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Thoughts on how to accelerate national development

As we navigate the complexities of our nation’s de­velopment, it has become increas­ingly clear that a paradigm shift is necessary. We must adopt a new approach, one that prioritises unity, meritocracy, and the well-being of all Ghana­ians. Here are 12 principles that can guide us towards a brighter future.

1. A unified development

plan

We need a single, overarching development plan that succes­sive governments can implement progressively. Changes to this plan should only be made through national consensus, ensuring that our development trajectory remains steady and unwavering. For instance, Singapore’s success can be attributed to its long-term development plan, which has been implemented consistently across governments since the 1960s. Ex­treme partisanship has left Ghana with a piece-meal development agenda that only serves the ego of each party in Government.

2. Merit-based gover

nance

The current adversarial politics must give way to a system that brings together the best minds and most skilled individuals, regardless of party affiliation. This will ensure that our governance is informed by expertise, experience, and a com­mitment to the nation’s well-being. According to the World Bank, countries with strong institutions and merit-based governance tend to have higher economic growth rates and better development outcomes.

In fact, when it comes to solving a nation’s problems, the best brains, no matter which region or tribe they come from, must be the only criteria. Tribalism only finds relevance when the need to show­case our rich and diverse cultural uniqueness arises. However, in the context of governance and devel­opment, meritocracy must take precedence.

Moreover, only a merit-based system can generate the critical mass of development necessary to profoundly benefit the most vulnerable members of society. To achieve optimal results with max­imum efficiency, it is essential to harness the expertise of the most exceptional minds available. How­ever, overemphasizing gender and regional balances at the expense of merit may undermine this objec­tive. While diversity is important, prioritizing it over competence will inevitably slow our progress, hindering our ability to reach our goals in a timely manner. By striking a balance between diversity and merit, we can ensure that we achieve our objectives efficiently and effectively.

3. Fact-based decision

making

Anyone in government who disregards facts and evidence, or demonstrates impractical thinking, must be excluded from national de­cision-making processes. Our de­velopment depends on informed, data-driven decisions. For example, Rwanda’s remarkable progress in healthcare and education can be attributed to its evidence-based policy-making approach. It takes discipline and humility to be mind­ful of established facts. Flowery speeches and propagandist presen­tations by government spokesper­sons and officials invariably hurt the fortunes of our dear country and must be frowned upon and treated us an offence of a sort.

4. Zero tolerance for

tribalism

Tribalism has no place in our government. It undermines national cohesion and perpetu­ates divisions. We must treat any hint of tribalism as an affront to national development and ensure that our institutions promote in­clusivity and equality. According to the United Nations, tribalism and ethnic divisions are major obstacles to development in many African countries.

5. Empowering Local

Government

Only highly qualified achievers should be appointed or elected as Regional Ministers, MCEs, and DCEs. By empowering local gov­ernment officials, we can unlock their potential to drive develop­ment and improve lives. Research has shown that decentralised gov­ernance can lead to more effective service delivery and better devel­opment outcomes. Our Regional, Municipal and District operations must be manned by people who are competent enough to develop their jurisdictions without relying unduly on the central government.

6. Professional Commu

nication

Public Relations Officers (PROs) of public entities should be the primary spokespersons for state agencies. Ministers and other public officials should focus on their core responsibilities, rather than media representation. This approach has been successfully adopted by countries like Canada and Australia.

7. Accountability in

Communication

Spokespersons who knowingly mislead the public must face severe sanctions and be barred from performing media duties. Truthful­ness and transparency are essential in our communication. According to the International Monetary Fund, transparent communication is critical for building trust in gov­ernment and promoting economic stability.

8. Learning from the

Past

Public officers who justify current misconduct by referencing past errors must be held account­able. We cannot afford to repeat mistakes; instead, we must learn from them and move forward. As the saying goes, “those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.”

9. Balancing Tradition

and Modernity

Not all foreign ideals are suitable for our context. Ghanaian histo­rians, who understand our norms and traditions, must be valued as national assets. They can help us strike a balance between preserving our heritage and embracing ben­eficial foreign ideas. For instance, Japan’s unique blend of traditional and modern culture has contribut­ed to its remarkable economic and social progress.

10. Supporting Local

Industries

The government must prioritise locally produced items, even if they cost more than foreign alternatives. By doing so, we can grow local capacity, create jobs, and eventu­ally achieve competitive pricing. According to the African Devel­opment Bank, promoting local industries is critical for achieving sustainable economic growth and reducing poverty.

11. Managing Tribal

Sentiments in Security

Services

We must find ways to eliminate the need to use tribal sentiments within our security services as a basis of decision making i.e. pro­motions etc. This will ensure that our institutions remain impartial, effective, and committed to serving all Ghanaians. Research has shown that diverse and inclusive institu­tions are more effective

BY ADADE CAN-TAMAKALOE

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