WE ARE ON THE MOVE: WE CAN’T THROW OUR HANDS IN DESPAIR

While we may be seeking to eat one up another over frivolities, the developed world’s evaluation of Ghana as a worthy global partner in business and development is manifestly peaking.

Yes, we face several challenges, including degradation of our natural resources, which has been brought to our notice because we share interest in cocoa and gold, for instance, with the world.

So, while our civil society actors are alive and kicking, sometimes acting more catholic than the Pope, we ignore the substance of where we have come from and how far we have come, and get fixated on fixing structures that are already in the process of being fixed.

Those critical challenges include energy, water supply, sustaining our food security accomplishments and banking and finance sectors.

Of course, we have a right – even commitment – to demand the ultimate from our governments and politicians, as well as our public sector institutions, including what many see as the bungling national security apparatus.

Then, we also have an equally loud commitment to voice our concerns against corrupt elements in our midst when the facts present themselves.

That is every patriot’s responsibility everywhere in the world, including Ghana.

Business partnerships

However, because we live in a global community, it is imperative in assessing our growth and progress, to look at how credible we are getting in attracting partnerships.

No serious government can make significant, or even modest, strides without collaborating with external forces in trade and development as well as seeking financial support.

That is as true as the fact that one has to be responsible, reliable and credible to get a bank to support him or her to do business, or for a chief in the community to release land to him to engage in crop or livestock agriculture.

Business partnerships

On account of the giant strides that we continue to make, against the background of a country just emerging from an IMF programme and leaping to become one of the fastest growing economies, it wasn’t strange that sleek global businesses, in both the East and the West, would clamour for turf in Ghana to do business.

If that’s not a mark of progress and hope, we wonder what else that could be.

At the last count, we are told by the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre that we have over 200 businesses setting up in the country since the Akufo-Addo administration assumed office.

Development partnerships

Beyond regional partnerships that we have with Cote d’Ivoire, for instance, to collaborate in cocoa production for mutual benefit, Ghana has become the cynosure of all eyes around the world, as the President receives invitations to discuss development partnerships.

Again, beyond the sub-region, where other countries are calling on us to share policies with them on fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, for instance, we are being commended for initiating policies that attract investment and, subsequently, development.

Development bank

That is why we should be happy about news such as the offer from the President of the European Bank to provide a 170 million Euros facility to help our establishment of a new development bank.

As we would admit, Europe has also been a huge partner in our fight to sustain the gains made before the COVID-19, beyond other teeming development programmes it is funding in various sectors in the country.

We must keep our politicians on their toes, and push them to tackle the challenges confronting us. That is our duty as citizens.

But we must also sense it when gains and opportunities are showing up that will manifest – if we have enough patience – into tangible development. That is why we can’t throw our hands in despair, as if all lost, even though the signs are clear that there is hope ahead of us. We are on the move!