After Ghana’s independence in 1957, Osaagyefo Kwame Nkrumah insisted that our fight against imperialist colonial domination was not over until economic colonialism had been adequately resisted. He explained that a country cannot be said to be truly independent when its economy, along with other factors of production are not in its hands. This phase of independence he was seeking on behalf, and with the help of his people, was the struggle against neo-colonialism. The nation was thus set on the path of the struggle for economic independence. This is what manifested in the active drive of “work and happiness” for the massive industrialization attempt by our country. The first step was to build in the Ghanaian, that necessary spirit of confidence and pride, bringing to his realization that he too is capable of managing his own affairs. We started piloting our own airplanes (Ghana Airways) and navigating our own ships (The Black Star Line), State resources were committed to funding other projects likes the Meridian Hotel, states farms, the sugar, palm, tomato, beef, jute and shoe factories. All these created jobs for our people. We were also making some strides in the area of Banking and commerce. As the Central Bank discharged its back and forth duties, the Ghana Commercial Bank and the Agricultural Development Bank were in place to dispense banking in the respective areas. Thus, their establishments were not motivated by profit but need.
Our trains were still running and our postal and telecommunication industry had just begun. Then comes amplified demands by the West after the overthrow of Osaagyefo, through the IMF/World Bank that we could only advance as a nation only when we have delivered these strategic national assets to the private sector, knowing very well the local indigene was nowhere near buying off such assets. Thus, in line with the agenda of embarking on the second phase of colonialism, (Neo-colonialism), a new version of colonial merchants and missionaries emerged, this time not as pirates but as strategic investors ready to take over and crumple our strategic National assets.
Today, Ghana Airways, once our flying pride is no more, it has been sold to a travel and tour company, the Black star line which was an inspiration to all black nations is also no more, our shoe factory is no more, we have no trace of our state farms, the beef factory is no more, the tomato factory is no more; sadly, we are proud importers of food stuff. The Nsawam Cannery, the jute factory and many others have all collapsed; even the Meridian Hotel has become the abode rascals and reptiles. The energetic youth of our country flood the streets selling dogs and chains, food and water, and many other imported items while foreigners take over our airspace, lands, and seas; yet we are made to think we have sovereignty. The state’s fishing Corporation was also sold and your guess is as good as mine, it failed. Recently, our fishermen were on streets and the closest our government came to helping, was to secure a court injunction to restrain them from hitting the streets just like how many of the attempted demonstrations has been apprehended.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) alone privatized close to one hundred and twenty-five state corporations, in the end Ghana has nothing to show for it. The New Patriotic Party (NPP) accedes to this utmost stupidity, backed by ideology and an unforgiving slaving mentality. They attempted selling off the Agricultural Development Bank (ADB) on a ridiculous basis as it being a smaller bank as compared to Stanbic. They even insisted, in the face of massive opposition, that it was a liability to the state. Today, it is this liability that is pre-financing the National Youth Employment Program (NYEP). Clearly, the earlier our leaders went beyond this reckless, rural and inferior mentality of selling off national assets as the surest way forward, the better it would be for us and generations yet unborn.
The justifications given for the sale of Ghana Telecom (GT) by government are at best, foolish. We are told that this move by government is in line with its policy of making the private sector the engine of growth. But just before we move on, it is important to state, that this mantra of the private sector being the engine of growth as trumpeted by the NPP government, is only but a useless smoke screening jargon, directed at concealing the apparent attempts by governments to shirk its responsibility. If there is any engine here, it is government; there is no other substitute! But let us for a moment assume that the NPP government is committed to enhancing the capacity of Ghana’s private sector, thus, amounting to the idealistic claim of the private sector being the engine of growth; in the case of Ghana Telecom, it is Britain’s Vodafone that secured the deal. What then is government saying- foreignization?
Our government lacks confidence in itself and has more often assumed same for all Ghanaians. This inferiority is further exposed as they mention the lack in expertise in the management of GT as formidable grounds for its sale. It is important that in their determination to remain ungrateful to the creator, they do not add the good and competent citizens who think otherwise. Amongst our enormous natural resources is our human resource. Ghanaians all over the world have demonstrated this. Unquestionably, we are endowed with some of the world’s best brains; we have the Professor Allotey’s, Apostle Kwadwo Sarfo’s and the Professor Frimpong Boateng’s. In management, we have the Ceo’s of Antrack Airline, Unique Trust Financial Services and many others, just to mention a few who if given the simple opportunity can turn things around. Thus, the lack of expertise cannot constitute a good reason. But then again, we shall assume without admitting that GT needs expertise, should the answer amount to a sale?
Government mentions that the sale of GT would amount to an injection of capital investment and that will make it more competitive in the global economy. If this is their problem, then they have no problem. Our own Mr. Allan Kwadwo Kyeremateng in his bid to become flag bearer of the NPP demonstrated how we could generate money without necessarily selling-off our national assets like GT and adding our national fiber optic nerves to the deal. Indeed, the rush with which government seeks to sell off GT leaves nothing, but strong suspicions that its sale would amount to capital injection into some private pockets.
Again, government insists that, GT, as it stands now, is unable to meet its tax obligations. Added to this, is the fact that GT was unable to redeem its bonds, amounting to a loss. All these account for the reasons why government insists on its sale. Again, without admitting, we shall assume that these flawed reasons given by government are valid enough to stand on their feet. But how did the same government deal with the over $70million debt of Westel when the Americans pleaded for debt forgiveness? It was canceled. While saying this, the truth is also that GT within the same period experienced similar debt forgiveness. But what we must not fail to realize is the fact that, GT is an asset we can only call our own, the fact that it is in debt does not mean it must be sold; just by believing in ourselves, in our abilities, the condition can be improved. After all, Ghana is also in debt does that mean it must be sold?
Another preposterous reason advanced by some government officials doing the rounds for the sale of GT, is the fact that money is needed to finance the budget. It is sad. And that is why we are still where we are. This thinking reflects in the practical scenario where a parent wills three houses to the daughter, anytime she is hungry she sells one… we may need no guesses to know what would happen in the end aside the fact that she is a candidate for prostitution. Very soon the Akosombo dam, the independence square, among others is also going to be put on sale.
Now the point must be made, that whiles we are totally against any form of sale of GT, the Nations opposition parties are practically not against its sale. Their problem is either the amount involved or the form it is taking. Thus, even those who want to make it a political issue are limited. The only alternative left in kicking against this despicable line of reasoning by our leaders is by adopting a non-partisan approach to dealing with this sickening mentality of our leaders.
First and Final, all like-minded Ghanaians and forward-moving forces, irrespective of our political party sympathies or affiliations must immediately begin to congregate from the Ashanti Region to Brong Ahafo, through to Central Region to the Eastern Region, Northern, Upper East, Upper West, Volta, Western and finally, Greater Accra to stage the series of massive protests, boycotts and pickets against the suggested sale of GT. Thus, our respective political parties must mean nothing to us than what is in our nation’s interest. Some people have stopped thinking and this is the only way to get them wear their thinking caps.
Ernesto Yeboah
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
(ernestoyeboah@yahoo.com)
