I have always been an individual with a wide variety of interests and as such I prefer to operate in an educational setup that allows me the flexibility to explore and brainstorm. Fortunately or unfortunately, I had to leave the shores of my homeland in order to find such an academic setup. Ghana has one of the best educational systems in Africa and has paved the way for young Africans to realize their dreams and contribute substantially to society. The unfortunate aspect of this ‘success’ story is the fact that the country is operating an educational system that was put in place decades ago. Consequently, despite the fact that there are educational facilities in place, many youth complete their secondary and tertiary education without the skills, knowledge or exposure necessary to take up positions in society as leaders and agents of change. The simple explanation for this is the fact that the educational system in Ghana does not meet the current needs of the Ghanaian society.

Mount Holyoke College is a private women’s liberal arts college in the United States. It is also a turning point in my life, perceptions, understanding of global issues, and most especially in my comprehension of the power of choice. In many African societies there is the widespread idea that only ‘elders in society’ can take important decisions or make substantial contributions. This notion, as well as many other misperceived ideologies, contributes to our inability to effect sustainable developmental change on our continent. We would rather listen to and implement the directives of foreigners than listen to what the people and youth – who coincidentally form a greater percentage of our respective populations – have to say. There have been past efforts aimed at introducing liberal arts components such as critical thinking into the educational systems of African countries. But these efforts have been thwarted with the excuse that we are imbibing western culture and values, and that providing a platform for young people to question authority is akin to providing youth with the tools to stage a rebellion. Unless we take a strong stand to involve young people and set up institutions that encourage critical-thinking among youth, we will remain in the canker of our current situations.

Is it possible to think outside the box and operate outside of what has been the norm in society for centuries? The answer to that question rests in our own backyard. In March 2002, Ghana’s first liberal arts-based university started operation with a pioneer class of 30 students on a small campus in Accra. What started as a mere dream of Patrick Awuah - a US-based Ghanaian citizen and former Microsoft employee – is a shining, real-life example today of the possibilities available to us as Africans and the power of young people in society. Ashesi University has made great strides in advancing education in Ghana and has formed strong and important partnerships with other educational institutions and agencies across the globe. Some members of Ashesi’s first graduating class went on to set up Dream Oval - a computer software development firm that is making important contributions to the information technology sector in Ghana.

The Ashesi example is one of many and has received international recognition. It is my fervent desire that there will be a replication of the Ashesi experience not only in Ghana, but across the African continent and in the Diaspora. In order for this to happen however, we need to realize four things as young leaders. First we need to realize that we do have the power to contribute to and change our current situations. We are the masters of our own destinies. Secondly, we ought to remember that we always have a choice regardless of obstructions. It is our responsibility as young leaders to inform ourselves and examine our situations so as not to be tricked into thinking that we have no choice in a matter. Deciding not to choose is choosing. Thirdly, we need to work towards being the change we want to see. Finally and most importantly, no contribution is too small. Strive at being the best you can be and doing the best you can do. So long as there are young people working towards a positive goal, the hope of Africa and the Diaspora continues to burn strong.

*This article was written by Jemila Abdulai and is an excerpt of the YOWLI 2008 Magazine.