The Akufo-Addo way: A man in a hurry
Strange as it sounds, it seems to me that both opponents of President Akufo-Addo’s record large team and the President have something basic in common: their anxiety to get Ghana back on its feet.
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Thus to me their viewpoints are two sides of the same coin, albeit obviously looking at the issue from different perspectives.
On March 15 the President submitted to Parliament the names of 54 nominees for approval as ministers of state and deputy ministers, bringing the total of his team to an unprecedented 110. Not surprisingly, this drastic departure from the typical has generated a controversy.
The critics believe that the team of 110 ministers and deputies will be a huge burden on the state, and on taxpayers.
Despite the vehement disapproval from some quarters, the President believes that his approach, what I term “the Akufo-Addo way”, is the needed strategy to solve Ghana’s problems.
Besides, as he told the nation, memorably, in his State of the Nation Address to Parliament on February 21, he is in a hurry to achieve results.
He explained: “I have heard it said that I am behaving like a man in a hurry. Mr. Speaker, I am, indeed, in a hurry, I am in a great hurry.
“The times in which we live demand that we all be in a hurry to deal with the problems we face.”
One can appreciate the President’s fervour to turn things around quickly in response to the mega expression of confidence given him and the New Patriotic Party by their victory in the general election on December 7, last year.
Nevertheless, the criticisms too are understandable. The scepticism is a reflection of the astounding instances of corruption, losses and misapplication of state funds that Ghana’s recent history has witnessed. Successive reports of the Auditor-General provide some of the evidence.
But should this pessimistic outlook stifle aspirations and prevent innovation?
I’m particularly perplexed when opposers compare the 110 and Ghana’s population, estimated to be 27 million, with other countries which have bigger populations, but not many ministers.
If their small teams work for them, fine, but are Ghana’s problems the same as theirs? If their populations are huge but they have fewer ministers, isn’t it probably because those countries are not battling the same problems as Ghana?
Also, it shouldn’t be forgotten that in most of those countries cited their economy is not in such dire straits. Furthermore, their systems actually work. Their challenges may be different, not needing a dramatic change.
Besides, what is the literacy rate in those countries? Do they build houses without making provision for toilets? Are their gutters constructed with no covers? Are ‘galamsey’ (illegal) miners depriving whole communities there of their drinking water? Are they confronted with the impunity of Fulani herdsmen too?
What I find striking is that so far I have not heard comments that Team Akufo-Addo nominations are unqualified people.
As seems to be the case, if it is agreed that Team Akufo-Addo has been well selected, why can’t people trust that in the same way, the President has put in thought into how the work is to be done – and the number of people required?
If Ghanaians wanted a President who wouldn’t have a new, creative approach to solving the country’s problems, I doubt that they would have voted so massively for Akufo-Addo.
One of the most memorable statements from the State of the Nation Address was the “I’m in a hurry” What does a person in a hurry do? He/She uses all the available resources best for their purpose and then it’s ‘all systems go!’
Can it be imagined that Akufo-Addo having had more than enough time to understudy the highest office of the land, wouldn’t have come up with an approach that is different?
And can it be imagined that he didn’t foresee the furore over his decision?
Yet, despite the very predictable opposition, he has had the courage to maintain that this is his approach, the Akufo-Addo Way. This speaks of a man who has confidence and is focused.
Some of what is fuelling his focus is apparent through the following other excerpts from his State of the Nation Address:
• Some six weeks after taking over the reins of government … our worst fears have been confirmed, plus a few additional, unpleasant surprises as well.
• More debt was accumulated by the previous government in the last eight years than all other governments put together since Independence!
• Ghana’s economic growth has also declined dramatically.
• I will not allow this economy to collapse under my watch. We will reduce significantly the fiscal deficit this year.
• We are going to have to implement some tough, prudent and innovative policies to get out of this financial cul-de sac and rescue this economy ….
• But, I was not elected … to complain. I was elected to get things done. I was elected to fix what is broken and my government and I are determined to do just that.
• We must have the courage to start building our future and take the hard decisions that need to be taken to grow our economy.
• The most critical challenge inherited by this NPP government is the very high, unprecedented level of unemployment, particularly among the youth…. It … affects every home.
• I am in a hurry to ensure that every child born in this country attends school from Kindergarten to Senior High School … We intend to reform the basic school curricula with emphasis on literacy, numeracy and creative skills.
• Development in freedom should remain our moral anchor. That is the Ghanaian way and that is the Akufo-Addo way.
• The people of Ghana have voted for change. All … should recognize this strong desire on the part of the people for change.
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I believe that President Akufo-Addo knows his destination and how to get there. He needs support to implement the new approach.
True, taxpayers’ money is at stake, but it is also the President’s reputation and the NPP’s electoral fortunes on the line. Would he gamble with these?
Surely, if he admits he’s in a hurry and is introducing a new method, it must be because he’s convinced it is feasible and that the objective is achievable, through the Akufo-Addo Way.