A GOOD JOB DONE (NOV 12, 2010)

ONE factor that has contributed to undermining the tempo and depth of the socio-economic development of the nation is the speed with which succeeding governments move to dismantle projects and programmes instituted by their predecessors, even when those projects have amply proved to be in the supreme national interest.
Nowhere has this negative phenomenon been more manifest than in the industrial and manufacturing sectors where, soon after the overthrow of Dr Kwame Nkrumah and the Convention People’s Party (CPP) government by the military cum police junta, a process was set in motion to dismantle everything that he did, including his industrialisation programme.
Important industrial and manufacturing concerns started in virtually every part of the country were forcibly shut down and, in many cases, valuable plant and machinery looted and totally dismantled or abandoned.
Here, mention could be made of the atomic reactor at Kwabenya, the glass factory at Aboso, the sugar factory at Asutsuare, the meat factory in Bolgatanga, the State farms at Ejura and many other places across the country.
These important state enterprises did not only provide jobs for thousands of Ghanaians and their dependants but also created significant wealth for the nation.
They also contributed to the strengthening of the country’s bid to industrialise, reduce imports, become more self- reliant and propel Ghana to a middle-income status even before many countries in Europe, Asia and Latin America which today are far ahead of us on the development ladder.
Notwithstanding these serious setbacks, we are happy today that the government is not enthused by this narrow logic of which regime instituted what project but is concerned about the extent to which projects or programmes advance the national interest.
The continuation of projects and programmes of past governments by the current government bears eloquent testimony to this move to bury this negative past and institute a progressive policy for the future.
We are elated that an agreement has been reached between the government and its Czech Republic counterpart to rehabilitate a number of projects which were abandoned after the overthrow of Dr Nkrumah on February 24, 1966.
The agreement for the revamping of the glass, shoe and sugar factories at Aboso, Kumasi and Asutsuare, respectively, followed the visit by the Vice-President, Mr John Dramani Mahama, to the Czech Republic and his fruitful interaction with the leaders of that European country.
There can be no doubt about the fact that the rehabilitation and commencement of operations at these enterprises will create many jobs to put money in the pockets of many Ghanaians and also contribute to relieve pressure on the government from the teaming mass of unemployed people.
These enterprises will also contribute to the diversification of the national economy, add value to our exports, increase technology transfer to Ghanaians and increase the stock of wealth to lend credence to the quest for a better and more prosperous and peaceful Ghana.
While we say Ayekoo to the Vice-President and the government for chalking up these feats, we will not go back to rest on the strength of the belief that we are through with everything.
All the necessary arrangements for the Czech team due to visit the country next month for appraisal works to conclude the deal must be made now so that the commencement period could be brought forward. We cant wait.
The immense goodwill that this country enjoys among the international community, including China, Japan, the US, Britain, the IMF, the World Bank, etc, as a result of the selflessness and committed leadership demonstrated, must be tapped to the full for the supreme benefit of our nation and its people.