What was Mr Rawlings thinking, when he gave us Atta Mills? An interesting question! One which begs for an answer, without a doubt. Perhaps, he saw in the former professor a man of competence and truth. Perhaps, he assumed that his vice president would do a better job if elected our president. Mr Rawlings wasn't alone in his assumption! In fact, many of us believed that Atta Mills, with his experience, expertise and humility, would turn Ghana around for the better. So, Mr Rawlings, together with some of us, labored hard and tirelessly to sell Mills to the masses. Ghana's electorate didn't disappoint. No! It heeded the call. The votes were cast to Mills' advantage. Right there and then, Nana Akuffo Addo saw his presidential aspiration evaporate. He was dealt a devastating blow, which had him shaken to the core. For the former professor, a new beginning appeared triumphantly. And, how?

2008 was a year in crisis. It was marred by the on-going global economic recession! Companies were rapidly closing down, and unemployment was on the increase. In that respect, the timing couldn't have been worse for the Atta Mills' presidency. Mind you, his administration inherited an economy in decline. Moreover, the treasury was empty, when he came to power. It was absolutely dry. No monies left in it whatsoever! Kufour's administration was inconsiderate and wickedly unkind. Not a pesewa was saved! Indeed, Mills had a situation in his hands. An unpleasant situation, to say the least. He faced a dilemma! Money had to be in order if he was going to rescue Ghana’s economy from ruin. In America, Obama was faced with the same issue. But, what did he do? A stimulus package was proposed. It's reported that $812 billion was printed out of thin air to kick-start America's economy. How clever! Ghana should've followed suit. Mills’ administration failed to do so. It failed to seize the moment for an unknown reason!

Instead, the IMF was called upon for financial assistance. Ghana received $602.6 million to bolster a new economic plan. An economic plan, which has yet to come in fruition! On a personal note, I don't have anything against borrowing. A debt could become an asset if invested wisely! Let's take Brazil for example. When Mr Luis da Silva, Brazil's 35th president, assumed the presidency in 2003, his country was heavily indebted! The IMF and the World Bank were the ones calling the shots. The poverty rate in that country was at its all time high. Joblessness was forcing many into a life of crime. The country’s infrastructure was nothing to write home about! In short, the future of Brazil didn’t look promising at all. So, Mr Luis da Silva and his cabinet members went to work.

Under his astute leadership, several socio-economic programmes were successfully implemented. One of those programmes was the Growth Acceleration Programme, which had a budget of $353 billion. Its intention was to strengthen Brazil's infrastructure, consequently stimulate the private sector and create more jobs. It worked! This programme, together with the others, had a major impact on poverty alleviation. It’s estimated that between 2002 and 2010, 25 million Brazilians were lifted out of poverty. Today, Brazil has cleared all her debts. The country has the eighth-largest economy in the world. Thanks, of course, to Mr Luis da Silva’s common sense approach, Brazil's long term economic development plan, and the Brazilians all-hands-on-deck mentality. Atta Mills should've taken a cue from Brazil. He should’ve copied her success formula. He didn't! Instead, he encouraged prayer. He wished that Ghana was a prayer camp. The absurdity of it! Somebody should’ve told Mills that religion kills the imagination. Ask Galileo!

In 2011, Ghana joined OPEC as an oil producing country. Shortly after that, the country was told its new found wealth has been collateralized for loans. Nearly $13 billion worth of loan deals were signed with Chinese investors to fund energy, agriculture and transport development. Were these loans necessary? Absolutely, not! Ghana could've funded the aforementioned projects without help from the Chinese. The income generated from the sales of our resources, if carefully managed, should be able to sustain us financially! So, why did Atta Mills opt for loan dependency instead of self-sufficiency? Your guess is as good as mine! In fact, my complaints about Mills' administration are many, and rightfully so. Honestly, I don't think that Mills is worth a second term. He is not a man of vision, nor is he a patriot. The STX housing project should ring a bell. How unpatriotic was that? Why should we employ foreigners to do for us what we can do for ourselves? Is it a matter of inferiority complex? Ghana would be better off with Paa Kwesi Nduom as her next president, not Mills or Nana Akuffo Addo. I am sure all educated people would agree! Remember, there comes a time, when political party devotee-ism must be traded for patriotism. Well, this is the time. The moment has come!

Welcome 2 the New age of Consciousness!

Source:
The Emperor