Adwoa N.B Writes: 58 Years & Counting…Still We Cannot Provide the Basics

Growing up, I had always heard the voices of my parents state that they would one day love to return to motherland Ghana. The quest of greener pastures to the shores of North America or Europe by my parents and other family members provided a sense of hope and prosperity for  for many… To some, providing more than what mother Ghana at the time could have provided. Was it wrong for some of our forefathers to think this way? leaving family, friends and or loved ones back home to make due with whatever they had?

Living in ABROKYERE, is not necessarily the easy life. Thanks to the use of social media, internet and international news reports, the rest of the world also plays the role of a witness to the pressures and vices presented within these environments.

Many a times, I question.. is it all worth it?

Being a Black individual, I have always wondered if my color played a factor in the numerous refusal of work, whether my car is being followed based on a sincere suspicion or if my identity plays a role. Sometimes, I wonder why I am being followed in a store, when I probably have more money in my account than the person actually following me.

On the positive flip side, one must be truthful and say that the systems in some of the countries we face the above challenges do work. The implementation of taxes, constant maintenance of roads, cleanliness of the environment, effective healthcare system and make back home a hell of a joke. What does the White man do right that we as Africans can’t seem to get?

My ancestral home being mother-land Ghana, visiting often, I would sometimes say to myself; Why don’t more of us move back home to help in moving ahead? The main objective should be, to aid in the fixing of the never ending day to day issues which live with government to government and term to term. But then reality sets in and I ask..how do we go home?

Here is a list of the many issues that I think are of great concern;

Tribalism – Saddens me to hear that this is an epidemic that just won’t die. Everything in Ghana seems to run on tribal lines. If Kwame Nkrumah thought this way, then I don’t think Ghana could have ever attain Independence. I believe, we need to be Ghanains first before anything else.

Healthcare – Not of the greatest quality. At times, from my understanding and experience, one cannot even question the health care practitioner looking after him or her. Your doctor is seen as as a high deity.. Who are you to even challenge his or her work? Not to mention, fees associated with care and hospital stay are just not affordable. Attitudes within the healthcare sector need to change.

Pollution – Growing up in a society, where even throwing a kleenex on the ground is looked down upon,  I keep asking; how can we go home? When people of the nation do not even value their immediate environment. Try to fix the problem in Ghana and one becomes the enemy of the state. In this day and surprisingly, cholera still seems to be in ill-fate culprit. Stiff and stern sanitation rules do not only keep the nation clean, but can also save lives.

Corruption – Why the smallest cedis can get you an instant favor is still a wonder to me. This method of handling, has seemingly become the norm in Ghana. Pay a little money or even a little extra and your wish is at their command.

Driving – Its very sad to hear about the numerous car crashes that kill people day to day and year to year. I was surprised when I witnessed that people do not even follow basic driving rules. In Ghana, I would most of the time ask the drivers I join their vehicles to wear their seatbelts. It was if I was from planet Mars by making this basic request. There was a constant battle and justification as to why it was not necessary. Dude, it can only help you save your life.

Broken Promises – EVERY government is guilty of this…promises made that mostly do not get fulfilled….

Criminal System – jails – crowded jails and inhumane conditions. 50/50 argument. … Some feel criminals should rot and some feel that the system should rehabilitate and possibly recycle people back into the society. I have heard of cases being postponed and delayed for one reason or another.. Some cases pending for many years. Clogging the system. Why?

Lack of Jobs – Students graduate cannot find jobs. The few who are fortunate to even graduate cannot find any job at all to do.

The list can go on and on. We can be here all day drawing back and forth the many issues Ghana faces. Not trying to be that NEGATIVE NANCY…but truth be told. Even the most basic necessities of life are still unaffordable back home (i.e flowing/clean water, electricity).

Should we as Africans in diaspora follow the pan-african movement? Relocate to our mother lands to aid and fix the problems? Or do we sit back and point fingers? Would our views be heard and respected? Or do we stay within our new found homes where we still fight to be accepted in a society that does not want to recognize us based on our colour or ethnicity?

What is the answer and is there still hope for Mother-land Ghana?

Article submitted by: Adwoa N.B