Paths to Nowhere: Africa’s Endless Walk to Economic Freedom

Copyright © 2019 by Samuel Appiah-Kubi.

Library of Congress Control Number:              2019902545

ISBN:                  Hardcover                     978-1-7960-1898-1

                            Softcover                       978-1-7960-1897-4

                            eBook                            978-1-7960-1896-7

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Rev. date: 03/14/2019

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CONTENTS

Preface

Chapter 1     Hope: The Inspirational Path

Chapter 2     Resource Waste: The Path Of Poverty

Chapter 3     Governance Institutions: The Path Of Disorder

Chapter 4     Lawlessness: The Bumpy Path

Chapter 5     Dependency Mind-Set: The Path Of Stagnation

Chapter 6     Education: The Path To Aliens Citizenry

Chapter 7     Corruption: The Path Of Individualism And Division

Chapter 8     Technology And Data Management: The Necessary But Neglected Path

Chapter 9     Donor Partners: The Borrowed Path

Chapter 10   The African Dream: The Promising Paths

Referencing

PREFACE

As the full moon lights up the African night skies, many people in the not quite distant past will gather to listen to stories from older folks. From tales and myths to religious stories and history, the stories told in the cool of the night was what every child in the towns and villages looked forward to. These stories helped to entertain and educate the African child. A few decades ago, I used to sit among the young people in the New Atwene area who gathered at the compound of my late father to listen to such stories.

My favorite stories were the stories of colonization in Africa and the struggle for liberation from colonial governments. I was particularly enthralled by the plight of the African under colonial rule and the resistance from the Asante Kingdom that, fought and at times defeated the white man who tried to establish their form of governance and control over my tribesmen. Stories about how the black man was treated in his own land were horrifying but intriguing to hear. What was more inspiring was the bravery of those who resisted the ‘oppressors’ rule.

The courage and wisdom of the freedom fighters was captivating. The support these courageous men received from people in far and nearby countries where they used to run to in times of persecution were captivating. Of much interest to me were the reasons behind the independence struggle and why they chose to risk their lives and often spend years in exile. To those who had the opportunity to listen to the stories, the love and commitment demonstrated by these brave men to the land Africa and the continent’s future generation were so inspirational.

The memory of the life under colonial rule, the struggle for independence and the process of independence was so fresh on my father’s mind that a lot of the moonlight stories centered on late years of the Gold Coast and the early years of modern Ghana. He made us understand that he was part of the strikes, the protests, the voting, and the non-violent activities that culminated in the independence of the Gold Coast-Modern day Ghana- in 1957. He played an active part in the process because of us-the younger folks. He admits that, though he was not in the frontlines of the struggle, he was with the masses that were prepared to give up their lives so that the generations after them would have better lives.

As common to all oral stories, what happened may have been exaggerated, understated or told as it was. What remains factual is the control from foreigners on the land of the black man in the colonial period and the euphoria that greeted the independence of the nations of Africa and their resolve to build more prosperous countries. The welcoming knowledge that the gold resources of the former Gold Coast were now in the hands of Ghanaians and the expectations of a brighter future for Ghana was on my mind as I grew up. It even influenced my choice of course of study at the university as I concentrated on economics and political science because I was inspired by my father’s stories of old to acquire knowledge to help in the building of our nation and to assist in the equitable distribution of our nation’s resources.

Fast forward to modern times, Africa has had many post-independence success stories. However, the sentiments being expressed by most Africans especially the youth reveals that all is not well with African countries as many are economically weak and engulfed in unsustainable debts. The higher percentage of the reportedly booming economic activities of many African countries do not accrue to the people of Africa but migrants from other continents. Only a few Africans are able to tap into the economic activities of their lands, a situation that is widening the income gap and sending the more significant percentage of the population into poverty. Most economies are not expanding enough for the growing population raising unemployment to unprecedented levels. The statistics are becoming scary with each passing day and fast approaching the tipping point.

Many who are unable to tap into Africa’s prosperity are resorting to all forms of activities that can best be described as desperate attempts for survival. The desperate attempts are evident in many ways and all of them are threatening to the peace and security of Africa.

Engaging in criminal activities, violent demonstrations, joining militants and terror groups and embarking on dangerous journeys to countries that seem to offer better opportunities are some of the desperate attempts.

I was motivated to write this piece because it appears the leadership in Africa do not appreciate the gravity of the situation. If they do, then there may be something wrong with the course of action that is being taken to address the multi-faceted challenge. Though the leadership may be aware of the situation, I hope this little piece might cause them to have a second look at the factors they might have overlooked or deliberately ignored. I also hope this piece will inspire the ordinary African who have already given up and are throwing their hands in despair to arise and play their part in addressing the present challenge because they have consciously or unconsciously been part of the of the problem. They remained silent while elected leaders exercised powers they have including the powers they don’t have over them. They prefer ‘gambling’ with shortcuts to success rather than going through the whole process which though has extended gestation period, has a higher success rate.

Economic independence is within reach of many African countries, but the actions on the part of the rulers and the inactions of the ruled may perpetuate the status quo. I fear that the situation might get worse if the right actions are deferred. I believe this piece will motivate the leaders to take the much-needed actions no matter how tough it may be to address the concerns of the present generation for the good of future generations. I also believe the masses will better appreciate any seemingly uncomfortable actions that their leaders may take in the interest of their respective countries and be patient for prudent and sustainable measures to take roots instead of the usual quick, superficial programs. In a globalized world, I also believe other players outside the continent of Africa will also support Africa’s efforts at building stronger economies as the economic success of African States holds immeasurable benefits to the world.

I have had the opportunity to travel to many countries in Africa and have interacted with Africans from different backgrounds and ethnic groupings. Moreover, on the airplanes, I have sat next to bound and loosed African deportees, and I have heard the returning migrants narrate their ordeals. I have listened to the African speak. I have listened to the stories of Africans who are successful in various sectors of the economy, and I have heard the stories of the disadvantaged and poor African. Though differences exist, there are many similarities. In my opinion, many of the discussion with the advantaged have greedy undertones, while many of the disadvantaged want a decent life.

I am more touched by the stories of the disadvantaged because it reminds me of the stories under the moonlights of Akomadan some years ago. My father’s generation shared similar frustrations under the colonial government. Like the story of the animal farm, the circumstances that called for joint efforts to overthrow the oppressor has re-emerged, probably in its worst form under the administration of fellow freedom fighters. Paths to nowhere is a reflection of the issues that are working against the African man’s hope of better life echoed from the distant voices along the pathways in rural Africa to the cries that are often lost in the noisy and busy streets of urban Africa.

To serve as a public officer and to be served by a public officer in Ghana and by extension in Africa are two different experiences and I have had the opportunity to experience both. Paths to Nowhere is written because the African situation is a ticking time bomb that is ready to explode. Unless something is urgently done to reverse the trend, an explosion is imminent, and the consequences might be disastrous. A cue from the Arab springs, suggests that, when all the remote causes are set, it takes just one action such as a frustrated person setting himself on fire to set in motion series of uncontrollable events. From all indications, the remote justification for disastrous events may be established, and a spark is all that is needed to trigger an explosion.

This book is not intended to attack any individual, group of people, country, government, institution, or system. It is meant to bring the issues on the mind of many Africans to the attention of all Africans and the global community so that together, we can support Africa to fulfill her dreams and probably to avert a potential threat to global peace and security.

CHAPTER ONE

Hope: The Inspirational Path

You have to dream before your dreams can come true.

—A. P. J. Abdul Kalam

GHANA: AN EXEMPLARY COUNTRY ON A NEW PATH

After years of colonial rule in Africa, Ghana became the first black African country to attain independence from the British colonial rule in 1957. Hopes were high as well as prospects. The country had abundant natural resources, including timber, gold, bauxite, diamonds, manganese, limestone, and several others. The postindependence euphoria was high as Ghana carried the hope of black Africa. Indeed, at independence, the first president of Ghana, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, in delivering the first independence speech at the independence square in Accra on March 6, 1957, made bold declarations that attracted the attention of Africa’s friends and enemies. He affirmed that Ghana was going to be a proof to the rest of the world that the black man can independently manage a country for the good of the citizenry.

At the center of Ghana’s new flag, a black star is boldly embossed. To those who laid the foundation stones of the new black African state, the black star was an indication that the country was to be the shining star of Africa, an exemplary nation that the rest of black Africa will from thence look up to and be inspired by its political and economic freedom so they can also fight for their independence. President Nkrumah advocated that Ghana’s freedom is meaningless unless it is linked up with the total liberation of Africa. Earlier, on the eve of Ghana’s independence, he had declared that Ghana’s independence was to prove to the world that the black man is capable of managing his own affairs.A⁶

What it meant was that Ghana, which had attained political independence, was now treading on a new path—a path toward a different kind of independence, which was to attain economic independence while inspiring and supporting her other African counterparts to fight for their version of political independence. The inspiration yielded fruitful results as more than thirty other African countries followed the steps of Ghana and fought their way to political independence within the next decade.

Ghana’s ability to overcome the struggle and free herself from colonial rule and form its government and systems was celebrated by Africans both on the continent and in the Diaspora. The Africans in the Diaspora, who were also fighting their kind of oppression outside the continent of Africa, joined in the celebration and found it necessary to take a pilgrimage to the land that has given so much hope to Africans and people of African descent. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X, who at that time were playing leading roles in the fight for equal rights for black America, found it necessary to visit the new black African state. W. E. B. DuBois, an American civil rights activist and a Pan-African, immigrated to Ghana and chose to make Ghana his new home, even after death.

The hope and belief of the people in the new black African state were kindled mainly because of the notion that their taxes were no longer going to serve the interest of the oppressive white leaders but was going to be used to enhance the welfare of the black people. The revenues from the country’s rich mineral fields were going to be used to develop the infrastructure that will provide the welfare needs of the Ghanaian. The cocoa and other farm products from the fertile soils of the country were to be harnessed to the benefit of the African.

The whole setup was that Ghana was on the path toward realizing the African dream. When Kwame Nkrumah took over from the colonial rule, he embarked on