Ghana, a nation once celebrated as the shining star of Africa, now finds itself broke at 68. This harsh reality is not due to a lack of resources, but rather a lack of responsible governance. Our country is not poor—far from it. Ghana is rich in natural resources, human capital, and potential. Yet, the reckless mismanagement of public funds and the cancer of corruption have driven us to the brink of economic despair.
For decades, successive governments have touted Ghana’s vast wealth in gold, oil, bauxite, cocoa, and lithium. Yet, the ordinary Ghanaian sees little benefit. Roads remain in disrepair, hospitals lack basic medicines, and the cost of living is unbearable. Meanwhile, political elites amass unexplained wealth, flaunting luxury vehicles and building mansions while the majority struggle to afford three meals a day.
A country blessed with resources like ours should not be in debt distress, begging for bailouts from the IMF and World Bank. We have everything we need to succeed, but corruption and mismanagement have turned prosperity into poverty.
Corruption is not just an issue in Ghana; it is an epidemic. From inflated government contracts to ghost workers on payrolls, corrupt officials siphon billions of cedis meant for development. Public sector institutions, from the Ghana Revenue Authority to the Electricity Company of Ghana, are plagued by deep-seated corruption that drains national revenue.
What happened to the billions borrowed in our name? Where did all the revenue from our natural resources go? Why are we still struggling to provide basic services? The answer is simple: corruption has hijacked the state, and most public officials entrusted with leadership have failed the people. Could you imagine the best Auditor General in the 4th Republic got fired for simply doing an excellent job? Corruption is always fighting anti-corruption crusaders in Ghana.
The 2024 elections were a loud cry from Ghanaians for change, accountability, and a fresh start. President John Dramani Mahama has been given a second chance, not just to lead, but to redeem Kwame Nkrumah’s Ghana as the Black Star of Africa.This is not the time for business as usual. Ghanaians demand ethical leadership—a leadership that prioritizes the nation over personal gain, that punishes corruption instead of rewarding it, and that restores Ghana’s dignity.
It is of fierce urgency that Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL) must succeed to cleanse our society of the dire moral decadence and unrestrained corruption.We need action. We need to see corrupt officials prosecuted and stolen funds recovered because the only deterrent to corruption is the certainty of punishment! We need an end to reckless borrowing and wasteful spending. We need a government that serves the people, not one that exploits them.
Most importantly, Ghanaians must also wake up. We cannot afford to normalize corruption or accept mediocrity in leadership. It is time to hold our leaders accountable, demand transparency, and refuse to be complicit in the destruction of our country. The future of Ghana is in our hands, and we must fight for a nation that works for all, not just the privileged few.
At 68, Ghana should be a beacon of African excellence, not a case study in economic failure. The time to change course is now. If we do not act decisively, we risk celebrating our next independence anniversary in deeper pain and poverty. Ghana deserves better. The question is: will we rise to the occasion?
By Selorm Kofi Dake
International Business Consultant
kofidake.official@gmail.com
