The Ghanaian Times congratulates Ghanaians on the 68th anniversary of the country’s independence, which was marked yesterday.
On Wednesday, our editorial was on the anniversary and it questioned whether independence had helped the development of the country, and a speech delivered by President John Dramani Mahama yesterday dovetails into our opinion piece.
In a speech delivered at the national celebration of the 68th Independence Day organised at the Jubilee House, the seat of government in Accra, President Mahama admonished the current generation to effectively manage the abundant resources available to it or suffer the retribution of unborn generations. (See our lead story).
To him, the current generation is merely custodians of the resources of the country for future generations and must do well to guard and put them to judicial use for the benefit of the future generations. Then he lamented the failures of the current generation compared to the efforts of the forebears; and the challenges being faced now.
He followed this up with remarks three of which are profound for us, with the first being a promise or assurance of his bold leadership, the second as an appeal to the citizenry to rally behind the government, and the third to the effect that nation building is not about rhetoric or clichés.
President Mahama has made it clear that he is committed to providing the bold leadership and the clarity of vision needed to navigate the turbulent economic waters being sailed currently while safeguarding the future.
Certainly, bold leadership is the answer to the challenges of the moment because it can take only such leadership to be resolute and make decisions that may appear bitter to some of the citizens but would ultimately benefit the entire nation.
It is undisputed, for instance, that every country’s development includes its aesthetic beauty but the kind of spatial planning that would ensure this is being defied by developers, especially individuals building for themselves.
This is one area that needs that bold leadership to correct.
It is sad that builders have taken over lands reserved for roads and other social amenities.
Are Ghanaians proud, for example, of communities without layouts for roads that make everywhere easily accessible, markets, recreational centres and public places of convenience?
Is it right, for instance, to look on unconcerned about the unbridled lawlessness, corruption in the public service space, the commonplace impunity and the filth all over the place?
These and other rot in the system must end and only bold leadership can help because it is the approach that checks wrongs without let or hindrance.
Such leadership would ensure adherence to law, equity and equality, and opportunities for all.
Under the circumstances, the people would feel obliged to rally behind the government to deliver the needed economic reforms that would set the tone for sustainable growth and development.
Such leadership is the only one which would make the people to agree that the government is not indulging in clichés but implementing policies that call for the judicious use of the country’s resources for the benefit of both present and future generations, and also get it out of the shackles of depending on hand-outs for survival.