I remember when my family had it good, and our lives were easy. At that time, I had plenty of everything at my disposal. At the age of twenty-three, most of my uncles were established business men. In terms of money, we had it in abundance. Then again, we the people of Kwahu origin have always been graced with wealth. For most of my uncles, the arrival of premature wealth in their lives brought with it the responsibility of love. As a result, most of them tied the marital knot early on in their lives. One of my uncles, who would be seventy years of age this year, was the first to mount the mountain of wealth and opportunities. Like the rest of my other uncles, he too was in his early twenties when fortune gazed upon him. From then on, his feet were set on the golden path of financial independence. At the age of twenty-two, his first car spare-parts store in Koforidua was in full bloom and thriving.

Indeed, his entrepreneurial life was a great success, and it shown in the thickness of his wallet. After establishing himself successfully in the field of business, the mansions followed suit. He had them built aplenty. By the age of thirty, he had ‘bout six to seven sprawling mansions to his name. Apart from these mansions, which he had to his name, there were other properties to his name as well. By all accounts, my uncle’s life was enviable. He had the money, the friends, the women who came in and went, and the alcohol. Yes, the alcohol. You see, my uncle was a teetotaler, when he started out in the business world. Alcohol wasn’t his thing, and he had no friends. In fact, I have been informed that he was extremely private. Sadly, somewhere down the line, he started experimenting with alcohol. Perhaps, loneliness became him. But, who knows? Anyway, slowly but surely, women and so-called friends became his life’s pursuit.

Today, this particular uncle of mine is financially bankrupt. Undoubtedly, lack of focus and mismanagement is what contributed to his financial down-fall. For him, what started off with roses, ended with thorns of his own making. My other uncles, who used to be financially safe and sound, are also struggling to make ends meet. Apparently, they too couldn’t get their act together. The mismanagement of their wealth--coupled to unsound business deals, is what brought them to their knees. To tell the truth, our family isn’t what it used to be anymore. The wealth, which used to be our possession, has become one with the earth. As a result, most of my uncles' sons and daughters have left Ghana for foreign shores in such of labor, including yours truly. Sometimes, when I am alone, I blame my uncles for our sojourn here in the White man’s country. Simply because; they didn’t think ‘bout our future, when wealth was theirs to have and to hold.

Dear reader, this story isn’t just my life’s story. It could be Ghana’s story if we aren’t careful. I am sure that most of you would agree that our government’s decision to collateralise our oil for loan was a bad idea. I am also sure that most of you would agree that the mismanagement of our natural resources has to stop. For the sake of our children’s future, we can’t and shouldn’t allow foreigners to give us less for more. We simply cannot allow this kind of trade to continue any longer. It has to stop one way or the other. In fact, we have been tolerating this kind of trade with the Europeans and the Asians for far too long. As a result, they take us for fools. Having said this, nothing would change if we don’t shout with one voice that enough is enough. But, how could we shout with one voice if the majority of Ghanaians are in a state of sleep? Yes, the majority of Ghanaians are in comatose, and they have been for a very long time. For instance, you would never see Ghanaians embark on a mass demonstration, even if things are going wrong in the country.

As consequence, those in power continue to make thoughtless decisions without any fear of the people. They do as they please! But then, why should they be afraid? Who or what is there to be afraid of? They know that the majority of Ghanaians are fast asleep. Thomas Jefferson said that a nation is better governed, when those in power fear the people. But, what happens if the people are sleeping? Would their country be better governed, let alone be feared upon by those in power? This is the question!

Welcome 2 the Age of Consciousness!

Source: The Emperor