AS GHANA turns fifty next year and plans are underway to mark it with a grand celebration to showcase the nation’s level of development, it is equally important that we reflect on our progress so far and what we have failed to do as a nation.

It is no doubt that the standard of living is very poor in many communities in the country as more people continue to complain about economic hardships even in urban centers while that of rural areas is nothing to write home about.

This situation and its ripple effects on individuals, families, communities and the nation at large is one that cannot be allowed to continue any longer; hence the need for all citizens and the country’s leadership to redefine our priorities for meaningful development.

The situation as portrayed in the South Tongu District is just one out of many, and as we fight the problem of rural-urban migration, it would be helpful if the problems are tackled at the grassroots level.

Government must show greater commitment at listening to and providing for the needs of the people through local governments to ensure significant development and economic activity that would guarantee survival for rural folks in particular.

Water is one commodity that any community cannot live without, and as such, everything possible must be done to ensure that all communities have potable water for both humans and livestock.

This would not only eliminate widespread waterborne diseases in rural areas especially, but would boost economic activities that would go a long way to improve the standard of living of the people.

Additionally, the provision of basic amenities such as electricity, schools, hospitals and good roads among others would encourage investment in these areas that would in turn provide employment for rural youth.

The comment by the Volta Regional Minister, Mr. Samuel K. Dzamesi, that about 60% of people in the region were uneducated is a serious matter and brings to fore the need to tackle education more seriously and also provide skills for rural youth.

Policies such as the Free Compulsory Universal Basic Education (FCUBE) for all and the school feeding programme being implemented by government to increase school enrolment and attendance at the basic level is in the right direction, but much more needs to be done to salvage other problems like the need for infrastructure and school materials that these programmes have brought in their wake.

It is when these things are lacking that the frustrations of the youth in particular lead them to the city centres in search of employment, compounding the already bad situation in these areas and often exposing them to danger.

The contribution of this situation to overcrowdings in city centres is the increasing problem of filth and crime that cannot be overemphasized, thereby making it necessary for adequate measures to be put in place to address the problem of low standards of living in the country.

Also, citizens must realize the fact that government cannot do everything hence the need to take up initiatives when necessary to solve some of their problems, while government provides the needed support.

In unity lies strength; and so if government together with other stakeholders such as corporate organizations, non-governmental organizations and civil society organizations work together, then the needed progress would be made within time to reverse the negative effects of the neglect of such priorities.

The Chronicle believes that such a collaboration to a large extent would help the country achieve targeted goals such as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in all desired areas and as well give meaning to the various slogans like ‘Ghana, the gateway to West Africa’, ‘The golden experience’, ‘The business hub of West Africa’ and many more.