The Best From The West, But The Worst To The West

In order to avert the notion that the best comes from the west, but the worst goes to the west, it is imperative that the Government/Parliament heed the request of the Chiefs of the Western Region. As custodians of our land, the Western Regional House of Chiefs are only exercising the mandate or authority conferred on them by article 274 (3)(b) of the Ghanaian Constitution.

I do acknowledge that Ghana practices a unitary system of government, unlike Nigeria. However, a lot has to be done for the region which is the hub around which the nation’s economy revolves. Let us be fair to this region, the Western Region has contributed to the strengthening of Ghana’s balance of payments, through the export of cocoa, gold, manganese, bauxite, diamond and rubber amongst others - one can go on without end - since Ghana became a Republic and even before that. And yet, notwithstanding her economic contribution, her fair share has not been rendered back, leaving her amongst the most underdeveloped in the country.

Many have pointed out that the oil revenue is meagre and so the10% of the revenue, that was requested by the good Chiefs of the Western Region for its socio-economic development may not go a long way. I will reluctantly accede to this view. But we have to bear in mind that ‘’ half of a loaf is better than none’’. Trying hard to get some of the good things, which this region deserves, has even been a very difficult drag for the region.

A major concern has been the expectations of my fellow youthful ‘westerners’ of Ghana, which have rocketed since the discovery of oil in commercial quantities. Some dream that, very soon he/she can get a job and feed himself and his/her dependants. If this expectation is not met, these disappointed youth could be preyed on by powerful and selfish individuals, probably culminating other social vices. My bone of contention is that, the Authorities have done little to educate these people about the realities on the ground. It appears that, the authorities are only interested in the potential revenue that would accrue from the” black gold”. And no programme has so far been outlined for the indigenes of the source of our ‘’black gold’’. In the light of the aforementioned issues, I think the Chiefs in their wisdom were making these requests with the aim of averting these problems from the land that has been bestowed upon them.

The Niger Delta problems where the youth were preyed on by the very powerful and influential should be a case study for all of us. It is clear that the experience in the Niger Delta that culminated in kidnapping and other social vices was a result of unemployment and abject poverty. Of course we would not want such a calamity to befall the ‘best region’ in Ghana. So it is imperative that Government/Parliament come up with a good and viable strategy for the region which has been the main backbone of Ghana’s economy.

Also the euphoria surrounding the discovery of the ‘’black gold’’ is such that the 10%, that was not even accepted by the Government and Parliament may not have been enough for the development of this good region. Thus, the authorities/Parliament may want to consider the notion of the late Professor Kwesi Andam, who posited that the capital of Ghana should be moved to the western region, making it the economic capital to satisfy the request of the good Chiefs for a 10% share of the oil revenue. Especially, as the current Capital Accra is virtually ‘choked’.

Looking at the geographical position of the western region, the effect of moving the capital is only a horizontal shift, which would yield good results for Ghana as country. This notion if carried out will give us an opportunity to develop another part of the country. For example, Nigeria and Ivory Coast have carried out such bold steps with great success. Carrying out Professor Andah’s notion would bring the necessary infrastructure that befits a capital, for example, the establishment of an Oil and Gas University, or expanding the Takoradi Harbour and Airport, leading to an increase in commerce, and a boost in Tourism, and improvement in the construction sector amongst others. All these projects will bring employment which will exceed the current expectations of the people of the western region and the unemployed Ghanaian.

May I also add that moving the capital to Takoradi will not only benefit the people of the Western region. As I mentioned earlier, the western region finds itself in almost the same geographical position as Greater Accra. That is, to the west of the Western Region is the Ivory Coast, to the North is Burkina Faso, and to the east is Togo, and so this movement if implemented will in no way affect the commercial activity that goes on between the citizens of this state, but rather improve it. Other citizens of Ghana also stand to benefit from this idea, because our brothers and sisters, in the Ashanti, Brong Ahafo and the three Northern Regions can still have access to the Western Region and Greater Accra giving them a choice.

I cannot also fathom why, as a Nation, we have allowed Multi-National Enterprises like Tullow and the others to congregate amongst other big companies around the Air force base in Takoradi, without considering the security implications, whilst we have a lot of undeveloped land in this wonderful region. This is a serious omission on the part of the negotiators, by not factoring into the agreement with the oil companies a provision that in consultation with the Chiefs, land would be allocated for them to build their offices. If such a clause had been included during their negotiating, it would have gone a long way to help the development of the area as other companies which are linked to the oil companies would follow suit.

As an indigene from the Western Region, I would say, kudos to our Great Chiefs for carrying the voice of the western Region. The Government/Parliament should heed their request and even go beyond this request, giving greater attention to the hand that feeds the Nation. So that the Western Region can properly match up to the accolade ‘’ the best always comes from the west’’. For we do not deserve the ‘worst’.


Charles Nanabanyin Onuawonto Bissue
charlesbissue@yahoo.co.uk
(Law & Business LL.B (Hons)
(International Business Law LL.M pending)