Charting A Future

With the sudden widespread global growth of the argument that free-market capitalism is “inhuman and exclusive – based on class-bound establishment that denies equal opportunity to all and social groups” (Petra, J; Monthly Review Vol. 51 No,10), among some socio-political thinkers, it is surprising that the New Patriotic Party rather than follow the call for a third way is getting itself deep in capitalism and private enterprise with the party priding itself as the property owning party. In the same way, for those who are bent on maintaining what they believe to be Nkrumah’s ideals, state socialism is now seen as denying “the individual freedom of choice and incentives to engage in entrepreneurial activity.” (ibid Petra)

It is this counter claims that has shaped the thinking of a section of the ruling British Labour Party who share Prime Minister Blair’s vision of a change to claim that “they are in favour of an economy and society that combines the individual choice of the market place and the social opportunities of the welfare state” (ibid Petra) which is the third way.

Followers of the third way believe that “historical developments have dissolved all class-based and rendered class struggle approaches irrelevant.” (ibid Petra). The question that comes to mind is does that fit the Ghanaian situation and would one propose this third way for Ghana? The issue of class in Ghana can be very contentious. There is indeed an established class in Ghana. These are people with wealth built on personal achievement and there are also those who have used politics to achieve wealth. What does exist in Ghana is that there is a constant clash between the top class for political control using the under class. This has made class struggle in Ghana a very complicated issue. Whereas in other parts of the world, Ghana and for that matter Africa, the established classes struggle among themselves to gain political power only to amass wealth. That is the reason why the class system in Ghana needs o be properly defined. This means that the working classes must identify themselves clearly. For example, the poor farmer in Bolgatanga cannot be any different from the port worker at Tema. In the same way as the young lecturer would need to identify himself with the Administrative staff in the civil service. This way, a proper class struggle can take place and mind you, no one is suggesting real fight but simply groups that come together to oppose the established classes from using power to amass wealth at the expense of the people.

Unfortunately, Ghana’s history after 1981 has come to show that sometimes it is easy to come out with ideas but putting them in practice is a very difficult thing. When ex-President Rawlings came to power in 1981 through the coup that overthrew Hilla Limann, the people who served in the government at the time were all people who had nothing. But political office had turned them rich. As a result of this, it is not clear yet if any attempt at redrawing the social class line can be possible. In any case, should this be done, it would be in the interest of the country because we would be moving away from the use of personality, ethnic, religion and wealth to attract votes. Should Ghana tread along this line, there is the possibility that the country could be moving towards what Petra suggests “society will retain social inequalities but encourage equal opportunity: the goal accordingly is not to redistribute income but to increase income for all”

Thus, what Ghana needs is a coalition of people within the NPP who are humane enough to appreciate that greed is not what we need at this time of the country’s growth and those within the CPP and NDC who want to see a renewed country where cheating and use of the state for personal wealth is not the norm. After all of what use is it to build a nice mansion that you cannot show off because of fear of armed robbers. That is not to say that everyone must build a mansion. Far from that, the country that every Ghanaian wants to see is one that for those who cannot build, there would exist structures that would help to put a roof over their heads and have the necessary medical care in time of sickness.

It means therefore that the humane NPP followers would be those that shun the “unregulated private ownership, private philanthropy and moral exhortations directed at the working class to exercise greater personal responsibility over their lives”. (ibid Petra). In the case of the NDC and CPP, these are those followers whom according to Petra believe in “state regulations over working conditions, health, and housing as well as rational planning over the economy to ensure full employment.” Of course one does not loose sight of the reality that all fingers are not equal and according to Petra, “the right wing,” which in the case of Ghana are represented by the hard core NPP top brass believe that “inequalities reflected natural differences in abilities, and differential rewards encouraged entrepreneurship and private initiative.” This can however not be said to be true of Ghana and this is not a wholesale indictment on entrepreneurs in Ghana. However, the truth no matter how much we may wish it away is that, so much state money has enriched a lot of people and their wealth is not a reward for their entrepreneurship.

The democracy that the country has enjoyed for the past 16 years has brought with it a climate of stability and freedom even if it is just. But, things can be better because “democracy” should not be measured in terms of the use of the ballot box to change governments, the existence of a parliament, a judiciary and free press alone. These are just institutions by themselves and in any case one cannot even say the judiciary is free because the independence of the judiciary is itself rhetoric given that the executive appoints members of the supreme court. Therefore one cannot but agree with Petra when he says “true democracy could only be obtained through economic as well as political democracy” because what is the point if l can vote and call a radio station to voice my opinion but cannot afford one square meal.

It is important that Ghanaian and for that matter African politicians who are attracted to the right to realise that the “the trickle down effect of a prosperous capitalist economy is by itself insufficient to give the lower classes a fair share in social prosperity.”(www.fes.org.kr accessed on 16/07/2006). The truth is that our economies cannot be said to be capitalist in its true sense and therefore if we practice a half basked political and economic system, we must expect to reap poor results. That is why the poor is getting poorer. It is also important to understand that our economics cannot move to the right in the present scheme of things therefore the time has come for a rethink and that is why the politicians must start talking among themselves to chart a course for the future.

Views expressed by the author(s) do not necessarily reflect those of GhanaHomePage.