Are we not all human, created by the same Creator, sharing the same blood that flows through our veins? Do we not all possess feelings, emotions, and the capacity for empathy? Are the Europeans, Americans, Asians, and Arabs fundamentally different from us, the African, and for that matter, the Ghanaian? The answer, of course, is no. Yet, the stark differences in the way we treat our people, govern our nations, and manage our resources beg the question: what is wrong with us?
Why do other nations care so deeply about the lives of their people, even their pets and plants when we, as Ghanaians, appear indifferent to the plight of our own citizens? Why do they prioritize quality education, healthcare, clean environments, and sustainable development, while we neglect these essentials and continue to celebrate mediocrity? Why do their leaders walk among their people, ensuring their welfare, while ours stand aloof, treating the masses like dirt from the high horses of privilege and power? These are the haunting questions that should keep us awake at night.
The Governance Gap: Leaders Who Pretend to Lead
In countries like Singapore, Japan, and the United States, leaders have historically put their nations first, crafting long-term plans and making personal sacrifices to secure a better future for their citizens. In contrast, African leaders, particularly in Ghana, often prioritize personal gain, family wealth, and political expediency over national progress. It is not uncommon to see policies that serve the interests of the few, rather than the many. Greed, avarice, and treachery have become the defining characteristics of our governance, leaving the majority of citizens to fend for themselves in an environment of systemic neglect.
Take illegal mining (galamsey), for instance. Our forest reserves and water bodies are being destroyed at an alarming rate, with devastating consequences for the environment and public health. Yet, these activities continue with impunity, often under the tacit approval of those in power. Compare this to countries like Norway or Switzerland, where leaders enforce strict environmental policies to protect their natural resources for future generations. The difference is clear: their leaders think and act with their citizens in mind, while ours often refuse to think beyond their own narrow interests.
A Culture of Mediocrity: Celebrating the Bare Minimum
One of the most glaring issues plaguing Ghana is our celebration of mediocrity. We hold grand durbars to commission a few kilometers of poorly constructed roads, boreholes, and classrooms, a stark contrast to the transformative infrastructure projects seen in countries like China or the UAE. In Dubai, for example, leaders envisioned a world-class city and worked tirelessly to achieve it. Today, Dubai stands as a global hub for tourism, business, and innovation. Meanwhile, in Ghana, we revel in the “small wins” and fail to demand more from ourselves and our leaders.
Why must we settle for substandard healthcare facilities where patients are treated under trees or in poorly equipped clinics? Why should children walk kilometers to attend classes under trees when other nations provide state-of-the-art educational facilities? Why do we endure traffic jams for hours every day, when urban planning and efficient public transport systems could solve these problems? The answer lies in our collective acceptance of mediocrity and our reluctance to demand better from those in power.
The Case for Accountability: Punishing Wrongdoing
Another critical issue is our inability or unwillingness, to hold wrongdoers accountable. In Ghana, corruption, nepotism, and incompetence are often rewarded rather than punished. Public officials who misuse state resources or engage in unethical practices are seldom held to account, especially if they are connected to powerful individuals. This culture of impunity sends a dangerous message: wrongdoing is acceptable as long as you are part of the “right” network.
Contrast this with countries like South Korea, where former presidents have been prosecuted and jailed for corruption. Such actions send a clear signal that no one is above the law. In Ghana, however, we often sweep scandals under the rug, allowing the perpetrators to walk free and even thrive.
This lack of accountability perpetuates a cycle of corruption and inefficiency, stalling our progress as a nation.
Breaking the Cycle: A Call for Transformation
As mentioned earlier, we often look to countries like Singapore, the United States, and China as models of development, but we refuse to adopt the practices that made them successful. These nations did not achieve progress through slogans and empty promises; they did so through visionary leadership, strategic planning, and a relentless commitment to excellence. Ghana, on the other hand, has become synonymous with rhetoric over action, with leaders who claim to serve the people but ultimately serve themselves.
It is time for us to break this cycle of mediocrity. We must demand a clear master plan for national development, one that prioritizes education, healthcare, infrastructure, and environmental sustainability.
We must hold our leaders accountable, ensuring that they serve the interests of the people rather than their own. And most importantly, we must change our mindset as citizens. We cannot continue to accept the bare minimum while expecting transformational change.
Mr. President, Do Not Disappoint Us
His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama, you have promised a “RESET” for Ghana. This is not just a slogan, it is a commitment to undo the systemic failures that have held our nation back for decades. Do not disappoint the people of Ghana and the ancestors who entrusted you with this sacred responsibility. Your success will not be measured by speeches or promises but by tangible, measurable progress that improves the lives of ordinary citizens.
We can no longer afford to tread the path of mediocrity. The time for excuses is over. The time for slogans is over. What Ghana needs now is bold action, visionary action that transforms our nation into the beacon of hope and prosperity it was always meant to be. Let us take off the shade of mediocrity and build a Ghana that future generations will be proud to call home.
This is not just a call to leadership; it is a call to every Ghanaian. Let us rise above the excuses, the complacency, and the corruption. Let us demand better not just from our leaders, but from ourselves. Only then can we truly say that we are on the path to progress. Only then can we become the Ghana we dream of.
The author of this piece is Bright Yao Dzakah. He is a journalist with the Ignite Media Group.
