PRES. MILLS’ WESTERN GROWTH CORRIDOR INITIATIVE: AN EXAMPLE OF HIS “SPEAK SOFTLY AND CARRY A BIG STICK” APPROACH.

Pres. Mills has been described as “asomdwehene”, a trait that many have taken for indifference and weakness. But my conclusion from observing his performance so far is that this view is wrong. He appears to me to be a mature, even keeled, and level headed person who is not ruffled by adverse events and who does not respond to provocations. He seems to be a practitioner of the approach espoused by the American President Teddy Roosevelt, which is “speak softly and carry a big stick, and you will go far”.

He has used this approach to deal with many controversies by I will only mention two. The first was when the STX Housing project bill was initially introduced in Parliament and opposition MPs pointed out deficiencies, leading to acrimonious debate. Pres. Mills directed that the bill be withdrawn, corrected and resubmitted to Parliament. His order was followed and the bill was passed. The second regarded the crisis caused by NDC Chairman Dr. Kwabena Adjei’s statement that “there are many ways to kill a cat” in reference to the Judiciary. Pres. Mills held a press conference at the airport upon his return from the U.S.A., stating his confidence in the Chief Justice and the Judiciary and respect for their constitutionally guaranteed independence. This ended the crisis and demonstrated that Pres. Mills is in charge of the government and the country.

What has all this got to do with Pres. Mills and his Western Growth Corridor initiative? This will become clear by the time I finish this article. I attended the Western Region Development Forum conference at Akroma Plaza Hotel, Takoradi on September 24 and 25, 2010. The presentation by the World Bank Country Director, Mr. Ishac Diwan, was about the Western Growth Corridor initiative. It was a surprise when he disclosed that the idea for the initiative originated with Pres. Mills. Why was I surprised? Because , the Growth Corridor encompasses the Central and Western Regions.Mr Diwan’s presentation showed the economic logic and wisdom of implementing the Western Growth Corridor initiative, which I believe will lead to sustained economic growth and development, not only for the Corridor but the whole country, propelling Ghana into Upper Middle Income status by 2020.

The recent request by the Western Region House of Chiefs for 10 percent of oil revenues for infrastructural development happens to fall right in line with Pres. Mills’ Growth Corridor initiative. He has already announced related projects such as the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital, which is aimed at establishing Cape Coast as a center of educational excellence that will produce economic spin-off effects. I expect Pres. Mills to use a ceremonial occasion in the near future to announce the funding of his Western Growth Corridor initiative, thus putting to rest the anxieties and speculations regarding the Western region and oil revenues. This will be another example of his “speak softly and carry a big stick” approach. And it is very befitting, since Teddy Roosevelt said he borrowed the phrase from a West African proverb.

Albert Ocran, Jnr
Houston, Texas U.S.A.