Read Comments Comments (21)

• Ato John 12 years ago

  That was some reading, and a very radical thought. And as much as I agree with you on the thought of having a grip on our resources and it's management, I will to differ.
  
  I believe we need a new crop of leadership who are ...
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  That was some reading, and a very radical thought. And as much as I agree with you on the thought of having a grip on our resources and it's management, I will to differ.
  
  I believe we need a new crop of leadership who are selfless and dedicated, willing and bold to initiate a renegotiation of the running and management of institutions involved in all aspect of our economy.
  
  Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom and the PPP have said time and time again to use the national purchasing power to develop our economy. Our natural resources is our purchasing power and we can't ignore foreign participation in the growth of our national economy.
  
  What we need is someone who is not afraid of foreign investment but someone who is bold and pragmatic, and will sit with foreign partners on an equal footing, in the interest of Ghana and all Ghanaians irrespective of party affiliation or ethnicity.
  
  We need someone who will use education and training as tool of development not see it as a privilege, we need someone who will science and technology as the essence of development.
  
  And at this very moment in Ghana there are many who are capable but only one of the has been bold enough to put himself forward for this mammoth task. Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom and the PPP will work with all will and capable Ghanaians with the requisit talent and capabilities to move Ghana into the middle income status. There are many who will work for the development of Ghana but for the partisan nature of our present core of leaders who are so self seeking that they do not see the hounor and glory in working for the people.
  
  GHANA AWAKE AND BE PROGRESSIVE FOR DEVELOPMENT AND ECONOMIC FREEDOM.

  reply
• Kofi of Africa 12 years ago

  Ato John,
  
  Thank you for your response. I will quote and respond to relevant texts.
  
  1) You state: 'I will...differ.' Throughout your rejoinder you actually agree with what I say, but in less defined ways.
  
  2) 'I belie ...
  read full comment

  Ato John,
  
  Thank you for your response. I will quote and respond to relevant texts.
  
  1) You state: 'I will...differ.' Throughout your rejoinder you actually agree with what I say, but in less defined ways.
  
  2) 'I believe we need a new crop of leadership who are selfless and dedicated, willing and bold to initiate a renegotiation of the running and management of institutions involved in all aspect of our economy.'
  
  The PNDC-NDC-NPP-NDC IMF-SAP gravy train, has presided over the wanton sale of all our key economic sectors, FREEHOLD, to the diktats of the IMF-SAP/World Bank and their hand-picked western Transnational-Corporations (TNCs).
  
  TNCs even control our Stock Exchange, and give us a stipend of US$500 million to help support our annual budget (while repatriating over US$8 billion between them)!
  
  When meek, 'asumdwee Hene' ex-Pres. Mills attempted to renegotiate buying about 50% stake in the oil industry, the US asphyxiated him through overwhelming, intimidating teams of top lawyers, engineers, diplomats, business men and CIA operatives.
  
  Why will pro-US Nduom (who habitually canvasses for his election funds in the US before every election) be different? What economic road-map can he lead his PPP to cartograph and surpass the direct, comprehensive, courageous, patriotic nationalisation I propose? Can the PPP even dare consider nationalisation as a no-option economic module?
  
  3) 'Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom and the PPP...Our natural resources is our purchasing power and we can't ignore foreign participation in the growth of our national economy.'
  
  This is exactly the conundrum the PPP finds itself. It on one hand agrees with me our commodity resources is our national purchasing power, but on the other hand fails to adumbrate the innovative steps they will take to negotiate and gain majority controlling shares, or even brook outright nationalisation.
  
  The PPP also fails to specify a Development and Modernisation Programme (DMP), a sine qua non to Ghana's/Africa's industrialisation, and the attendant benefits I state.
  
  4) 'What we need is someone who is not afraid of foreign investment...old and pragmatic, and will sit with foreign partners on an equal footing...Ghana.'
  
  Fine rhetoric. But as I say above, how? If the IMF-SAP felt Ghanaian leaders were of equal footing, would they have hermetically exploited us for 31 years since 1982, out of the economic heirloom Dr. Nkrumah bequeathed us?
  
  No. Our pro-west, deferential leaders (NDC, NPP, PPP, etc) must stop being naive and LEAD.
  
  4) 'We need someone who will use education and training as tool of development...need someone who will science and technology as the essence of development.' This exemplifies the agreement I refer at the onset.
  
  5) 'There are many who will work for the development of Ghana but for the partisan nature of our present core of leaders who are so self seeking that they do not see the honour and glory in working for the people.' I couldn't agree better.
  
  Regards.

  reply
• focus 12 years ago

  Kofi of Africa, you seem to be no different than the local media who are in bed with the governments after the 1966 coup. You all borrow good sense sometimes but balk at supporting people who could help Ghana develop!
  You ...
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  Kofi of Africa, you seem to be no different than the local media who are in bed with the governments after the 1966 coup. You all borrow good sense sometimes but balk at supporting people who could help Ghana develop!
  You respond and attack a whole PPP and its founder without bordering to read and understand the 10 ponit agenda of the party. Why? Because like many of the local media, you do not think through what you say but only focus on condemning anything that threatens your opinion and your sponsors.
  
  For your information, Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom has singly done more for this country with his own money and enterprising methods than our governments and other commentators like you. It's not too late to congratulate the Nduoms of Ghana and encourage them to do more instead of writing those shortsighted responses to other opinions. If nothing at all, he employs thousands and offer hope for the youth and many families in Ghana. Could you say the same for your sponsors?
  
  For your assignment, read and understand the 10 Point Platform of the PPP. It is a practical solution to our problems. I dare you to go through each paragraph and tell the people the truth.
  Ghana is for all of us and we should help ourselves, not tear each other apart. Now go back and do a better research and come again.
  Nice try though....

  reply
• Ato John 12 years ago

  Thank you Focus

  Thank you Focus

  reply
• Kofi of Africa 12 years ago

  focus,
  
  I am focused on researching the relevant issues that affect the development of the abject poor, ignorant and powerless Ghanaian/African.
  
  The PPP does not feature in my thinking. Sorry to disappoint you.
  
  Regar ...
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  focus,
  
  I am focused on researching the relevant issues that affect the development of the abject poor, ignorant and powerless Ghanaian/African.
  
  The PPP does not feature in my thinking. Sorry to disappoint you.
  
  Regards

  reply
• Kojo T 12 years ago

  Kofi you are getting there. Let us be honest IMF or WB solutions were what the NPP suggested. All Nkrumahs projects were abandoned instead of being made to grow. We did not have local entrepreneurs to mop up so we let go a go ...
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  Kofi you are getting there. Let us be honest IMF or WB solutions were what the NPP suggested. All Nkrumahs projects were abandoned instead of being made to grow. We did not have local entrepreneurs to mop up so we let go a golden opportunity. Now you advocate thesame. Unfortunately 50 years on the same NPP people talk and talk but do not invest. They let us down. But worse they will shoot down a United Africa with the capacity to do the same things you want . That is our dilema

  reply
• Kofi of Africa 12 years ago

  Kojo T,
  
  I agree with you wholly. Ghana must launch a 10-15 year Development and Modernisation Programme. This is the only way we will transform our nation into a modern state. The IMF-SAP has not worked for 31 years. It wi ...
  read full comment

  Kojo T,
  
  I agree with you wholly. Ghana must launch a 10-15 year Development and Modernisation Programme. This is the only way we will transform our nation into a modern state. The IMF-SAP has not worked for 31 years. It will never work. The private sector is too much buy-and-sell to be the motor for our modernisation. The state must lead our economic transformation with the assistance of the private sector.
  
  Regards.

  reply
• Ato John 12 years ago

  Kofi, you have a point that I agree with you on Ghana managing it's own affairs and destiny but not through nationalization. In this 21st century one cannot live in isolation, I am sure you will agree with me on that point. A ...
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  Kofi, you have a point that I agree with you on Ghana managing it's own affairs and destiny but not through nationalization. In this 21st century one cannot live in isolation, I am sure you will agree with me on that point. And I do not do rhetoric nor do I attack personalities.
  
  Yes Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom is Us trained and you can call him pro US, tell me is it wrong to emulate someone who is doing right for himself.
  
  The US is doing for it's people what is best for them, so I don't think being pro US means Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom is a stooge as you want to insinuate, he has got balls and the courage to stand up to the US, WB and the IMF, and he knows and believes in Ghana and that Ghanaians are much more than capable of taking care of their own destinies.
  
  I will send you the ten point agenda of the PPP so if you are not conversant with it so you can then acquaint yourself. My little write up is very much to the point and you might want to read it again, this time with an open mind to see that the PPP has a positive agenda for Ghana.
  
  Regards.

  reply
• Ato John 12 years ago

  That was some reading, and a very radical thought. And as much as I agree with you on the thought of having a grip on our resources and it's management.
  
  I believe we need a new crop of leadership who are selfless and dedic ...
  read full comment

  That was some reading, and a very radical thought. And as much as I agree with you on the thought of having a grip on our resources and it's management.
  
  I believe we need a new crop of leadership who are selfless and dedicated, willing and bold to initiate a renegotiation of the running and management of institutions involved in all aspect of our economy.
  
  Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom and the PPP have said time and time again to use the national purchasing power to develop our economy. Our natural resources is our purchasing power and we can't ignore foreign participation in the growth of our national economy.
  
  What we need is someone who is not afraid of foreign investment but someone who is bold and pragmatic, and will sit with foreign partners on an equal footing, in the interest of Ghana and all Ghanaians irrespective of party affiliation or ethnicity.
  
  We need someone who will use education and training as tool of development not see it as a privilege, we need someone who will science and technology as the essence of development.
  
  And at this very moment in Ghana there are many who are capable but only one of the has been bold enough to put himself forward for this mammoth task. Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom and the PPP will work with all will and capable Ghanaians with the requisit talent and capabilities to move Ghana into the middle income status. There are many who will work for the development of Ghana but for the partisan nature of our present core of leaders who are so self seeking that they do not see the hounor and glory in working for the people.
  
  GHANA AWAKE AND BE PROGRESSIVE FOR DEVELOPMENT AND ECONOMIC FREEDOM.

  reply
• Taharka 12 years ago

  Kofi I agree with the main points of your arguments however, one of the reasons Ghana is peaceful is precisely because Ghana is doing the bidding of those racist Vampires the IMF, WB and WTO African Americans on the streets o ...
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  Kofi I agree with the main points of your arguments however, one of the reasons Ghana is peaceful is precisely because Ghana is doing the bidding of those racist Vampires the IMF, WB and WTO African Americans on the streets of Brooklyn, call the IMF the International Mother F**** for good reason.
  
  If Ghana ever decided to nationalise key commodities like oil it would mean war a very bloody war against and within Ghana by these very same bodies. Do not separate the death of the Black teenagers by white thugs Stephen Lawrence UK, Trayvon Martin USA from the general miss-treatment of African nations by the likes of the IMF. Which in reality get their instructions from Wall Street and London if anyone thinks I’m talking nonsense see what would happen if Ghana decided to denominate Ghana’s oil in Euros or the Chinese renminbi rather than the violence backed dollar, demanded 60% royalties from mining concessions. Any President that pushed this would go the way of Gaddafi, S Hussain, Patrice Lumumba when are African Governments going to understand these people verge between hating us and feeling pity. The way an animal rights campaigner would feel about a small dog

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• PK 12 years ago

  Taharka, you have genuine concerns, but emancipate yourself from mental slavery. We can't continue blaming the IMF and World Bank ad infinitum. These Washington banksters only succeed to usurp our national policies because ou ...
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  Taharka, you have genuine concerns, but emancipate yourself from mental slavery. We can't continue blaming the IMF and World Bank ad infinitum. These Washington banksters only succeed to usurp our national policies because our leaders can't think outside the box.
  
  And, Kofi Africa, for every Lumumba or Nkrumah you cite, remember there are Lee Kuan Yews, who were no puppets of the West but succeeded to steer their nation to long-term economic success, ironically in dependence on Western markets, technology and even capital in some cases. Why did Lee, who consistently opposed Western attempt to make Singapore a client Asian democracy, last but Nkrumah did not? The answer lies in their respective skills at geopolitical statecraft.

  reply
• Kofi of Africa 12 years ago

  PK,
  
  I will quote you and comment:
  
  1) 'We can't continue blaming the IMF and World Bank ad infinitum'. That is exactly why I post this feature article to suggest independent, innovative ways we can develop and modernise ...
  read full comment

  PK,
  
  I will quote you and comment:
  
  1) 'We can't continue blaming the IMF and World Bank ad infinitum'. That is exactly why I post this feature article to suggest independent, innovative ways we can develop and modernise Ghana/Africa.
  
  2) 'Kofi Africa, for every Lumumba or Nkrumah you cite, remember there are Lee Kuan Yews...no puppets of the West ...succeeded to steer their nation to long-term economic success...'
  
  PK, you have already provided for me the answer you seek. You state, 'We can't continue blaming the IMF and World Bank ad infinitum.' I blame the IMF-SAP for the good reasons I detail in my article.
  
  I have not mentioned Lee, because I think Dr. Nkrumah's Ghana provided better solutions (before Lee even ascended the political stage) within the specific historical context of Ghana's past economic mercantile relationship with the west.
  
  Singapore did not lose its dynamic people through European plantation Slavery. It had better infrastructure and a higher educated classes, compared to the near-zero situation Dr. Nkrumah excellently reverse.
  
  Ghana has not got the same geo-political advantages Singapore had/has, in gaining massive Japanese, US and western technology and investment. Also, Ghana has a very weak local private industrial sector. Commerce is mainly concentrated in service, consumer goods import-export sector. Its banking, Stock Exchange and Chamber of Commerce are relatively recent.
  
  3) 'Why did Lee, who consistently opposed Western attempt to make Singapore a client Asian democracy, last but Nkrumah did not? The answer lies in their respective skills at geopolitical statecraft.' I disagree.
  
  Nkrumah was a socialist, Pan-Africanist, black-skinned African who was the most successful leader, both in Africa and the Non-Alignment economically industrialising world. This was in the in cauldron called, 'Cold War'(the most intensive ideological fracture between east-west). Lee Kuan Yew was a Chinese (his people were indentured but not enslaved during the European Plantation Slavery). Hence, he would have been more respected by racist western supremacist leaders.
  
  Lastly, Lee was a capitalist. Nkrumah was a socialist, Pan-Africanist. The west had more ideological allegiance and sympathy with Lee than Nkrumah.
  
  Think originally 'outside the box' of even Lee Kuan Yew. Analyse correctly Ghana/Africa historicity first!
  
  Regards.

  reply
• Kofi of Africa 12 years ago

  Dear Taharka,
  
  Thank you for agreeing with my key arguments for nationalisation. However, I must allay your fears about possible mayhem should our leaders decide to nationalise our key economic sectors.
  
  1) First, the und ...
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  Dear Taharka,
  
  Thank you for agreeing with my key arguments for nationalisation. However, I must allay your fears about possible mayhem should our leaders decide to nationalise our key economic sectors.
  
  1) First, the undeclared threat of the west's possible military attack, or covert ferment of civil war in Ghana/Africa because our leaders have acted decisively and correctly in our national/continental self interest, is no way to lead a people.
  
  Such thinking is the kind that resides in the psychology of a classic neocolonial leader. It is an example of the mental slavery Bob Marley sings about in his Redemption Song. It is purely self-imposed. Hence, we must emancipate our minds from it.
  
  2) I agree this is a possibility (the NATO-planned assassination and parading of Gadaffi's body through the streets of Libya) typifies the CIA's intimidating tactic to put the fear of god in African leaders. Even if it weren't so, our leaders must still factor this a possibility in their analysis. They must devise intelligent counter measures to both protect themselves and our nation/continent from covert western or eastern insurgencies.
  
  They must, for example, be judicious about their personal, social, economic, political, cultural and military interactions with these potentially malevolent foreigners.
  
  3) It makes no sense for our presidents to zoom their private jets to their hospitals for health treatments. It is wiser to resource, train our doctors and nurses, upgrade own hospitals for their/our excellent care. Cuba exemplifies this.
  
  4) Ghana/Africa has now abandoned its agricultural/food policy to Pioneer Du Pont and High-Seeds Co (US Genetically Modified Companies). Most of our maize, tomatoes, beans and other food varieties, are GMOs. Now there are frequent news reports of conjoined twins dying from this or that operation. Again, it is smart to plug all the holes through which wicked foreigners can pollute our food, water, military, corruptible political parties, etc. can sabotage us.
  
  5) The west has never stopped being vicious in undermining Ghanaian/Africa leaders since their first adventurist, mercantile contact with our people in 1492! Yet, although they tried killing him (eventually ousted him in 1966 through the rightwing UP/Mate Me Ho/NLM - pro-west conservative precursors to the NPP today) Dr. Nkrumah successfully led us into Independence and launched two Development Programs (5-year/7-year).
  
  Did the west not enslave our people and colonise us politically? Yet, was the Aborigines Rights Protection Society (ARPS) - the first major Ghanaian political group that built the liberation blocks for the conservative United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC); and Dr. Nkrumah's socialist/Pan-Africanist, Convention People's Party (CPP) - not lead Ghana/Africa to independence?
  
  6) Lastly, I advise Ghanaians/Africans to disabuse their minds from all forms of negative thinking, that self-sanctions us from implementing development programmes that will increase the quality of our lives - empower our abject poor, ignorant and powerless people. We must do what we need to do to free ourselves forever.
  
  An elderly CPP functionary once told me this anecdote, about how the audience at Arena (where Dr. Nkrumah often made his anti-colonialism speeches) loved his big words: 'In our struggle for freedom, we must fear nothing but fear itself...Every thing else is bugaboo!' Come see uproarious celebration of big brofo (English)!!
  
  Once all our national security concerns are intelligently addressed, our leaders ('Chief-in-Command' of our armed forces) must lead with the same level of sacrifice they will send our soldiers to courageously die to defend our nation/continent!
  
  Regards.

  reply
• truth 12 years ago

  we dont need the world bank and imf in Ghana, they have to pack and go back to their countries

  we dont need the world bank and imf in Ghana, they have to pack and go back to their countries

  reply
• Kofi of Africa 12 years ago

  Truth,
  
  I agree.
  
  Regards.

  Truth,
  
  I agree.
  
  Regards.

  reply
• Yakub 12 years ago

  Just a few of my thoughts:
  
  Africa Kofi, just because the man solicits funds from America to help fund his campaign in Ghana does not make him pro-America. And by the way, how did Kwame Nkrumah build the whole Akosombo dam ...
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  Just a few of my thoughts:
  
  Africa Kofi, just because the man solicits funds from America to help fund his campaign in Ghana does not make him pro-America. And by the way, how did Kwame Nkrumah build the whole Akosombo dam and Aluminum factory and other things in Ghana? Don't we have well to do Ghanaians in the USA? Should we neglect our brothers and sisters in the USA in the development of Ghana? Dr. Nduom went to school in the USA just like Kwame Nkrumah and like Kwame, he has done positive things for his country and continues to do so. If narrow minded people like you, will support people like him, Ghana will succeed in developing many things.
  If people like you,Africa Kofi, will begin to realize that we need each other to succeed instead of tearing each other apart, we will all benefit from great things in Ghana.
  So what is preventing people like you, Africa Kofi, from working together? What you have written is nothing new; we've read them over and over again from many sources and you will not be the last.
  
  What we need is a writer who will make the difference in trying to get all the brains to work together- an effort to bridge the opposing sides for a way forward.
  It is very important that we write to unify than this continuous vilification of individuals instead of seeing the big picture. Dr. Nduom has contributed his bit and continues to do so despite the Africa Kofi lots of Ghana. What Dr. Nduom does works; it brings food and shelter to Ghanaians. And may I ask, "what the people are yearning for?" It's about time we encourage him and others who are sidelined because they fear writers like Africa Kofi.
  Wake up, Ghana!!!

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• Ato John 12 years ago

  Thanks Yakubu

  Thanks Yakubu

  reply
• Lawya Kris 12 years ago

  I wonder how come our NDC-NPP-NDC leaders apishly swallow hook, line and sinker this hogwash of WB/IMF forked-tongue narratives.

  I wonder how come our NDC-NPP-NDC leaders apishly swallow hook, line and sinker this hogwash of WB/IMF forked-tongue narratives.

  reply