Drop your suit, enjoy some pito!
Vote John Mahama, Akwasi Amissah Arth-u-r-r-r for develop-m-e-e-e-nt; NDC ooo den, den!”
Advertisement
Hahahahaaa. This was a line from the numerous campaign songs that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) literally poured on Ghanaian voters during the 2012 electioneering campaign.
Arguably, the NDC’s campaign in 2012 went down as one of the most exciting political crusades in the Fourth Republic. The video clips and accompanying songs were simply entertaining; and the lyrics of the songs – ahhhh, so good to enjoy….hahahahaa!
Two years on, it is obvious that conditions in Ghana are not as exciting as President John Dramani Mahama and his party, the NDC, had promised.
The TUC led organised labour on a demonstration Thursday, July 24 to make it clear to the President and indeed, the NDC government that they were not happy with the state of the economy.
The President has responded by saying that he will work harder to address the concerns raised by the suffering workers of Ghana. That is very good to hear.
Another good thing that has come from the President recently is his suggestion that every day should be a ‘Made-in-Ghana’ day, saying that will be a good attempt to transform the society and the economy.
Speaking at the 57th Independence Day celebrations in Accra, the President lauded the erstwhile Kufuor-led administration for initiating the practice of putting on traditional wear on Fridays and reiterated the need for Ghanaians to patronise made-in-Ghana goods.
Indeed, a significant number of the items that are imported into the country could be made right here in Ghana.
Items such as tooth picks, toilet rolls and handkerchiefs can easily be made in Ghana, so why do we continue to import them and thus continually weaken our cedi against the major trading currencies like the U. S. dollar and British pound?
I was very encouraged when the President said, “If we are truly independent, we cannot allow our destiny to be determined by corporations, industries or individuals who exist beyond our national borders and that is precisely what we are doing when the majority of what we consume come from outside.”
Now hear him again; “Ghanaians are some of the most enterprising people in the world. We are smart, creative and have a good business sense and when put to the test, we are indeed very hard working… God has blessed us even more richly with talent, innovation and industriousness so let us use these God-given gifts to transform this great nation of ours”.
Truly, the President has spoken very well, but it is sad to observe that even after his powerful suggestions, some members of government and high profile public figures who are expected to lead the President’s made-in-Ghana campaign still wear suits to local and international assignments.
In faraway Brazil, the Coach of the Black Stars, Dr Kwasi Appiah, wore a suit to the stadium during Ghana’s first match.
The question is: Couldn’t he have worn a very lovely jumper created with a beautiful Ghanaian fabric?
He would have looked different and people would have asked about the shirt and/or the fabric and possibly gone ahead to express interest. That is how we should market Ghana as a country and the things we have to offer to the rest of the world.
Recently, I saw photographs of the new Sports Minister, Mr Mahama Ayariga, wearing a suit in Scotland where he was said to have led Ghana’s contingent to the ongoing Commonwealth Games.
It is high time we learnt a lesson from our Nigerian brothers and sisters, who largely wear made-in-Nigeria clothes home and abroad.
Mr President, please it is also important that as a government, you and your team begin to live “made-in- Ghana lifestyles” that are devoid of extravagance.
If you live in luxury that is maintained with imported expensive vehicles, vintage foreign wines, expensive foreign travels etc., our made-in-Ghana agenda will suffer because people will not be motivated to drink pito when you and your appointees are chilling with Cognacs.
Advertisement
If you drop the suit, you may feel comfortable drinking pito.
Catch me here: Wasiedus@gmail.com /Follow me on Twitter@WillieAsiedu