Poverty is not God’s desire for man
I agree with the opinion attributed to one of our prominent chiefs, to the effect that the Volta Region is like a beautiful bride, who is waiting for the best suitor. In other words, she is not like the loyal housewife, whose husband remembers home only when he is hungry. So you are all welcome.
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I want to share with you my belief that poverty is not God’s desire for man. we need to remake our world; yes, we can!
I want to state clearly that I only intend to lay bare, matters that, in my opinion, have conspired against our development. I want to emphasise this because many of us no longer accept that there is anything like the truth any more. Everything is seen through selfish political lenses. I want to present the reality of the black man’s world, from Haiti to the Horn of Africa.
For those of you who don’t know, Haiti is in the Caribbean, and shares the island of Hispaniola with the Dominican Republic. Haiti is 95 per cent black and poor, but their neighbour, the Dominican Republic, 11 per cent black, is prosperous.
I also want to express my respect for the constitutional requirement that chiefs should not engage in partisan politics. But that does not preclude chiefs from commenting on issues that affect them and their subjects. Politicians come and go, but the chief remains the first port of call when their subjects suffer poverty and deprivation.
Development is important
Development is necessary if poverty must not remain the lot of the black man. So, traditional leadership cannot be an end in itself. To be relevant, chiefs must help to meet the development needs of their people.
In the same vein, politics is not an end in itself. The essence is development – development that provides the people with the basic necessities of shelter, food, water, health, education, electricity, roads, jobs and incomes, enhanced living standards, and ultimately, happiness.
Happiness, the essence
Happiness is the essence, and it is important for unity, peace, stability and for continuing development. So without guaranteeing the freedom to pursue happiness, no nation can develop to its full potential.
This is why the pursuit of happiness is recognised under the American Constitution as an inalienable right given to all human beings by the Creator, and which governments are formed to protect. This is also why the United Arab Emirates has established a Ministry of Happiness and appointed a Minister of Happiness. They desire to create the most peaceful nation on earth, and they see happiness as the key.
But our people are not happy
Poor people can’t be happy. People who lack jobs and basic amenities cannot be happy. The increase in suicide rate among 20-40 year olds evidences the fact that a lot of our people are not happy. The fact that our people prefer xenophobic isolation abroad, and are dying running away from Africa, shows that they are not happy at home. They perish in the deserts and in the seas trying to reach greener pastures.
I was on a flight to London recently with a very well-known Ghanaian businessman. When I asked him when he would return, he told me he had relocated to London, blaming unreliable social infrastructure and impunity on the part of officials.
So as leaders, our energies should be directed at wealth creation. I haven’t said poverty reduction. That’s negative and uninspiring. We should create wealth so that we can pull our people out of poverty, so that they can be happy, value their lives, and live in unity and peace, which are necessary conditions for continuing stability and development.
The African paradox
I consider poverty in Africa as a paradox because we are endowed with a lot of fertile land that is not cultivated. So we are, proverbially, hungry in the midst of plenty. We are thirsty, while we stand in the middle of the stream. We are being beaten by the rain, while we hold our umbrellas down. I agree with President John Mahama’s observation that Africa can become the bread basket of the world. But why are we not?
The general underdevelopment of Africa is a paradox because apart from our fertile lands, God has endowed us with a lot of natural resources – bauxite, diamonds, gold, iron ore and oil and gas, among many other resources. Obviously, poverty is not God’s desire for us.
I also consider unemployment in Africa a paradox because there is so much we have to do – there is shortage of housing, we don’t have enough school blocks, our gutters are choked, our roads are bad: Juapong – Ho; Juapong – Peki – Hohoe; Ho - Afao, etc.
We can do it
These problems affect each one of us, one way or another. So we need to unite and deal with them, so that we can continue to enjoy the peace and stability that have distinguished us. I believe we can do it. Yes, we can! But turning our fortunes around would require that we do things differently. More of the same approach will not produce different results.
We can do it if we develop a bold, compelling vision, based on our strengths. Mediocrity and snail-paced development will keep us backward. If we would require a decade to build our Eastern Corridor Road, then I’m afraid, we have a problem. Dubai’s vision is to be the first, the best or the biggest in everything. Now they have the first 7-star hotel, the tallest building and the busiest airport, in the world!
We can do it if we take our plans more seriously and show commitment to them. If we have to succeed, we must respect, at least, our own deadlines. At work, many of us don’t take our deadlines seriously. Our governments are not committed to their promises and deadlines for the completion of development projects.
We can do it if we give true support to private initiative and create conditions for all to participate in the development process. Let’s liberate the private sector, so that the economy can benefit from its full potential.
We can do it if we work hard. Absolute commitment to work is the most important factor in success. But many of our top officials are still in school pursuing degrees. Others travel unnecessarily, and so our productivity is low. Indeed, some of us don’t believe in hard work because we believe there are easy ways to get rich quickly.
We can do it if we eschew selfishness and greed, and show true love for our country, and for one another. Let us be happy to see our friends succeed. We need to understand that altruism is the best form of egoism – thus, selflessness is the best form of selfishness.
We can do it if we have empathy and show respect for one another, necessary conditions for peace and unity.
We can do it if we strengthen our institutions and the rule of law, and enforce accountability. Corrupt officials don’t achieve much on the job, and they are like termites at the woodwork - they eat at the very foundations of our future development.
Change in our beliefs and value system
We seem to be replacing bad traditional beliefs with equally bad, if not worse religious beliefs. A study was conducted that showed that the richest 25 countries are generally non-believers, while the poorest 20
countries, most of which are in Africa, are great believers.
Our new pastors predict only bad news. They preach mostly about the devil, bad spirits and evildoers. They make the majority of their congregation lose trust in their own abilities. Every misfortune is the work of the devil, and so they must seek help from the pastor. These beliefs and practices stifle initiative and discourage hard work.
It requires a change in our politics
By far the greatest obstacle to our development is our politics. Our politics presents a big moral hazard problem. And I share the various concerns expressed by Prof. Addei, Prof. Agyeman Badu Akosa and
Hon. Anyimadu. The latter opined recently that parliamentarians have let Ghanaians down. What these concerns suggest is that the fate of our democracy rests, ultimately, on us, the people.
Our constitution prescribes free and fair elections. But our politicians, both in government and in opposition are always thinking of ways and means of getting unfair advantage. This often leads to tension, and eventually, chaos. We have seen that happen in many African countries, the latest being Gabon. The tension in American politics now is caused by the doubts raised by Donald Trump.
Our constitution also enjoins our political actors to foster unity. But in their campaigns, our politicians try to exploit tribal differences. I believe we are more similar than dissimilar, and our differences are mostly political constructions.
Our constitution further enjoins the state to create opportunities for all. But some people believe that by virtue of belonging to a ruling party they deserve everything. So we see people appointed to positions for which they are not capable. If we have to develop to our fullest potential, we need to tap all the skills and experiences available, otherwise we will be short-changing ourselves.
African politicians suddenly become businessmen and they obstruct genuine businessmen, frustrate them or steal their ideas. Their methods stifle initiative and hurt the growth of the private sector. How can a Ghanaian Dangote emerge under these circumstances?
We need a genuine commitment to the private sector. That will reduce the burden on government, reduce the national debt and minimise corruption. Pastor Otabil was right in asking the state to stop monopolising and hijacking businesses. Indeed, the state and government officials must be facilitators.
My personal experiences
Unfortunately, politicians have become obstacles to private sector development. Many private businesses have suffered, but I can only use my personal experiences to illustrate the point. I returned to Ghana after completing my studies, without working one day, determined to contribute my quota to the development of my country. But my journey has been one of shattered dreams and aspirations:
In 2009, I brought in investors who were ready to pump USD1.5 billion into the development of the beach front of Accra, from the Arts Centre to the Castle, a project I called the Gold Coast City, which was to include World Trade Centre Accra. This project received the approval of relevant ministries led by the Ministry of Tourism, and was presented to Cabinet four different times. Cabinet’s infrastructure sub-committee sat on it four different times. This project, apart from bringing in foreign exchange, etc., would have created about 5,000 jobs during implementation alone.
In 2006, I brought to Ghana Shenzhen Energy Group from China. Against all odds I succeeded in helping them to establish Sunon Asogli Power. In 2013, following their written request (sent by the Chairman of Sunon Asogli), I led them to introduce their proposed coal project to the then Ministry of Energy and Petroleum. Today, the coal project is being pursued as a Ghana Government-Shenzhen Energy project, to my total exclusion of Asogli and me.
Meanwhile, Asogli has not been in production for five months, but is still owed millions of dollars.
General Election
The elections are around the corner. Our political behaviour so far fits the description offered by the 18th-century English poet, Alexander Pope, who opined that “Party-spirit is, at best, the madness of many, for the gain of a few”.
As citizens, our votes should also reflect our desires. It should reflect our oneness. Let us take tribalism out of our politics. We should all embrace fair play, and ensure that the processes leading up to the elections, the conduct of voting and the counting and collation of results are free, fair and transparent.
Our politicians must remember, while they pursue their gains that the top priorities of our citizens are peace, unity and development, development that brings basic necessities, jobs, incomes and enhanced living standards. To all our institutions that have a role to play in our elections, especially the Electoral Commission (EC) and the police, I advise fairness. The future of our country and of our democracy is in their hands.
I want to urge our chiefs to also play their role. The conduct of our chiefs is very important. While chiefs have the right to comment on matters of national concern and issues affecting their citizens and the nation at large, we must refrain from endorsing political parties or candidates. Such a conduct is unconstitutional and would not allow us to play our role in strengthening the unity of our country.
Let’s remember that God has given us only one Ghana, and he has given each one of us only a limited time to make a difference. Let’s use it properly, and aim to be remembered for the good things we did during our lifetimes.
THANK YOU. MAY GOD BLESS US ALL.
This is the original script of the speech delivered by Togbe Afede XIV, the Agbogbomefia of Asogli State during a courtesy call on him by the Opposition Leader of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo – October 28, 2016 at Asogli Palace, Ho. Togbe Afede XIV, is the current President-Elect of the National House of Chiefs.
