KB Asante: Voice From Afar column

In a discussion with a journalist the other day I said we should have protested about some strictures on our financial administration by an ambassador of a “partner” country. 

His comment was a plaintive rejoinder, “But who will then help us?” Unfortunately that is the depth of belief into which we have sunk.  And if those who should help us to understand local and foreign happenings believe in our impotence and incompetence then the country is an apology of an independent nation.

Perhaps that is why I have not come across many protests concerning what I believe to be a humiliation of our nation and womanhood.  I complained to a friend that our Foreign Minister appeared to have been side-stepped during the present visit of our President to Teheran. 

He disagreed and gave me newspaper coverage of the visit which showed our Foreign Minister in an “Iranian garb”.  I was disgusted.  We often complain about the position of women in Ghana.  I believe that some of our proposals and propositions are not thoughtful. 

But to subject our Foreign Minister to the humiliation of what to many Ghanaians is a pantomime garb for a state visit is to betray respect for our womanhood. 

The Minister might cover her head at formal occasions as some churches demand at the altar.  But we should have insisted that she is our Minister even if a woman and should be present at the President’s visit and attend meetings the President wishes her to attend. 

The host President may not shake hands with her if that is their custom.  She may not wear shoes to certain places if that is the practice.  But to be compelled to dress like an Iranian Arab is beyond the pale.

I wonder what has happened to my former colleagues in the Foreign Ministry.  Was the Ministry consulted about the visit? Even if the visit is about money, the Foreign Ministry should be consulted. 

In Nkrumah’s days police or security personnel accompanied a Ministry official to ensure that all was well for a Presidential visit.  We could even hint that if the President was not given the usual accommodation for a visiting Head of State the visit would not take place.  And the President would take our advice.

Perhaps the situation is different today.  Perhaps now we need money and we must eat the humble pie to obtain the money we badly need.  I am afraid this is not true. 

No amount of loans, foreign assistance and partnership ventures can get Ghana out of its present economic and social difficulties.  Only Ghanaians can create the confident and economically strong country we all desire.

We must foreswear our foolish ways and suffer a little for our past follies while ensuring that our leaders do not corrupt their way through the next election.  Ghanaians and especially our governments should realise that no country, however friendly and wealthy will give us loans without somewhat difficult conditions. 

No investors can be persuaded to bring money into Ghana if they are likely to earn less profits or worse still if there is danger of collapse of the industries or services they set up.  We must put our house in order to attract investors.  Visits and jamborees alone will not attract serious investors.  And Ghanaians can also invest.  As a matter of fact, we do. 

Ghanaians buy “Treasury Bills” because the returns or profits are good.  The government uses the Treasury Bill intake to shore up its finances.  And so the government should woo Ghanaian investors.  The farce that only outside money can develop the country should end.

In Accra at the moment we have many sky-scrapers springing up for customers who must have plenty of money.  Perhaps the investment in this area has peaked.  The administration or government should have plans for enticing those with the money to invest in profitable and development-wise areas.

The action to improve the economy and social conditions is here in Ghana.  Pantomimes outside will not help to clean our drains and water ways; stop urination anywhere and build toilets in every home. 

We have to collect taxes diligently and use the money wisely while the corrupt are ruthlessly punished.  Looking up to our present benefactors with a begging bowl while we say yes to all they say will not end our present pathetic situation.

We have a woman Foreign Minister who should accompany the President if desired.  She is elegant; she thinks well and speaks well.  She either represents us as a Ghanaian or attends to useful duties at home.