Either by divine or political design, Ghana finds itself surrounded by French-speaking countries. But, sad to say, it appears that most Ghanaians, even at the official level, are reluctant to learn French, a development which, to say the least, has deprived Ghanaians of the opportunity to interact more with people from neighbouring countries.
A tutor of French at the Ghana National College in Cape Coast, Nana Akomea, in an interview with the Chronicle, hit the nail right on the head when he said Ghanaians had been failing to utilise the many opportunities that abound in West Africa because of their inability to speak French.
“It is a linguistic and cultural handicap facing many women and men of scholarship and leadership in Ghana, to the disadvantage of economic and strategic positions in the sub-region,” he lamented, noting that since 1963 no Ghanaian had become the Secretary-General of the African Union (AU) Commission.
Nana Akomea’s lamentations are well founded and it behoves the government and, indeed, every Ghanaian, to inculcate the learning of French into our daily activities, right from the basic level of the educational ladder.
The DAILY GRAPHIC thinks that regional integration, a policy that has been espoused by successive governments, has not been attained partly because on a person-to-person basis, Ghanaians cannot interact with citizens from other countries in the sub-region. And if individuals in the sub-region cannot get along well because of the language barrier, we don’t see how the whole region can get along as one body.
What is significant is that while Ghanaians shy away from learning French, citizens of Francophone countries go to all lengths to learn English so that they can interact with people from Anglophone countries.
That is why many people from Francophone countries can speak passable English and get by with it, while those of us from Ghana cannot speak passable French, even those of us who studied it up to some stage in secondary school.
So desirous are people from Francophone countries to speak English that when the Togolese national team encountered that unfortunate incident in Angola, Ghanaian journalists were able to speak with some of the players in English to get first-hand information and also know about their reaction to the incident.
And wasn’t that beautiful?
We pause to ask: Had Ghanaian players been caught in any challenges, how many of them could have spoken with French-speaking journalists?
Let us, as a nation, resolve to turn over a new leaf and make the learning of French, both at the formal and informal levels, a priority, so that we will not be found wanting when the need arises.
The DAILY GRAPHIC believes that if we start from the basic level of education by teaching our nursery and kindergarten pupils the rudiments of French, we can make a headway in our effort to ‘Frenchify’ ourselves and our country.
Our senior high schools and universities have language centres which can carry on the task from those levels, with the
objective of ensuring that everybody who leaves SHS should have a working knowledge of French.
When that is achieved, Ghanaians can then interact more with their counterparts from Francophone countries and also seize the numerous opportunities that abound in those countries.
Then, and only then, can we talk about sub-regional integration in the real sense of the word.
Let us act now, for now is the opportune time.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
CONTRIBUTE TO REVIEW PROCESS (JAN 11, 2010)
THE Constitution, under the Directive Principles of State Policy, mandates the state to take all the necessary steps to establish a sound and healthy economy whose underlying principles shall include the "recognition that the most secure democracy is the one that assures the basic necessities of life for its people as a fundamental duty".
More than 18 years after the Constitution has been in action, it has been realised that certain provisions have made it highly impossible to achieve the expectations of the people.
The near constitutional crisis caused by the run-off in 2008 must be an eye opener for the nation to take steps to avert a repetition in subsequent polls.
The transfer of power from one administration to the other should not be a chaotic one as the country witnessed in 2001 and in 2009.
In the specific case of the concerns expressed by participants in the just-ended New Year School, the change of the date for the general election can only be effected through an amendment to the Constitution.
The people have not forgotten the boycott of the parliamentary election in 1992 by other parties when Flt Lt J.J. Rawlings, the then presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), was declared winner of the presidential poll.
Article 112, Clause (4) of the Constitution states that "Subject to Clause (2) of Article 113 of the Constitution, a general election of members of Parliament shall be held within thirty days before the expiration of the period specified in Clause (1) of that article; and a session of Parliament shall be appointed to commence within fourteen days after the expiration of that period.
It is precisely to meet the demands of the provision that the EC, in consultation with the political parties, settled on December 7 as the day for the general election because any date earlier than that will be an infringement on that provision in the Constitution.
But there is a real challenge if we should stick to December 7 as the election day in view of how problematic the transition became on two previous occasions.
It is for this reason and other provisions that must be reviewed that the DAILY GRAPHIC disagrees with Prof. Kofi Kumado that the proposed constitutional review is "an exercise which can only be self-indulgence by the literate".
We concede that our people face massive problems and deprivations but that does not call for the postponement of the review of the Constitution, which is intended to remove the grey areas for effective governance.
There is a general consensus that the present assets declaration procedure must change if we are to be effective in the fight against corruption.
For if assets so declared by our leaders are published in the newspapers, those required to declare their assets will be judicious in the management of public funds.
Furthermore, the decoupling of the Ministry of Justice from the Attorney General's Department can only be effected by a constitutional review so that the Attorney General can have the autonomy to enforce anti-corruption laws.
Perhaps, the timing of the referendum can be a matter of concern but the review cannot be said to be a misplaced priority.
Looking back, the DAILY GRAPHIC can recount many public events on which money was wasted but certainly a constitutional review subject to public participation cannot be an organised waste of time and money.
As we kick-start the review today with the launch of the Constitutional Review Commission, the DAILY GRAPHIC calls on the people to volunteer information and memoranda that will turn the Constitution into a living document.
More than 18 years after the Constitution has been in action, it has been realised that certain provisions have made it highly impossible to achieve the expectations of the people.
The near constitutional crisis caused by the run-off in 2008 must be an eye opener for the nation to take steps to avert a repetition in subsequent polls.
The transfer of power from one administration to the other should not be a chaotic one as the country witnessed in 2001 and in 2009.
In the specific case of the concerns expressed by participants in the just-ended New Year School, the change of the date for the general election can only be effected through an amendment to the Constitution.
The people have not forgotten the boycott of the parliamentary election in 1992 by other parties when Flt Lt J.J. Rawlings, the then presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), was declared winner of the presidential poll.
Article 112, Clause (4) of the Constitution states that "Subject to Clause (2) of Article 113 of the Constitution, a general election of members of Parliament shall be held within thirty days before the expiration of the period specified in Clause (1) of that article; and a session of Parliament shall be appointed to commence within fourteen days after the expiration of that period.
It is precisely to meet the demands of the provision that the EC, in consultation with the political parties, settled on December 7 as the day for the general election because any date earlier than that will be an infringement on that provision in the Constitution.
But there is a real challenge if we should stick to December 7 as the election day in view of how problematic the transition became on two previous occasions.
It is for this reason and other provisions that must be reviewed that the DAILY GRAPHIC disagrees with Prof. Kofi Kumado that the proposed constitutional review is "an exercise which can only be self-indulgence by the literate".
We concede that our people face massive problems and deprivations but that does not call for the postponement of the review of the Constitution, which is intended to remove the grey areas for effective governance.
There is a general consensus that the present assets declaration procedure must change if we are to be effective in the fight against corruption.
For if assets so declared by our leaders are published in the newspapers, those required to declare their assets will be judicious in the management of public funds.
Furthermore, the decoupling of the Ministry of Justice from the Attorney General's Department can only be effected by a constitutional review so that the Attorney General can have the autonomy to enforce anti-corruption laws.
Perhaps, the timing of the referendum can be a matter of concern but the review cannot be said to be a misplaced priority.
Looking back, the DAILY GRAPHIC can recount many public events on which money was wasted but certainly a constitutional review subject to public participation cannot be an organised waste of time and money.
As we kick-start the review today with the launch of the Constitutional Review Commission, the DAILY GRAPHIC calls on the people to volunteer information and memoranda that will turn the Constitution into a living document.
ANOTHER BOOST FOR FARMERS (JAN 9, 2010)
Good yield from cocoa drives the direction of the national economy every year. It is for this reason that the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), with support from the government, puts in place measures to motivate the farmers to produce at optimum level.
Through the introduction of efficient extension services, as well as scientific methods of farm maintenance, the country's annual production was nearly doubled from about 300,000 metric tonnes to about 700,000 metric tonnes today.
Last year the government pegged the price of a tonne of cocoa at GH¢2,808 and on Thursday the price was raised to GH¢2,400 per tonne for the 2009/2010 season.
With the upward adjustment in price, the price per a bag of 64 kilogrammes is GH¢150 as compared to GH¢138 per bag announced in October last year.
Our governments do not joke with the demands of cocoa farmers because the crop remains the life blood of the country.
The decision to implement a Social Security Fund for cocoa farmers is a progressive move by the NDC government to help farmers to enjoy the sweat of their labour in their old age.
The government has done the best under the circumstances to satisfy the demands of our cocoa farmers but those near the border with Cote d'Ivoire think the government can do more.
Perhaps, because of the campaign pledges of our political parties, the farmers are not prepared to compromise but to demand that they are paid something close to the world price of the produce.
It is not surprising that anytime the price of cocoa is adjusted politicians from the political divide engage in the polemics to prove to the farmer that they have his welfare at heart and so given the mandate, they can do better.
The DAILY GRAPHIC believes we have come a long way in trying to improve the cocoa industry so that the people and the state can derive maximum benefits from the crop.
Presently, the government provides insecticides and pays gangs to spray all cocoa farms. Fertilisers are also sold to farmers at subsidised rates to enable them to take care of their farms properly to achieve maximum returns.
The good steps being taken by the government and COCOBOD to improve yield have not been recognised by only the farmers but others in the industry.
The efforts by Cadbury Ghana to sponsor extension officers to provide services to cocoa farmers in 100 communities are commendable and it is our hope that this endeavour yields positive results.
We are also convinced that extension services for farmers such as training and improved access to fertilisers and seedlings are critical to helping cocoa-growing communities to improve yields and livelihoods.
Although efforts are underway to diversify the production base of the economy, cocoa will continue to be the mainstay for more years to come.
It is for this reason that the DAILY GRAPHIC calls on the government to look at some of the demands of the cocoa farmer such as paying more than the present 70 per cent of the world market price to stem smuggling and stimulate increased productivity.
We know this may not be easy to achieve but in the interest of the industry, the government should find the means to motivate the farmers.
The DAILY GRAPHIC commends the government for fulfilling its pledge to adjust the price of cocoa when the need arises instead of the annual ritual in the past.
We also urge the cocoa farmers to reciprocate the gesture by producing more to ease the country's financial burden, even if the upward adjustment does not meet their expectations.
Through the introduction of efficient extension services, as well as scientific methods of farm maintenance, the country's annual production was nearly doubled from about 300,000 metric tonnes to about 700,000 metric tonnes today.
Last year the government pegged the price of a tonne of cocoa at GH¢2,808 and on Thursday the price was raised to GH¢2,400 per tonne for the 2009/2010 season.
With the upward adjustment in price, the price per a bag of 64 kilogrammes is GH¢150 as compared to GH¢138 per bag announced in October last year.
Our governments do not joke with the demands of cocoa farmers because the crop remains the life blood of the country.
The decision to implement a Social Security Fund for cocoa farmers is a progressive move by the NDC government to help farmers to enjoy the sweat of their labour in their old age.
The government has done the best under the circumstances to satisfy the demands of our cocoa farmers but those near the border with Cote d'Ivoire think the government can do more.
Perhaps, because of the campaign pledges of our political parties, the farmers are not prepared to compromise but to demand that they are paid something close to the world price of the produce.
It is not surprising that anytime the price of cocoa is adjusted politicians from the political divide engage in the polemics to prove to the farmer that they have his welfare at heart and so given the mandate, they can do better.
The DAILY GRAPHIC believes we have come a long way in trying to improve the cocoa industry so that the people and the state can derive maximum benefits from the crop.
Presently, the government provides insecticides and pays gangs to spray all cocoa farms. Fertilisers are also sold to farmers at subsidised rates to enable them to take care of their farms properly to achieve maximum returns.
The good steps being taken by the government and COCOBOD to improve yield have not been recognised by only the farmers but others in the industry.
The efforts by Cadbury Ghana to sponsor extension officers to provide services to cocoa farmers in 100 communities are commendable and it is our hope that this endeavour yields positive results.
We are also convinced that extension services for farmers such as training and improved access to fertilisers and seedlings are critical to helping cocoa-growing communities to improve yields and livelihoods.
Although efforts are underway to diversify the production base of the economy, cocoa will continue to be the mainstay for more years to come.
It is for this reason that the DAILY GRAPHIC calls on the government to look at some of the demands of the cocoa farmer such as paying more than the present 70 per cent of the world market price to stem smuggling and stimulate increased productivity.
We know this may not be easy to achieve but in the interest of the industry, the government should find the means to motivate the farmers.
The DAILY GRAPHIC commends the government for fulfilling its pledge to adjust the price of cocoa when the need arises instead of the annual ritual in the past.
We also urge the cocoa farmers to reciprocate the gesture by producing more to ease the country's financial burden, even if the upward adjustment does not meet their expectations.
ANOTHER BOOST FOR FARMERS (JAN 9, 2010)
Good yield from cocoa drives the direction of the national economy every year. It is for this reason that the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), with support from the government, puts in place measures to motivate the farmers to produce at optimum level.
Through the introduction of efficient extension services, as well as scientific methods of farm maintenance, the country's annual production was nearly doubled from about 300,000 metric tonnes to about 700,000 metric tonnes today.
Last year the government pegged the price of a tonne of cocoa at GH¢2,808 and on Thursday the price was raised to GH¢2,400 per tonne for the 2009/2010 season.
With the upward adjustment in price, the price per a bag of 64 kilogrammes is GH¢150 as compared to GH¢138 per bag announced in October last year.
Our governments do not joke with the demands of cocoa farmers because the crop remains the life blood of the country.
The decision to implement a Social Security Fund for cocoa farmers is a progressive move by the NDC government to help farmers to enjoy the sweat of their labour in their old age.
The government has done the best under the circumstances to satisfy the demands of our cocoa farmers but those near the border with Cote d'Ivoire think the government can do more.
Perhaps, because of the campaign pledges of our political parties, the farmers are not prepared to compromise but to demand that they are paid something close to the world price of the produce.
It is not surprising that anytime the price of cocoa is adjusted politicians from the political divide engage in the polemics to prove to the farmer that they have his welfare at heart and so given the mandate, they can do better.
The DAILY GRAPHIC believes we have come a long way in trying to improve the cocoa industry so that the people and the state can derive maximum benefits from the crop.
Presently, the government provides insecticides and pays gangs to spray all cocoa farms. Fertilisers are also sold to farmers at subsidised rates to enable them to take care of their farms properly to achieve maximum returns.
The good steps being taken by the government and COCOBOD to improve yield have not been recognised by only the farmers but others in the industry.
The efforts by Cadbury Ghana to sponsor extension officers to provide services to cocoa farmers in 100 communities are commendable and it is our hope that this endeavour yields positive results.
We are also convinced that extension services for farmers such as training and improved access to fertilisers and seedlings are critical to helping cocoa-growing communities to improve yields and livelihoods.
Although efforts are underway to diversify the production base of the economy, cocoa will continue to be the mainstay for more years to come.
It is for this reason that the DAILY GRAPHIC calls on the government to look at some of the demands of the cocoa farmer such as paying more than the present 70 per cent of the world market price to stem smuggling and stimulate increased productivity.
We know this may not be easy to achieve but in the interest of the industry, the government should find the means to motivate the farmers.
The DAILY GRAPHIC commends the government for fulfilling its pledge to adjust the price of cocoa when the need arises instead of the annual ritual in the past.
We also urge the cocoa farmers to reciprocate the gesture by producing more to ease the country's financial burden, even if the upward adjustment does not meet their expectations.
Through the introduction of efficient extension services, as well as scientific methods of farm maintenance, the country's annual production was nearly doubled from about 300,000 metric tonnes to about 700,000 metric tonnes today.
Last year the government pegged the price of a tonne of cocoa at GH¢2,808 and on Thursday the price was raised to GH¢2,400 per tonne for the 2009/2010 season.
With the upward adjustment in price, the price per a bag of 64 kilogrammes is GH¢150 as compared to GH¢138 per bag announced in October last year.
Our governments do not joke with the demands of cocoa farmers because the crop remains the life blood of the country.
The decision to implement a Social Security Fund for cocoa farmers is a progressive move by the NDC government to help farmers to enjoy the sweat of their labour in their old age.
The government has done the best under the circumstances to satisfy the demands of our cocoa farmers but those near the border with Cote d'Ivoire think the government can do more.
Perhaps, because of the campaign pledges of our political parties, the farmers are not prepared to compromise but to demand that they are paid something close to the world price of the produce.
It is not surprising that anytime the price of cocoa is adjusted politicians from the political divide engage in the polemics to prove to the farmer that they have his welfare at heart and so given the mandate, they can do better.
The DAILY GRAPHIC believes we have come a long way in trying to improve the cocoa industry so that the people and the state can derive maximum benefits from the crop.
Presently, the government provides insecticides and pays gangs to spray all cocoa farms. Fertilisers are also sold to farmers at subsidised rates to enable them to take care of their farms properly to achieve maximum returns.
The good steps being taken by the government and COCOBOD to improve yield have not been recognised by only the farmers but others in the industry.
The efforts by Cadbury Ghana to sponsor extension officers to provide services to cocoa farmers in 100 communities are commendable and it is our hope that this endeavour yields positive results.
We are also convinced that extension services for farmers such as training and improved access to fertilisers and seedlings are critical to helping cocoa-growing communities to improve yields and livelihoods.
Although efforts are underway to diversify the production base of the economy, cocoa will continue to be the mainstay for more years to come.
It is for this reason that the DAILY GRAPHIC calls on the government to look at some of the demands of the cocoa farmer such as paying more than the present 70 per cent of the world market price to stem smuggling and stimulate increased productivity.
We know this may not be easy to achieve but in the interest of the industry, the government should find the means to motivate the farmers.
The DAILY GRAPHIC commends the government for fulfilling its pledge to adjust the price of cocoa when the need arises instead of the annual ritual in the past.
We also urge the cocoa farmers to reciprocate the gesture by producing more to ease the country's financial burden, even if the upward adjustment does not meet their expectations.
Monday, February 22, 2010
COLLECTIVE RESOLVE FOR BETTER GHANA (JAN 8, 2010)
It is preposterous for anybody to think that the Mills administration can achieve everything it promised during its four-year mandate.
Indeed, we are yet to come across literature anywhere that suggests a 100-per cent accomplishment of pledges made by governing parties while on the campaign trail.
That is not to say, however, that people should not take their government to task if the government fails to deliver on the social contract they signed with the electorate during the electioneering.
Yesterday was exactly one year when President John Evans Atta Mills assumed office, promising to pursue policies for a better Ghana.
When the President met the media at the Castle yesterday, he trumpeted the successes achieved by his government and gave the assurance that the gains would eventually reflect in the pockets of the people.
The President mentioned gains by his administration in terms of reduction in inflation and stabilisation of the cedi, among other issues, which would help to greatly improve the lives of all and put the cynics and critics to shame.
No one doubts the fact that the President took office at the time the whole world was in the throes of a major economic meltdown, for in the United Kingdom and the United States of America, for instance, banks and mortgage companies were filing for bankruptcy protection.
Thankfully, all governments that put in place austerity measures as a way of dealing with the economic crunch are seeing results and Ghana is no exception.
The Daily Graphic thinks that the President was right in not limiting the success that his administration has chalked up to the competence of his team of ministers but to the co-operation of Ghanaians at large.
The people had to go through sacrifices during the trying times last year to give space to the government to execute its programmes and policies.
It is our hope that as we move out of the stabilisation stage of the economy to the level where efforts would be geared at promoting the take-off of the economy, the welfare of Ghanaians will remain the focus of the government’s policies and their views and criticisms accommodated in the conduct of state affairs.
For it is said that the path maker does not know where he has gone crooked, so the doors should constantly be opened to the people to scrutinise the policies of the government.
The President acknowledged the essence of the marketplace of ideas when he applauded the media for the significant contribution to the frontiers of democracy.
The Daily Graphic believes that with the collective resolve, we can achieve the ultimate for this country, that is, build a country where everybody can afford the basic necessities of life.
The journey ahead will not be easy; it will be rough and tortuous but we can reach the ‘Promised Land’ only through hard work, sacrifice and a united front.
As said earlier, governments are unable to achieve all their pledges within their mandate.
The Daily Graphic, therefore, suggests to the government that in looking forward, it should prioritise its programmes to focus on few key areas that can drive the economy for the take-off.
We also suggest more investment in people through education and health so that we can have healthy men and women to lead the assault on squalor, poverty and disease to create a better Ghana by the end of the President’s term.
Indeed, we are yet to come across literature anywhere that suggests a 100-per cent accomplishment of pledges made by governing parties while on the campaign trail.
That is not to say, however, that people should not take their government to task if the government fails to deliver on the social contract they signed with the electorate during the electioneering.
Yesterday was exactly one year when President John Evans Atta Mills assumed office, promising to pursue policies for a better Ghana.
When the President met the media at the Castle yesterday, he trumpeted the successes achieved by his government and gave the assurance that the gains would eventually reflect in the pockets of the people.
The President mentioned gains by his administration in terms of reduction in inflation and stabilisation of the cedi, among other issues, which would help to greatly improve the lives of all and put the cynics and critics to shame.
No one doubts the fact that the President took office at the time the whole world was in the throes of a major economic meltdown, for in the United Kingdom and the United States of America, for instance, banks and mortgage companies were filing for bankruptcy protection.
Thankfully, all governments that put in place austerity measures as a way of dealing with the economic crunch are seeing results and Ghana is no exception.
The Daily Graphic thinks that the President was right in not limiting the success that his administration has chalked up to the competence of his team of ministers but to the co-operation of Ghanaians at large.
The people had to go through sacrifices during the trying times last year to give space to the government to execute its programmes and policies.
It is our hope that as we move out of the stabilisation stage of the economy to the level where efforts would be geared at promoting the take-off of the economy, the welfare of Ghanaians will remain the focus of the government’s policies and their views and criticisms accommodated in the conduct of state affairs.
For it is said that the path maker does not know where he has gone crooked, so the doors should constantly be opened to the people to scrutinise the policies of the government.
The President acknowledged the essence of the marketplace of ideas when he applauded the media for the significant contribution to the frontiers of democracy.
The Daily Graphic believes that with the collective resolve, we can achieve the ultimate for this country, that is, build a country where everybody can afford the basic necessities of life.
The journey ahead will not be easy; it will be rough and tortuous but we can reach the ‘Promised Land’ only through hard work, sacrifice and a united front.
As said earlier, governments are unable to achieve all their pledges within their mandate.
The Daily Graphic, therefore, suggests to the government that in looking forward, it should prioritise its programmes to focus on few key areas that can drive the economy for the take-off.
We also suggest more investment in people through education and health so that we can have healthy men and women to lead the assault on squalor, poverty and disease to create a better Ghana by the end of the President’s term.
BOOSTING FOOD PRODUCTION (JAN 07, 2010)
RISING food prices on the world market last year resulted in widespread social unrest in certain countries, including some of our neighbours in the sub-region.
We know of countries where upward adjustments in the prices of rice led to the overthrow of their governments.
Food is one of the three basic necessities of life, the other two being shelter and clothing. Homelessness can somehow be contained by the people, but hunger, even if for a day, cannot be countenanced.
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) of any country is driven mainly by the performance of the food group. Thus, when food prices remain stable or drop significantly, inflation rates also go down.
In the fight to beat down the inflation pressures on the economy, the Daily Graphic thinks the focus should be on agriculture. For there is no way we can gain the respect of our counterparts in the comity of nations if we continue to carry bowls to beg for food handouts.
The Daily Graphic will not suggest that our governments over the years have not done anything to stimulate food production in the country.
All our governments have put in place policies to encourage farming but the outcomes fall below expectation.
Perhaps, the time has come for us, as a nation, to revisit the Operation Feed Yourself (OFY) programme that spurred on majority of Ghanaians to turn every available space into backyard farms.
But the question is how do we put in place a programme in the agricultural sector that will attract so much public response as the OFY received in the 1990s?
Every regime since the overthrow of the Acheampong administration has recognised agriculture as the key to the revival of the national economy but the policies put in place did not motivate the people, especially the youth, to return to the land.
Figures released by the Ministry of Food and Agriculture paint quite a positive picture of the performance of the sector last year, creating about 47,000 jobs.
Moves to modernise agriculture and attract the youth onto the land will not make the desired impact in isolation.
It has to be tackled in a holistic manner so that conditions in the countryside, where agricultural activities take place, will be improved to motivate the youth to take to the land.
The decision by the government to transform the rural economy will go a long way to put a hold on the migration of the youth to the cities to look for non-existent jobs.
Indeed, conditions in the countryside are not the best to encourage the youth to stay there to help the country to produce food at affordable prices to feed the people.
However, the statistics show that positive results can only be achieved not by magic but by deliberate and well-designed policies.
The Daily Graphic, therefore, calls on the government to step up its support for the Youth in Agriculture programme and spread it to all the districts of the country, and as well introduce subsidies for our farmers.
We urge our government not to listen to the development partners who insist that we should stop subsidies to our farmers because besides the subsidies that the advanced countries extend to their farmers, they also create ready markets for them and even buy the produce whenever there is a glut.
The Daily Graphic believes we have the resources, both human and material, to change the lives of our people provided we seek local solutions to our challenges.
So far, the figures look good but we need to do more, including encouraging our people to “eat what we grow and grow what we eat”.
We know of countries where upward adjustments in the prices of rice led to the overthrow of their governments.
Food is one of the three basic necessities of life, the other two being shelter and clothing. Homelessness can somehow be contained by the people, but hunger, even if for a day, cannot be countenanced.
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) of any country is driven mainly by the performance of the food group. Thus, when food prices remain stable or drop significantly, inflation rates also go down.
In the fight to beat down the inflation pressures on the economy, the Daily Graphic thinks the focus should be on agriculture. For there is no way we can gain the respect of our counterparts in the comity of nations if we continue to carry bowls to beg for food handouts.
The Daily Graphic will not suggest that our governments over the years have not done anything to stimulate food production in the country.
All our governments have put in place policies to encourage farming but the outcomes fall below expectation.
Perhaps, the time has come for us, as a nation, to revisit the Operation Feed Yourself (OFY) programme that spurred on majority of Ghanaians to turn every available space into backyard farms.
But the question is how do we put in place a programme in the agricultural sector that will attract so much public response as the OFY received in the 1990s?
Every regime since the overthrow of the Acheampong administration has recognised agriculture as the key to the revival of the national economy but the policies put in place did not motivate the people, especially the youth, to return to the land.
Figures released by the Ministry of Food and Agriculture paint quite a positive picture of the performance of the sector last year, creating about 47,000 jobs.
Moves to modernise agriculture and attract the youth onto the land will not make the desired impact in isolation.
It has to be tackled in a holistic manner so that conditions in the countryside, where agricultural activities take place, will be improved to motivate the youth to take to the land.
The decision by the government to transform the rural economy will go a long way to put a hold on the migration of the youth to the cities to look for non-existent jobs.
Indeed, conditions in the countryside are not the best to encourage the youth to stay there to help the country to produce food at affordable prices to feed the people.
However, the statistics show that positive results can only be achieved not by magic but by deliberate and well-designed policies.
The Daily Graphic, therefore, calls on the government to step up its support for the Youth in Agriculture programme and spread it to all the districts of the country, and as well introduce subsidies for our farmers.
We urge our government not to listen to the development partners who insist that we should stop subsidies to our farmers because besides the subsidies that the advanced countries extend to their farmers, they also create ready markets for them and even buy the produce whenever there is a glut.
The Daily Graphic believes we have the resources, both human and material, to change the lives of our people provided we seek local solutions to our challenges.
So far, the figures look good but we need to do more, including encouraging our people to “eat what we grow and grow what we eat”.
ENSURING INDUSTRIAL HARMONY (JANUARY 6, 2010)
FOR sometime now, the government has been grappling with agitation for better remuneration for public sector workers. So about a decade ago, the then government introduced the Ghana Universal Salary Structure (GUSS) in an attempt to address relativities in salaries that existed in the public service.
The expectations of public sector workers were, however, not met and they, therefore, continued to agitate for better salaries. In spite of the steps taken by the government annually at the National Tripartite Committee to meet the demands of workers, the agitation for better conditions of service has become an annual ritual.
Having recognised the poor working conditions of public sector workers, the government engaged consultants to help rationalise public sector wages.
The Fair Wages and Salaries Commission is the creation of such broad consultations, culminating in the introduction of the Single Spine Salary Structure (SSSS).
The labour front does not appear stable, especially when they have been told that the benefits of the SSSS would be felt during the second half of the year. The government has some work to do to calm the nerves of the working people so that they can have patience to wait for the implementation.
The global economic meltdown and other internal economic challenges have created roadblocks along the path of national reconstruction. It should be clear by now to organised labour that better conditions of service will always be at a cost, and that they can help the government better if their members are encouraged to change their attitudes towards work.
Whatever the situation, there is no way we as a nation can consume what we have not produced and, therefore, it behoves all workers to work harder this year to generate the revenue.
Despite the challenges, the Daily Graphic finds it refreshing that the President has given an assurance that the government is this year feverishly working towards reversing the unfortunate trend of inadequate remuneration received by public sector workers, especially teachers.
Speaking at the 50th National Delegates Conference of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), President Mills said “the near implementation of the Single Spine Salary Structure is a clear manifestation that the government is committed to improving the lot of teachers here on earth”.
Very often, workers have been accused of showing an interest in their organisations only when it comes to negotiating for new Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) and that the issue of productivity is not their cup of tea.
Anytime companies face productivity challenges, workers are quick to point accusing fingers at management. But there is empirical evidence that in organisations where workers and management have collaborated very well, the results have been outstanding.
The Daily Graphic has nothing against the agitations by workers for better remuneration. But in the first place, we must all work hard to create the wealth, so that we can all determine how equitably it should be shared.
While working people want to benefit from the sweat of their labour right here on earth, policy makers are encouraged to make that happen as a motivation for increase in productivity.
The Daily Graphic, therefore, appeals to the government to do everything to maintain the prevailing industrial harmony by implementing the SSSS.
The expectations of public sector workers were, however, not met and they, therefore, continued to agitate for better salaries. In spite of the steps taken by the government annually at the National Tripartite Committee to meet the demands of workers, the agitation for better conditions of service has become an annual ritual.
Having recognised the poor working conditions of public sector workers, the government engaged consultants to help rationalise public sector wages.
The Fair Wages and Salaries Commission is the creation of such broad consultations, culminating in the introduction of the Single Spine Salary Structure (SSSS).
The labour front does not appear stable, especially when they have been told that the benefits of the SSSS would be felt during the second half of the year. The government has some work to do to calm the nerves of the working people so that they can have patience to wait for the implementation.
The global economic meltdown and other internal economic challenges have created roadblocks along the path of national reconstruction. It should be clear by now to organised labour that better conditions of service will always be at a cost, and that they can help the government better if their members are encouraged to change their attitudes towards work.
Whatever the situation, there is no way we as a nation can consume what we have not produced and, therefore, it behoves all workers to work harder this year to generate the revenue.
Despite the challenges, the Daily Graphic finds it refreshing that the President has given an assurance that the government is this year feverishly working towards reversing the unfortunate trend of inadequate remuneration received by public sector workers, especially teachers.
Speaking at the 50th National Delegates Conference of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), President Mills said “the near implementation of the Single Spine Salary Structure is a clear manifestation that the government is committed to improving the lot of teachers here on earth”.
Very often, workers have been accused of showing an interest in their organisations only when it comes to negotiating for new Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) and that the issue of productivity is not their cup of tea.
Anytime companies face productivity challenges, workers are quick to point accusing fingers at management. But there is empirical evidence that in organisations where workers and management have collaborated very well, the results have been outstanding.
The Daily Graphic has nothing against the agitations by workers for better remuneration. But in the first place, we must all work hard to create the wealth, so that we can all determine how equitably it should be shared.
While working people want to benefit from the sweat of their labour right here on earth, policy makers are encouraged to make that happen as a motivation for increase in productivity.
The Daily Graphic, therefore, appeals to the government to do everything to maintain the prevailing industrial harmony by implementing the SSSS.
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