Building a better Ghana: The challenge facing the new administration

I will like to send my belated congratulations to Professor Mills on his election to the office of President of the Republic of Ghana. I will like to take this opportunity to put forward some suggestions for his consideration as he performs the functions and duties of his office.

As President, you have to decide how best to setup yourself up for success. You have been given a mandate to introduce reforms and move the country forward. You enjoy a significant advantage because you campaigned on change for the better but note that people are apprehensive to change so be sensitive to this. Unlike a card player who has to use the cards he is dealt you do not have to play the cards you are dealt but have the luxury of choosing the cards. However, considering the margin with which you won the election you must see yourself heading a country with divided loyalties. It is important that you establish a relationship of trust founded on respect as there are people who still have loyalties to the past administration. Use every opportunity to give clear indication of where you're headed, for your ability to communicate clearly and consistently your vision will assist in moving the people with you. I will also like to ask that you consider some specific issues.

1. Lean government

Ensure that you have a lean government. There is no doubt that as each President is elected, he or she would bring in individuals who have supported his or her election and who then expect to be given government jobs. However, considering that the budget is supported by donations from donor countries and loans and the need to ensure that a wages growth does not overtake revenue, it is important that the number of ministers be low to enable expenditure to be kept within limits. You have made pronouncements to reduce the number of ministers but it appears that the overall number of ministers and deputies may be too much for a country the size of Ghana. It is not too late to look into this matter. Furthermore, in making ministerial appointments, integrity, a good name and competence should be the primary selection criteria.

2. Tackle the issue of corruption.

Corruption is an age-old problem in Ghana for which no lasting solution has been found, despite many attempts. This intractable problem continues to undermine the system of government and weaken the whole society. Perhaps now is the time for the Mills administration to look critically at the issue of corruption and to put in place some binding principles and procedures. What is needed is transparency in government. The government should as much as possible avoid anything that gives the appearance that persons are using public office for private gain, giving preferential treatment to any organisation, ethnic group or person. Accountability of government depends to a large extent on responsible citizens. Reporting and disclosure by government officials have their place, but they are meaningless to a complacent, cynical or self-indulgent citizenry. Accountability, like freedom, requires eternal vigilance.

3. Package of entitlements

Review as a matter of urgency the package given to the ex President. I am not sure why the ex president needs 6 cars and 2 houses. It must be noted that millions of cedis from state coffers were used to renovate President Kufour’s private residence to bring it to “ the standard befitting the status of a President.” Why does he need another house? We ask for donations from donor countries but I am yet to know of any of those countries that have such extravagant retirement benefits for their retiring Presidents or Prime Ministers.

4. Increase productivity.

One of the biggest and greatest challenges facing the nation is increasing productivity and the provision of quality service. Productivity is the life-blood of every economy. It is important to every individual and the nation as a whole. To the business person, it is the basis of profit-earnings for the firm or enterprise. To the individual, it is the foundation on which his dreams of higher earnings can be translated into realities. To the country, it is the fundamental driver of improvements in real incomes and living standards over the long term. However, the realisation of this crucial and significant role of productivity is lacking in Ghana. Mr President increasing productivity in my view requires leadership from all ministers, parliamentarians and chief directors.

5. Strengthen institutions of governance.

In my view the prosperity of a country is inextricably linked to the political leadership and the institutions of governance of the country e.g. CHRAJ. This will not only be institutions set up for fighting corruption but also institutions meant to provide for the welfare of the people or maintain law and order e.g. the Police, the Accountant General and Auditor General.

6. Education Education is a fundamental human right and should be the cornerstone in the battle against poverty. When it comes to develop a country economically, socially or politically, education is very important. However, the education system in Ghana has been allowed to run down resulting in the elite and those who can afford it sending their children to study abroad. Education is the backbone of any effective development and we need to give it priority and adequately resource it. We need to get our priorities right as a nation. We cannot be spending millions on celebrations while classes are held under trees.

7 Sanitation and health

There are many houses in Ghana without WCs. Could you give every owner of a house that has no WC 12 months to install a WC or face the full rigours of the law. You may wish to consider giving some form of monetary incentives through the tax system e.g. a 20 cedis tax offset but knowing Ghanaians this will be abused. In addition to this any one caught defecating outside should be made to face the full force of the law. These measures if enforced may within a short time reduce the pollution of our waterways and beaches. Reducing pollution and health hazards will help in improving the health of the people.

8 Bridging the gap between the rich and the poor

The poor will always be with us but the widening chasm of opportunity is in my view the other serious challenge facing the country. The respective lifestyle of the rich and the poor represent a scale of difference in opportunity and wealth and is a standing offence to the Ghanaian traditional values and the ideals enunciated in the Ghanaian Constitution.

Meeting these challenges will require a major effort on the part of the government, political and economic elites, the business community, the nongovernmental sector and a viable and effective opposition. The opposition will need to keep the government on it toes but it has to do this in a constructive spirit. It needs to show that it is an alternative government and must not oppose measures just for sake of opposing. Having said that the Government should also not dismantle programs initiated by the previous administration unless it is shown to be ineffective, defective legally or no longer required.

Ebenezer Banful Canberra