Category Economy & Business

In 2011, when The Economist boldly proclaimed, “Africa Rising,” it captured a second of continental optimism. The cowl, that includes a younger boy flying a kite formed like Africa, symbolized hope, potential, and a future unbound by the shackles of the previous.

Fast ahead to 2024, and Emmanuel Okay. Dogbevi’s inspirational speech on the Africa Check Awards serves as a sobering reminder of how far that dream has drifted from actuality. The continent now stands at an abyss, with the dual pillars of press freedom and democracy staggering on the brink.

Mr. Dogbevi, the Managing Editor of Ghana Business News and Executive Director of NewsBridge Africa, who additionally serves because the Vice President of The African Editors Forum (TAEF) painted a very unhappy portrait of Ghana—as soon as the shining exemplar of West African democracy. A nation that when stood as a beacon of hope now contends with financial turmoil and human rights violations. This isn’t merely a Ghanaian story; it’s a pan-African narrative of promise unfulfilled. The COVID-19 pandemic, somewhat than uniting nations in widespread trigger, has as an alternative accelerated a troubling descent into authoritarianism and financial fragility.

The statistics are alarming: 21 African nations teeter on the sting of debt misery, with public debt skyrocketing by over 180% to surpass 60% of GDP. This 12 months alone, African nations are anticipated to funnel a staggering $163 billion into curiosity funds—funds that might have nourished schooling, healthcare, and infrastructure. As 2050 approaches, bringing with it a projected youth inhabitants of 450 million, the query looms giant: what future awaits this era?

But maybe probably the most chilling facet of Mr. Dogbevi’s tackle is his unflinching examination of press freedom—or somewhat, its fast erosion throughout the continent. Journalists, the Fourth Estate meant to function society’s watchdogs, discover themselves muzzled, threatened, and all too usually, silenced completely. The unsolved murders of Martinez Zogo in Cameroon and Ahmed Hussein-Suale in Ghana are usually not remoted incidents however signs of a pervasive tradition of impunity.

The instruments of repression have advanced. Cyber and communication legal guidelines, ostensibly designed to guard nationwide safety, have turn into weapons wielded in opposition to truth-tellers. With 67 journalists languishing in African prisons—many for the ‘crime’ of exposing corruption—the message resonates loud and clear: problem energy at your individual threat.

This assault on press freedom strikes on the very coronary heart of democratic governance. As Mr. Dogbevi eloquently argues, unbiased journalism shouldn’t be a luxurious however a necessity—the very lifeblood of a free society. Without it, corruption thrives, human rights abuses proliferate unchecked, and the social contract binding residents to their governments unravels. The merciless irony is that those that have reaped the best advantages from democratic establishments usually lead the cost in dismantling press freedoms.

Yet, the challenges dealing with African journalism lengthen past bodily threats and authorized quagmires. The digital revolution, whereas opening new avenues for data dissemination, has introduced its personal set of pitfalls. Plummeting promoting revenues, the specter of AI-generated content material, and the fixed strain to generate clicks and site visitors place journalists in an unenviable place. They should navigate a treacherous path between serving the general public curiosity and catering to what generates engagement—a dilemma that strikes on the very core of journalistic ethics.

Mr. Dogbevi’s proposal for a UN particular court docket to adjudicate crimes in opposition to journalists is each daring and crucial. Such an establishment might function a strong bulwark in opposition to the tradition of impunity that has taken root throughout the continent. However, its institution would require greater than mere phrases; it calls for concerted, sustained advocacy from journalist associations and civil society organizations worldwide.

But authorized protections, whereas essential, are usually not a panacea. The duty for safeguarding press freedom extends to each citizen. We should internalize the understanding {that a} free press shouldn’t be an optionally available function of democracy however its very basis. This means actively supporting top quality journalism via subscriptions and donations, but in addition by partaking critically with the information we devour, demanding accuracy and integrity from our media shops.

For journalists themselves, the highway forward is fraught with challenges however not devoid of hope. Innovation is essential to survival within the digital age, nevertheless it have to be balanced with an unwavering dedication to the moral rules that underpin the occupation. Organizations like Africa Check play an important function on this new panorama, serving as bastions of reality in an period of misinformation and holding each the highly effective and the press to account.

As we digest Mr. Dogbevi’s highly effective phrases, we’re compelled to confront a elementary query: What imaginative and prescient of Africa will we want to notice within the coming many years? Will we enable the promise of “Africa Rising” to fade into the annals of historical past, a fleeting second of optimism misplaced to time? Or will we rise to the problem, combating tooth and nail to forge a continent the place press freedom thrives, the place democracy takes deep root, and the place the aspirations of hundreds of thousands discover fertile floor?

The alternative lies earlier than us, stark and unavoidable. Mr. Dogbevi’s name to motion should not go unheeded. We should stand united in protection of unbiased journalism, recognizing that in doing so, we defend not only a occupation however the very foundations of our democratic societies. The wrestle for press freedom is, at its core, a wrestle for Africa’s soul and its future.

As we glance to the horizon, allow us to do not forget that the kite of African promise nonetheless flies, albeit battered by headwinds. It is as much as us—journalists, residents, and leaders alike—to maintain it aloft, to navigate the turbulent skies, and to steer towards a future the place the beliefs of press freedom and democracy are usually not simply lofty aspirations however lived realities. For on this wrestle lies the important thing to unlocking Africa’s true potential, to realizing the dream of a continent rising not simply in financial indices however within the fullness of human dignity and freedom.

The pen, as they are saying, is mightier than the sword. Let us be sure that in Africa, it stays free to put in writing the tales that form our future, to talk reality to energy, and to light up the trail towards a brighter, extra simply tomorrow. The journey could also be lengthy and fraught with peril, however with unwavering dedication and collective motion, the promise of Africa can but be redeemed, one story, one voice, one reality at a time.

By Innocent Samuel Appiah
Copyright ©2024 by NewsBridge Africa
All rights reserved. This article or any portion thereof might not be reproduced or utilized in any method in any way with out the categorical written permission of the writer aside from the usage of temporary quotations in evaluations.

By Isaac FRIMPONG (Ph.D.)

Governance is mainly about making intentional trade-offs to steadiness the wants of individuals, the economic system and the atmosphere.  It establishes the establishments vital for sustaining social order, creating alternatives, and reaching developmental targets.

Effective governance is not only about reacting to speedy wants but additionally plans for the long run, fostering social cohesion, guaranteeing peace, and unlocking human potential. However, governance turns into difficult when inhabitants development outpaces accessible sources.

In such a state of affairs, governance methods can develop into strained, threatening the steadiness and progress of society.

This article, the second in a collection based mostly on the e-book “Human Resource to Human Capital: The Essence of Population Management,” delves into the a number of penalties of inhabitants development on governance buildings, specializing in how insufficient inhabitants administration undermines infrastructure, disrupts social order, and hampers nationwide growth.

The Challenge

Globalisation, migration, urbanisation, and Westernisation have intensified the pressure on governance in growing nations comparable to Ghana. With a quickly increasing youth inhabitants, the state faces growing stress to enhance important providers, comparable to training, healthcare, housing, and safety.

When these providers fall quick, policymakers encounter important obstacles to sustaining stability and growth. Rapid inhabitants development usually distorts growth plans, resulting in insufficient infrastructure, that struggles to help essential wants of key sectors.

In addition, weak establishments, corruption and political instability additionally contribute to poor governance. In this context, efficient governance requires the environment friendly administration of each human and pure sources whereas guaranteeing social order and sustainable growth.

Leadership performs a central function on this course of, guiding useful resource allocation, coverage formulation, and implementation to deal with these challenges. However, with out proactive planning, these efforts develop into reactive, responding to crises fairly than stopping them.

Proactive vs. Reactive Governance

Proactive governance means having a transparent imaginative and prescient of the specified state, taking into consideration inhabitants development, and making strategic selections to attain that imaginative and prescient.

It anticipates challenges and lays the groundwork to deal with them.  Reactive governance, however, responds to conditions that would have been anticipated or prevented with long-term planning.

In Ghana are we planning for the long run, or are we merely reacting to the pressures of right this moment? For occasion, proactive governance would contain foreseeing inhabitants development in an space and guaranteeing infrastructure comparable to colleges, roads, and healthcare services are in place earlier than residents demand them.

Reactive governance, nevertheless, solely begins to behave after the crises comparable to overcrowding or useful resource shortages develop into eminent.

The well being sector is a typical instance: was there proactive planning to broaden hospital infrastructure in Kumasi, or was it the town’s inhabitants development that drove the pressing want for enlargement?

Proactive governance ensures that vital providers can be found forward of time earlier than they’re critically wanted, whereas reactive governance struggles to catch up, usually on the expense of long-term stability.

The Impact

When inhabitants development outpaces accessible sources, it overwhelms the infrastructure and disrupts social, financial, and developmental efforts. This mirrors the fundamental financial precept of provide and demand: when demand outstrips provide, it creates inefficiencies and breakdowns in providers.

A transparent instance will be present in Ghana’s training sector. The authorities’s introduction of the double-track system was a response to the overcrowding of faculties. However, regardless of a 7 % annual enhance in enrolment, present infrastructure stays below immense pressure.

This stress extends past training and impacts healthcare, housing, transportation, and different essential public providers. The rising mismatch between inhabitants development and infrastructure growth threatens nationwide progress and highlights the pressing want for sustainable options.

Beyond governance challenges, poorly managed inhabitants development can have important financial penalties. Rapid inhabitants development places stress on public sources, drives up unemployment, will increase demand for providers, stagnant wages, and widens revenue inequality.

Governments face mounting fiscal pressure as they wrestle to boost infrastructure and social providers, relying closely on grants, loans and taxation from a constrained base of low-income taxpayers.

Solutions

Addressing governance challenges related to inhabitants development requires a complete, balanced strategy that comes with population-influencing and population-responsive insurance policies.

Population-influencing insurance policies goal to sluggish inhabitants development and cut back stress on sources. These insurance policies deal with increasing household planning providers, enhancing entry to training, and creating employment alternatives fairly than magnifying unemployment.

Tackling root causes like youngster marriage, teenage pregnancies, and unintended pregnancies is essential to reaching this. Such interventions won’t solely improve particular person and inhabitants well being however may even cut back the inhabitants development price to an optimum degree.

Population-responsive insurance policies, however, deal with assembly the wants of the present inhabitants. These insurance policies strengthen social providers, broaden infrastructure, and create financial alternatives that align with the present inhabitants’s calls for.

By planning, proactive governance can anticipate inhabitants adjustments and set up the mandatory infrastructure, earlier than they develop into overwhelmed. This reduces the necessity for reactive, crisis-driven responses, fostering stability and sustainable growth.

In essence, efficient inhabitants administration via this twin strategy ensures that whereas development is moderated, the present inhabitants is sufficiently supported, thereby making a pathway in direction of extra equitable and sustainable growth.

Data-Driven Governance and Citizen Engagement

Effective governance is dependent upon data-driven decision-making to successfully allocate sources and reply to societal wants.  Accurate, well timed information permits governments to align technical, monetary, and advocacy sources with key development areas, enabling focused interventions that deal with essential challenges and promote long-term sustainability.

Citizen engagement is on the coronary heart of efficient governance. Policies which might be clear, inclusive, and well-understood by the general public allow communities to thrive. Building belief between authorities establishments and residents fosters a way of possession and collective accountability for societal progress.

In many developed nations, governance methods have eradicated obstacles between policymakers and residents, selling transparency and accountability. This mannequin provides necessary classes for growing nations comparable to  Ghana, the place constructing belief stays a essential problem.

Conclusion

To successfully deal with the challenges, governance have to be each proactive and responsive. Population administration insurance policies mustn’t solely goal to affect demographic developments but additionally be sure that sufficient infrastructure, providers, and financial alternatives, able to lifting folks out of poverty, are in place to fulfill the wants of the present and future inhabitants.

By integrating proactive planning, data-driven decision-making, and energetic citizen engagement, governance methods will be remodeled into drivers of sustainable growth and shared prosperity.

The path is evident: proactive governance anticipates future challenges and addresses them earlier than they escalate, whereas reactive governance struggles to maintain up with rising crises, resulting in coverage fragmentation and inefficiency.

For Ghana, the highway to sustainable growth lies in adopting proactive governance that locations inhabitants administration on the coronary heart of nationwide methods, removes structural obstacles, and promotes each fairness and equality, thereby guaranteeing a thriving society for all.

The creator is a Researcher and Consultant

[email protected]

By Joshua Worlasi AMLANU & Ebenezer Chike Adjei NJOKU

To escape the looming ‘middle-income trap’ – a phenomenon whereby nations expertise stagnating progress and fail to transition into high-income standing regardless of optimistic financial indicators – middle-income nations, together with Ghana, are being urged to undertake new progress methods…significantly tech-infusion.

This name, made by the World Bank in its World Development Report 2024, comes because the nation remains to be reeling from excessive public debt and average progress charges which threaten its long-term financial aspirations.

The Bretton Woods establishment believes the subsequent few a long time symbolize a important juncture for middle-income nations like Ghana. Despite making strides in poverty discount, these nations now face the daunting job of transitioning to high-income standing. The proposed answer? A shift from conventional investment-focused approaches to a extra modern, technology-driven financial mannequin.

At the center of this technique is ‘tech infusion’ – the combination of cutting-edge applied sciences comparable to synthetic intelligence, automation and biotechnology throughout key sectors together with manufacturing, agriculture and healthcare.

For Ghana, a rustic wealthy in pure assets however scuffling with technological adoption, this strategy could possibly be the important thing to unlocking vital productiveness beneficial properties and sustainable progress, the World Bank stated.

“Ghana’s growth has been positive, but it needs to accelerate without resorting to excessive borrowing,” stated Indermit Gill, Chief Economist of the World Bank, through the report’s launch.

Mr. Gill emphasised the necessity for nations like Ghana to maneuver from focusing solely on funding to methods that emphasise each expertise infusion and innovation.

He added that Ghana should rigorously handle its public debt relative to the Gross Domestic Product (debt-to-GDP) ratio whereas fostering an setting conducive to non-public funding – a fragile stability that has eluded many middle-income nations.

“Ghana’s growth rate has been positive, but it needs to increase significantly without excessive borrowing… It is Ghana’s private investors that will lead the country into high-income status. Government can provide a good environment but private investment is key,” he stated.

The World Bank official famous that nations which have efficiently transitioned to high-income standing, comparable to South Korea, sustained fast progress for a number of a long time.

2i and 3i

The report identifies two essential transitions for escaping the middle-income entice.

The first, referred to as the ‘2i’ technique, requires nations to mix funding with expertise infusion; guaranteeing that international applied sciences introduced in are successfully tailored and used domestically. This shift is seen as important for middle-income nations, the place technological diffusion may considerably increase productiveness and progress.

The eventual objective is for these nations to maneuver towards the ‘3i’ technique, which integrates funding, infusion and innovation to realize high-income standing.

Ghana, which has been labeled as a lower-middle-income nation for over a decade, faces distinctive challenges. Its progress charge, although optimistic, has not been adequate to match the trajectory of profitable economies like South Korea or India.

Can’t repeat the identical

Professor Peter Quartey, Director-Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER), agreed – stressing that Ghana wants intentional insurance policies to drive its financial transformation.

He highlighted the nation’s reliance on uncooked materials exports and inadequate funding in key sectors comparable to expertise and agriculture.

“We need to be intentional about adding value to our exports and investing in areas that will enhance productivity, such as STEM education,” Prof.Quartey stated.

He additional emphasised the significance of a long-term improvement plan, noting that frequent modifications in authorities insurance policies have slowed the nation’s progress.

In the annals of Ghana’s historical past, few people have left an indelible mark on the nation’s journey as Jacob Wilson Sey, but his identify stays largely unknown to the lots. Until now. It is certainly a shock and an act of ingratitude that this nation has not discovered it match to honour such a noble patriot.

Born in 1832 within the Central Region, Sey’s life story is a testomony to the facility of resilience, entrepreneurship, and unyielding dedication to the betterment of his nation. His most pivotal contribution, which deserves far larger recognition, was his selfless act of single-handedly funding a deputation to Queen Victoria in 1898. This essential mission efficiently halted the implementation of land payments that threatened to strip away indigenous land rights, successfully preserving Ghanaian sovereignty and setting a precedent for your complete West African area. Despite going through immense challenges, Sey rose from humble beginnings to develop into Ghana’s first multi-millionaire, utilizing his wealth and affect to champion the rights of his individuals in opposition to the looming risk of British colonial rule.

From carpenter to coffin maker: Rise of an entrepreneur

Jacob Wilson Sey’s youth was marked by adversity, as he grappled with the restrictions of a scarcity of formal schooling. Born to a carpenter father and a farmer mom, Sey initially adopted in his father’s footsteps, honing his expertise as a carpenter. However, his entrepreneurial spirit quickly led him to discover new ventures, and he found a knack for the craft of coffin making.

Sey’s distinctive method to this occupation earned him native fame, and he turned often called “Kwaa Bonyi,” or the “humorous coffin maker.” His wit and craftsmanship allowed him to transcend the confines of his circumstances, setting the stage for his exceptional journey forward.

Defending the land: Birth of the Aborigines’ Right Protection Society

As Sey’s enterprise acumen grew, the British colonial rulers have been tightening their grip on the Gold Coast, enacting a sequence of legal guidelines that threatened to erase the standard land rights of the indigenous individuals. The Crown Bill of 1894, the Public Land Ordinance of 1896, and the following Land Bills of 1897 have been significantly alarming, as they sought to position all lands below British management.

Despite being illiterate, Sey acknowledged the upcoming hazard these insurance policies posed to his individuals. Driven by a deep sense of patriotism and a want to safeguard the way forward for Ghana, he took a daring step in 1897 and based the Gold Coast Aborigines’ Right Protection Society (ARPS) in Cape Coast. This group, comprising educated Ghanaians and garnering the assist of quite a few native chiefs, united of their struggle in opposition to the colonial land insurance policies.

A relentless campaign: Sey’s journey to the Queen

Sey’s management throughout the ARPS was marked by an unwavering dedication to defend the rights of his individuals. Recognizing the necessity for direct intervention on the highest stage, he determined to sponsor a deputation to fulfill with Queen Victoria herself.

This endeavor required vital monetary assets, which Sey, by then a rich man, was in a position to present. On May 24, 1898, Sey and his delegation set sail on the Alba ship to England, armed with a petition signed by outstanding members of the ARPS and 15 native chiefs. Their mission was to plead their case on to the Queen and halt the damaging land payments that threatened to strip away the land rights of the indigenous individuals.

A historic victory: Sey’s triumph earlier than the Queen

The assembly with Queen Victoria proved to be a pivotal second in Ghana’s historical past. The delegation efficiently introduced their petition, and upon their return to the Gold Coast, they carried with them an official letter from the Queen that abrogated the Land Bill of 1897. This victory not solely saved the lands of Ghana from full British possession but additionally set a precedent that might resonate all through West Africa. It performed a vital function in stopping potential apartheid-like situations within the area, preserving the rights of indigenous individuals throughout neighboring nations like Nigeria and Sierra Leone.

Sey’s triumph earlier than the Queen demonstrated his unwavering dedication to the well-being of his individuals and his potential to navigate the advanced political panorama of the colonial period. This historic achievement cemented his legacy as a pioneering champion of land rights and a defender of Ghanaian sovereignty.

A philanthropist and neighborhood benefactor

Beyond his exceptional achievements within the realm of politics and land rights advocacy, Jacob Wilson Sey was additionally a famend philanthropist. He used his wealth to enhance the lives of these round him, advocating for the development of parks, supporting academic establishments, and aiding the Methodist Church.

Sey’s imaginative and prescient prolonged past simply private acquire; he sought to uplift his neighborhood and guarantee a legacy of dignity and possession of their land. He supplied assist to exiled kings and chiefs, reinforcing his dedication to the cultural heritage of Ghana. Sey’s life was a testomony to the facility of utilizing one’s success to raised the lives of others.

The unsung hero: Recognizing Sey’s legacy

Despite his monumental contributions to Ghana’s historical past, Jacob Wilson Sey stays an unsung hero, his exceptional story largely overshadowed by the extra extensively celebrated figures of the nation’s previous. His journey from poverty to changing into Ghana’s first multi-millionaire, his unwavering protection of land rights, and his philanthropic endeavors all deserve larger recognition and commemoration.

As Ghana continues to develop and evolve, it’s vital to recollect the sacrifices and achievements of people like Jacob Wilson Sey, who fought tirelessly for the rights and well-being of their individuals. Acknowledging these unsung heroes is crucial for fostering a way of nationwide satisfaction and guaranteeing that the teachings of the previous information future generations.

Experts emphasize the significance of honoring such personalities. Dr. Nana Baah Wiredu, a Tourism Consultant, notes, “Celebrating figures like Jacob Wilson Sey is crucial for our national identity. His bravery and commitment to justice inspire us to uphold the rights of all Ghanaians today.”

Furthermore, cultural advocate Nana Kwesi Boateng provides, “Acknowledging our unsung heroes allows us to build a richer narrative of our history. It reminds us of the values of resilience and patriotism that we must continue to embody.”

The name to motion: Promoting Sey’s legacy in faculties

In honoring Jacob Wilson Sey’s legacy, faculties play a vital function in shaping the understanding and appreciation of Ghana’s historical past amongst future generations. By incorporating his story into the curriculum, creating academic supplies, and organizing particular occasions, faculties can be sure that the contributions of this unsung hero will not be forgotten.

Through initiatives reminiscent of historical past classes, literature research, visitor speaker sequence, artwork and essay contests, and neighborhood partnerships, faculties can foster a deeper engagement with Sey’s life and the enduring significance of his achievements. By doing so, they not solely honor his reminiscence but additionally encourage a brand new technology of leaders dedicated to justice, equality, and the betterment of their communities.

In celebrating Sey’s legacy, we not solely pay tribute to a unprecedented particular person but additionally domesticate a richer understanding of Ghana’s previous and a stronger basis for its future. By bringing his story to the forefront, we be sure that the values he embodied – resilience, patriotism, and a unwavering dedication to the rights of the individuals – proceed to form the nation’s journey for generations to come back.

By Innocent Samuel Appiah
Copyright ©2024 by NewsBridge Africa
All rights reserved. This article or any portion thereof is probably not reproduced or utilized in any method in anyway with out the categorical written permission of the writer apart from the usage of temporary quotations in evaluations.

What shall it revenue a person

To achieve entire bars of gold

Gathered and offered

And lose his crystal clear H2O

What shall it revenue the person?

What shall it revenue a era

To achieve a pocketful of dusty, soiled dough

Here and now

And lose hope in a pending future

And embrace a bleak future

Here and now

When a future hope is dashed

Here and now

What shall it revenue this era?

What shall it revenue a younger soul

To fail to coach a mind to realize

But to realize from a muddy, lethal pit

All the ore

And lose all the prospect there exist

To prepare to realize all of it

What shall it revenue the younger soul?

What shall it revenue a land

To lose entire plots of gold

And achieve scores of incurable sores

And achieve scores of widened holes

What shall it revenue the land?

What shall it revenue a farm

To lose its golden cocoa pods

To lose fertile acreages

And achieve a desolated, abandoned plantation

What shall it revenue the farm?

What shall it revenue a sacred grove

To lose all of the sacred timber

And achieve a desolated, depleted thicket

And achieve a muddy, marshy earth

What shall it revenue the sacred grove?

What shall it revenue a forest

To lose its uncommon species

To lose its dense envelopment

And achieve a desecrated thicket

And achieve a sparse atmosphere

What shall it revenue the forest?

What shall it revenue a nation

To lose dependable instances and seasons

To lose secure climate patterns

And achieve erratic seasonal patterns

What shall it revenue the nation?

What shall it revenue a folks

To lose nationwide, pure assets

To lose their pure supply of finance

And grope for the mercy of worldwide help

And achieve the pity of worldwide pittance

What shall it revenue the folks?

What shall it revenue a Chieftain

To achieve the least of the sum

And lose the most important of the sum

To revenue a Chinatown

What shall it revenue the Chieftain?

What shall it revenue a landlord

To lose management of his stronghold

To lose agency maintain on enforcement

To grant unfettered freedom

To lose the contemporary greenery

To achieve the browning lakes and rivers

And give a freehold to absolute wantoness

As they collect them and promote…in damaging brazen-ness

What shall it

…revenue?