Opinions of Tuesday, 7 December 2010

Columnist: The Emperor

Ghana: A Nation Wrestling With Inferiority Complex

Just ‘bout a month ago, Mr Rawlings made a wild allegation against former president Kufour. He accused the former president of running our national airline aground. According to Mr Rawlings, Kufour’s lack of managerial skills is what led to the collapse of the airline. As usual, many people came out to condemn Mr Rawlings for making such an allegation. To them, this allegation was unfounded. As for me, I thought that Mr Rawlings’s allegation, albeit unpopular, was appropriately placed. Former president Kufour, I believe, could’ve kept Ghana Airways in the air. After all, there were different options within his grasp, which could’ve been utilized for the redemption of our troubled airline. Regrettably, none of these options were weighed upon, let alone taken into consideration.That said, I wonder how Ghana Airways, an airline--which Ghanaians least preferred, could’ve been saved. To tell the truth, Ghanaians, especially in diaspora--contributed to the demise of the airline. Most of them, when visiting Ghana, refused to fly Ghana Airways.

For instance, when the airline was flying in Europe, its Ghanaian passengers were less to none. Ghanaians often chose to fly European air carriers the likes of Lufthansa, British Air or KLM, whilst discarding their own. In the end, it was the refusal of Ghanaians to support their own airline, which brought the airline to its knees. Yes, in order to increase its clientele, former president Kufour could have advised Ghana Airways to reduce its fees. I am sure that would’ve helped. But then, in comparison to British Airways and the likes, Ghana Airways wasn’t all that expensive. In fact, it was one of the cheapest airlines around. Yet Ghanaians, more or less, condemned it to bankruptcy. Simply because; in their eyes, Ghana Airways--in comparison to the other European airlines, wasn’t good enough for them. And, why wasn’t it good enough for them? Well, we would soon find out. So, please, read on.

Ever since anyone of us could remember, Ghana has been struggling to get her feet on solid ground. Thus far, all attempts to industrialize the nation, with the hope of building a strong economy, has hopelessly failed. As a result, our economy, which should’ve been interdependent, has become dependent. Our market-economy is over-saturated with imported commodities as opposed to Made in Ghana commodities. But then, how did this phenomenon come ‘bout? Well, the answer to this question is pretty simple. We Ghanaian consumers are under the assumption that Made in Ghana commodities are inferior. In fact, our minds have been poisoned to the extent that we value less of ourselves, but more of others. As a people, we don’t love ourselves, let alone love what we make. Therefore, since we don’t love ourselves, let alone love what we make, we have stopped making things, which others could love, let alone support them ourselves. Mind you, you are what you create. If you love what you create, others would love it too.

Indeed, we could talk ‘bout the lack of development in our country. But, how could there be development if we--as a people, are suffering from inferiority complex? How could we talk ‘bout development if we don’t appreciate our distinctive Afrocentric looks? You see, inferiority complex occurs, when the mind is in a state of confusion. In this state, the confused mind ceases to develop, let alone expand. Of course, there are many symptoms, which are associated with inferiority complex. Undoubtedly, the deadliest of these symptoms is envy. Envy breeds lack of appreciation, selfishness, greed, self-hatred, disunity, and ultimately self-destruction. So, the question is; as a people, how do we expect to manufacture things, which others could buy or love, when we are filled with self-hatred? Mind you, a people who suffer from inferiority complex would never rise to their true potential. They would always be slaves to those whom they try to be. As a people, we could build strong institutions and leave behind a legacy of greatness. However, if we continue to entertain the notion that whatever the White man makes is the best, ours wouldn’t be in demand anywhere else. It’s that simple!


Welcome 2 the Dawn!

Source:
The Emperor