As the year draws to a close like the twilight before dark, a few things will be worth noting as a country, since its imperative now, more than ever, as we begin to drill our black gold.

Certain concerns have to be put into perspective and our priorities set right so that for once in our lackluster history a natural resource will create an economic transformation the likes of which we’ve all witnessed in some parts of the Middle East and Europe, touching on just a few.

It’s in the light of this that I have drawn up my wish list; comprising issues that for me are so basic that they should neither be belittled, nor ignored.

The first is health and here I’m not asking for much; that the government makes a conscientious effort to upgrade at least one hospital, possibly Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital to a level comparable to its counterparts in the developed countries so that even the President and his Ministers -who have traditionally had very little faith in our system to the extent that they quickly run to South Africa, Switzerland and the rest when they have the slightest inkling of ill health, not bothering to patronize our facilities knowing how poorly equipped they are- will experience no trepidation at the mention of being treated here.

It is my firm belief that for the progress of any race, advancement should be sought even if it will benefit a few people in the beginning; the excuse of inadequate funds and also the commonly trumpeted “we are not there yet” should and can no longer be tolerated. This is a mantra chanted by visionless individuals who have no wish to change the status quo due to their parochial self serving interests and perhaps, mediocrity.

We were still battling malaria when the cardio center was built and at the time some thought it was a waste of money but those pundits are now converts, if not advocates after realizing the immense contribution its establishment is making to the provision of quality care especially to those with heart conditions. There were hospitals in this country not adequately prepared to manage simple diarrheal diseases yet we were having fertility centers churning out test tube babies.

It is this foresight that we need and the hindsight of these examples that should boldly drive us into the era we need to be, making decisions and implementing them knowing that posterity will be our judge. For a country that is 53 years and counting, there is very little that makes us proud and a lot needs to be done so that a couple of years from now we will not be discussing, considering or pondering over these same issues…

Dr. Charles A. Berko

canimberk@yahoo.com