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Timing is right for Ghana to take-off
- Yamson
Accra, Jan 19, GNA - Dr Ishmael Yamson, former chairman of
Unilever Ghana, on Thursday said the timing was right and
circumstances most attractive now for Ghana to make the
right choices for economic take off.
He said Ghanaians must be paranoid about good quality
leadership and develop an inspiring long-term vision to
create a competitive economy that would be recognised by
present and future generations.
"Let us be paranoid about the quality of our
leadership...let us be paranoid about balancing our
political, economic and social goals, and above all, let us
be paranoid about accepting that only good behaviours and
values will build sustainable, prosperous economy,” Dr
Yamson said at a Development Forum Lecture in Accra.
The Lecture organised by the Ghana Institute of Management
and Public Administration (GIMPA) and the British Council,
was on the theme: “Ghana Today: How ready are we for take
off and the Agenda for Change."
Dr Yamson recalled the good economic performance of Ghana at
independence, with a per capita income of around 400
dollars, saying at the time, it was probably the best in
sub-Saharan Africa, and same as Malaysia.
He noted that despite Ghana's retrogression while the rest
of the world made huge progress, the country has now
established participatory democracy, underpinned by
relatively strong democratic institutions.
He observed that discipline in fiscal and monetary policy
management of the economy has also been restored.
He however noted that major challenges still remained as the
nation still remained among the poor with high levels of
unemployment and a precariously donor dependent economy,
adding that more than 80 per cent of the country’s
investment budget is financed by donors.
Other development challenges, according to Dr Yamson, are
high rural urban drift, deteriorating standards of education
and an uncompetitive economy.
Comparing the performance of the Ghanaian economy with that
of Vietnam, Malaysia, Botswana and Singapore, Dr Yamsom
reiterated that Ghana could leapfrog to the levels of those
countries with a transformational leadership, a clear long
term vision, as well as defined and committed strategies.
He urged the leadership to create a competitive economy,
driven by public private partnership, and balance the
political as well as socio-economic goals, focussing on
poverty alleviation.
"Our behaviours and values as Ghanaians require seismic
change. We should for instance frown upon, and not justify
corruption.
"We should be prepared to deal firmly with poor performance
and not protect people because of party or tribal
affiliations. It is going to be demanding on us all but we
must stand firm. Good values protect best people," Dr Yamson
held.
Mr Ken Ofori-Atta, Chief Executive Officer of Databank
Limited, commended the politics of inclusion, saying it was
a new maturity.
He said the challenge of the country was to sustain its
inclusive democracy and utilise the best talents to drive a
sustained growth agenda to create wealth and eliminate
poverty.
Mr Ofori-Atta said the nation must go for leaders who
declare a righteous agenda for change, adding that the
citizenry should demand integrity from leaders.
Prof Steve Adei, the Rector of GIMPA, chaired the event.
GNA
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