THE NEW l.EGON R CONTENTS Our Perspective Our Perspective One Year after rating Our 50th One Year after Celebrating Our 50th Birthday: What Birthday: What Is Ghana /{' .-..-..-. .... Is Ghana Doing Differently? Doing Differently? / . ~- The Current Situation Regarding the Regulation ,- • of Political Financing in Ghana Yaw Saffu 0 4 The Global Economic Downturn: What Challenges for Ghana? Gobind Nankani 0 B Down Memory Lane - Past African Cup of Nations (CAN): Reflections of a Former TV Sports Commentator and Critic (Part Three - 19B4) Another 6th March has come and gone. years of independence. We noted the Ivan Addae-Mensah 0 10 As to be expected, the celebration of uphill task that the nation had confronted independence this year was not as ele- Reflections on Ghanaian in those years and concluded that the gant as it was last year. Last year's Art in Ghana's Jubilee outcome had been far less than expected . Year marked a significant milestone as the The world had expected so much from Ama de-Graft Aikins 0 15 Golden Jubilee Year, and so there was no Ghana as a trailbli'zer not just in the sub- reason to expect the two celebrations to reg ion but also in the rest of Africa, and Postcard from America be done on a similar scale. The New yet Ghana had delivered so little. Chance to Make History, Legon Observer would nevertheless like Way to congratulate the government and peo- Kofi Anyidoho 21 A year after the celebrations, The New 0 ple of Ghana for another year of nation- Legon Observer is looking for evidence hood. Anniversaries are always important, Letters to the Editor 0 24 that Ghana is willing and eager to do even for individuals. In the case of things differently. In terms of politics, Classes and Tribalism in nations, they are even more important as there are indicat;ons that the people and Ghana (Ansa K. Asamoa) they provide opportunities for soul- their leaders are ':luite anxious to preserve Book Reviewer: searching and self-assessment for many the democracy that they managed to Thomas Antwi Bosiakoh 0 26 people who can influence future direc- restore some 16 years ago. The evidence tions. Observer Notebook for it comes largely from the fact that most Why Malaria is Still Killing of the political parties are becoming Us: Barriers to Disease This journal used its very first edition, Vol. increaSingly democratic and electing their Control I No. I of 29 November 2007), to assess presidential candidates in a more open Ana Samarjian • 28 what Ghana had achieved in the first 50 fashion. All Ghanaians and the world saw .... 2 Founding Members of the how the candidates for the National Democratic Congress Ghana Society for Development Dialogue (NDC), the Convention People's Party (CPP) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) were elected from a respectable field Emmanuel Ablo Francis Dodoo of contenders. The message for any political party that Ernest Aryeetey Djabanor Narh does not believe in openness is that it risks becoming irrel- Alfred Teddy Konu Korantema Adi-Oako evant in Ghanaian politics. Gobind Nankani Adwoa Steel William Steel Ivan Addae-Mensah Kofi Anyidoho Ishmael Yamson Another area which provides a measure of how democra- Clifford Nli 80i Tagoe Albert Osei cy is shaping up has to do with parliament. There are Ellen Bortei·Doku Aryeetey Joseph Atsu Ayee many Ghanaians who have not been impressed with the Kweku Appiah Charles Egan quality and performance of parliament. Democracy is not Isabella Quakyi Anthony Matthews about filling parliament with persons who have nothing to Yaw Nsarkoh Tony Oteng-Gyasi say about the things that are most important to the peo- Helen Nankani Charles Jebuni Abena D. Oduro Raymond Atuguba ple and their institutions. Many parliamentarians are per- Ken Ofori-Atta Doris Ablo ceived to be inarticulate; they demonstrate no significant Angela Lamensdorf Ofori-Atta Yaw Saffu knowledge of the issues that are brought to parliament. Nana Yaa Ofori-Atta Franklyn Manu While it is true that parliamentarians are not well resourced to do any serious research into issues that mat- The New Legan Observer creates a platform for the ter, they have seldom been seen to show much initiative discussion of broad development policy issues and mat- on important developmental and other issues. There is cer- ters of public interest. The articles are expected to be tainly better informed debate outside of parliament. current and on relevant themes. It is owned by the Evidence of a desire to change the situation may be seen Ghana Society for Development Dialogue (GSDD). in the readiness of Ghanaians to talk about the poor qual- ity of debates in parliament. The people believe strongly in The society is a registered company limited by guarantee the need for an effective parliament that will influence the and is independent of the management of the University path to long term growth and development. So there are of Ghana, Legan. The members of the society come from now a lot of capacity-building initiatives for improving the diverse professional backgrounds and are motivated sole- quality of parliament. Examples of these include the sup- ly by the need to develop a vehicle for the articulation of port from the Friedrich-Ebert Foundation and the canadian diverse but well-researched views on Ghana's develop- ment. Parliamentary Centre to improve research into parliamen- tary matters. If these initiatives work and more knowl- edgeable people get elected into parliament at the next Editorial Board elections, Ghanaians can become hopeful that things will Chairman: Kofi Anyidoho begin to change for the better. Acting Editor: Ernest Aryeetey Editorial Consultant: Korantema Adi-Oako In terms of the economy, there is no doubt that the situa- Economy: Charles Jebuni, Emmanuel Ablo, Abena Oduro Politics: Yaw Saffu, Atsu Ayee tion is much more stable today than it was a few years Society, Culture & Education: Ellen Bortei-Doku Aryeetey, ago. A number of things have also happened in the last Rev. Sam K. Adjepong and Kwesi Yankah year to make the Ghanaian people see the economy even Science and Technology: Ivan Addae-Mensah, Isabella Qualeyi more positively for the future. They observed a relatively International Affairs: Gobind Nankani well-managed re-denomination of the Cedi. They saw the world's financial markets eagerly take up various bonds issued by the Ghana Government to raise funds for devel- Design Team opment purposes. But most important of all, they heard Charles Tachie-Menson, Frederick Mante about the discovery of oil in commercial quantities in All correspondence may be addressed to: Ghana. And they have even listened to government offi- The Acting Editor cials promise that there will be careful management of the New Legon Observer new oil economy. P.O. Box LG 490 Legon While all these are happening, Ghanaians are still waiting Tel. 512503 Ext. 109 Fax. 512504 for a major initiative on how the structure of the economy Email: newlegonobselVer@ug.edu.gh will be transformed. Interestingly, the National .... 3 2 OUR PERSPECTIVE ' . , . . . • . Development Planning Commission made by the organisers to provide locate an American military base In (NOPe) has been working for over a football lovers all over the world a Ghana. year on the business of preparing a world-class tournament. The facilities medium-long term development plan were a great improvement on what The New Legon Observer takes the that will lay the foundation for existed before, and the management perspective that what a country like achieving the needed structural was, to a large extent, admirable. Of Ghana gains from such a trip is deter- transformation. Even though this course, there were some serious mined largely by what it wishes to endeavour has been going on, the hitches, such as the power cut at the achieve. So while President Bush may various sector ministries, depart- Essipong Stadium. The initial problem have had his own reasons for want- ments and agencies that should have with accreditation for journalists and ing to undertake the trip at the time been working closely with the NOPC other persons from the media was he did, the bigger question for have busied themselves with their definitely regrettable and avoidable. Ghanaians should have been what own programmes for the same peri- Embarrassing as these were, they did the Ghana Government wanted to od, with no clear interest in structur- not take much away from everything gain from from the trip. Was it addi- al transformation. It is obvious that else that was achieved. These hitch- tional aid resources? If that was the there are major problems with coor- es could not deny Ghanaians and sole objective, then the trip may have dinating Ghana's long term develop- others an opportunity to enjoy a gen- been successful for Ghana. If the ment interests and government must erally well-organised tournament. idea, however, was to attract more indicate clearly what it wants to do. The New Legon Observer takes this American business to Ghana, then opportunity to congratulate the Local the assessment of the outcome It is important for Ghanaian govern- Organising Committee on a job fairly would require deeper analysis. ments to understand that without well done. Hopefully, many lessons structural transformation, more rapid have been learned about how to The lesson from this is that, for such development is not likely to occur. It organise such tournaments. The joy visits in future, it is important for the is imperative that the expected oil of Ghanaians would definitely have Government of Ghana to articulate its revenues are used to diversify the been greater if the Black Stars had own expectations. Unnecessary time economy at a higher level of produc- won the trophy. We congratulate the is wasted in needless arguments tion and productivity. That is what team all the same. when it is not clear what the objec- will make it a lot easier to achieve tives are, and that is what happens long-run macroeconomic stability President George Bush's viSit to when a government has no clearly while reducing poverty significantly. Ghana a couple of weeks ago has expressed foreign policy. Ghanaians In effect, the new oil revenues, if been viewed by many people in dif- nevertheless enjoyed the temporary carefully managed, should make it ferent ways. There are those who international media attention that easier to achieve structural transfor- look at the financial resources made they received even if this was very mation. It is essential for the man- available by the current US adminis- poorly structured by many of the agers of the economy to focus on the tration to Ghana in particular, and international news networks. The medium-long term and not to see Africa in general, and suggest that it reSidents of north-eastern Accra, short term stability as an end in itself. was appropriate for President Bush to however, deserve an apology for the A developing country cannot afford to come to Ghana in order to see for inconvenience they had to suffer in do that. himself what American resources are order to make this visit a memorable doing for the people. There are oth- one for President and Mrs Bush; the Our perspective is that a number of ers who saw the trip very negatively, traffic jams were intolerable. things have happened in the last year and this was driven by a perception to cheer Ghanaians up. In particular, that the American President was In this issue of The New Legan the successful organisation of the using the Africa trip to boost his own Observer many different issues that African Cup of Nations football tour- very poor standing back home while reflect the continuing debates about nament, Ghana 2008, made looking for new hosts for American the nation's future directions are pre- Ghanaians proud. The pride was military installations President Bush sented. Yaw Saffu has another article prompted by the significant effort dismissed suggestions of any plan to on political party and campaign 3 OUR PERSPECTIVE finance that should engage the atten- very exciting piece tion of readers in these exciting times on the US election CORRIGENDA of political campaigns. Gobind campaign. Clearly Nankani has contributed a piece on there is a chance for NLO Volume 2 No 4 of 21 February 2008 how the global economic downturn history to be made, In the International Section, the author of the arti- could affect Ghana. This is important no matter who gets cle on Party Financing and Political Corruption, for a country that is thinking about nominated by the Ama Pokua Fenny should have been deSignated how to develop faster. Democrats. as a Principle Research Assistant at ISSER at foolnole 6. Foolnotes 6 and 7 in the text should In the society section, Ivan Addae- Our observer note· accordingly have been re-numbered as 7 and 8. Mensah concludes, at least for now, book is provided by Apologies for technical and production issues his historical account of Ghana's par- Ana Sama~ian who such as shifted text at page 21 and some picture ticipation in African football champi- explains why malar- quality and alignment issues. onships. This has become the 'must ia has been so have' item for those who want to deadly. Special Credit for sports photos, already given at know about the history of football in Vol. 2 No. 2 of 17 January 2008 was inadvertently Ghana. This issue also car- omitted from the contents section of the cover ries the journal's page. Black and white pictures accompanying Ama de Graft Aikins has a very inter- first book reView, Ivan Addae Mensah's gripping "Down Memory esting piece on Ghanaian art a piece written by Thomas Lane - Past African Cup of Nations (CAN) - that should encourage Ghanaians to Antwi-Boasiako on Reflections of a Former TV Sports Commentator engage with the subject more seri- Ansa Asamoah's and Critic - Part Two - 1982- are from ·Pride and ously than they have so far done. Classes and Triba- Glory. Black Stars in Germany '06" - Contributors lism in Ghana. Atukwei Okai, Joe Aggrey. Ken Bediako. Ebo Quansah, Felix Abayeteye. Edited by Kwasi Gyan- Kofi Anyidoho provides the interna- Apenteng. tional dimension in this issue with his POLITICS The Current Situation Regarding the Regulation of Political Financing in Ghana Yaw Safful As far as the financing of political The Act does not really regulate polit- that would, admittedly, be rather parties and election campaigns by ical financing, beyond prohibiting inchoate and incomplete. However, parties and candidates is concerned, non-citizens funding political parties the Electoral Commission, the moni- the Ghanaian political environment and, by extension, election cam- toring and enforcement agency, has is, in practice, among the least regu- paigns. At best, it empowers the so far chosen not to be proactive in lated in the world, as can be gleaned Electoral Commission to monitor this matter. from the International IDEA political financing, that is, the funding Handbook on Funding of Political of political parties and election cam- The Act is not explicit about anything Parties and Election Campaigns, paigns. But the Act contains several that can be interpreted as regulating 2003. In Ghana, the most relevant disclosure provisions that could, in either the private funding of political document on the matter of political the hands of a proactive monitoring parties and election campaigns by financing or 'money in politics' is the and enforcement agency, provide the citizens, or controlling expenditure by Political Parties Act, 2000 (Act 574). legal basis for a regulatory regime candidates and political parties dur- IYaw Saffu IS a retired Professor of Politics and currently a Consultant in Democratic Governance. I ~ 5 4 I POLITICS ing an election season. It does not any way. Non-citizens are liable to Disclosure Provisions of the Act provide for any direct or even indirect deportation if they contravene this public funding of political parties. The prohibition . Whatever contribution Part II of the Act - Operation of then National Democratic Congress they make, whether in cash or in Political Parties - spells out what has (NDC) government had myopically kind, shall be forfeited to the State to be disclosed. Within three months rejected arguments and submissions and shall be recoverable from the of being issued with a final certificate from the opposition parties and the political party as debt owed to the of registration, or such longer period Electoral Commission on the matter. State. as the Electoral Commission may The National Patriotic Party (NPP) allow, a political party is required to government in turn has not had the Several other African states, for submit to the Commission a written courage, since 2000, to rectify what, understandable fears of foreign dom- declaration giving details of all its in opposition, it knew and said was a ination of their politics, ban funding assets and expenditure, including mistake that had to be rectified. of political parties by non-citizens. contributions or donations in cash or But such a blanket ban, without a in kind, made to the initial assets of The primary strength of the Act, and pragmatic case· by-case examination the party by its founding members. its major contribution towards any of the nature and merits of the par- effort to deal with the serious chal- ticular foreign aid to political parties, The declaration submitted to the lenge that the financing of political could amount to cutting off one's Electoral Commission "shall state the parties and election campaigns may nose to spite one's face. After all, sources of funds and other assets of present to the legitimacy of our dem- . many so·called sovereign govern- the political party. The declaration ocratic regime, is the clarity and the ments of these states often survive shall also contain such other particu- extensiveness of its disclosure pravi· and function as they do only because lars as the Commission may in writing sions. These provisions should enable of cash injections from the same direct. The declaration shall; be sup- the Electoral Commission, if it is so donor sources. ported by a statutory declaration minded to do, to obtain any informa- made by the national treasurer and tion it wants, not only about the Corporate citizens, defined by the Act the general secretary of the political sources of the funds of political par- as companies registered in Ghana party" (section 13, subsections 2, 3 ties but also the destination of the and whose capital is at least 75 per- and 4). Within 30 days after the expenditure of their funds. Such cent Ghanaian·owned, can contribute receipt of the declaration, the information, once obtained by the without any limits or any other regu· Commission shall cause it to be pub- Commission, is in theory, and so far lations. Similarly, private funding of lished in the Gazette. in practice also, easily available to parties and election campaigns by any citizen who just turns up at the Ghanaian citizens is not regulated in Such a declaration, therefore, Electoral Commission Head Office in any way. becomes a public document. Not only Accra and requests to see the appro- that. Legally, a statutory declaration priate files . The one thing that the Act gets is required to be true. It follows, absolutely right is its emphasis on therefore, that the National Treasurer To discover the current legal situation disclosure. There is no ambiguity and the General Secretary of a politi- regarding the regulation, or more whatsoever about its disclosure pro- cal party can be prosecuted for per- accurately, the non-regulation, of visions. This is important because jury if anybody can show that there political financing in the country, a disclosure provisions are without are material falsehoods in their sworn closer examination of the provisions dou~t the fundamental pre-requisite party 's declaration. of Act 574 is necessary. for any effective regulatory regime for the private funding of parties and An Electoral Commission that is The Political Parties Act, 2000 campaigns and for fighting any grand determined to enforce these disclo· (Act 574) corruption that might be linked to sure provisi(1ns is offered an opportu· party or campaign finanCing . Without nity to invo~e a less drastic sanction The clearest provision in the Act is its disclosure provisions, other regula· than that stipulated in the Act, name- prohibition of funding of political par- tions concerning the raising and ly, cancellation of the registration of a ties by non·citizens. The Act forbids expenditure of funds by political par- political party that "(a) refuses or foreigners or non·citizens, presum· ties and candidates are unworkable, neglects to comply with this section, ably as defined by the 1992 virtually worthless. or (b) submits a declaration which is Constitution, to aid political parties in false" (section 13, sub-section 6). 5 POLITICS It has to be emphasised that the dec- of Political Parties, is another clear, allows inspection of the accounts laration of assets in the preceding comprehensive disclosure provision. without a fee! paragraph (section 13 of the Act) Within six months from 31 December relates only to the initial assets, can· of each year, every registered political Thus, it is clear to me that a legal tributions and donations made at the party shall file with the Electoral framework exists for the extraction of time of the founding of the party. But Commission (i) a return, in the form information from the political parties the next section of the Act, section specified by the Commission, indicat- about their finanCing. The disclosure 14, has identical disclosure require- ing the state of its accounts, the provisions in the Political Parties Act ments in relation to election cam- sources of the funds, membership do provide a strong starting point paigns. Within 21 days before a gen- dues paid, contributions or donations concerning most of the obvious areas eral election a political party shall in cash or kind, the properties of the that need to be regulated. Some may submit to the Commission a state- party and time of acquiSition, and argue that the disclosure provisions ment of its assets and liabilities in such other particulars as the do not go far enough because they such a form as the Commission may Commission may reasonably require, do not explicitly require the disclo- direct. Within six months after a gen- and (ii) audited accounts of the party sure of names of donors of what eral election or a by-election in which for the year. Apart from these annual could be described as suspiciously it has participated, a political party returns, the Commission may, at any and potentially huge innuence-buying shall submit to the Commission a time, upon reasonable grounds, amounts of money. detailed statement of all expenditure order the accounts of a political party incurred for that election, in such to be audited by an auditor appoint- But that would be missing the point form as the Commission may direct. ed, and paid for, by the Commission. about the Commission's vast untapped powers, under section 21 Again, the statement is required to Unlike the declaration under section in particular. The Commission can be supported by a statutory declara- 13, of founding donations and assets insist on having such information. tion made by the General Secretary of political parties that have to be There is nothing to stop the and the National Treasurer. Thus, gazetted , the annual statement and Commission from insisting that the once more, the Electoral Commission audited accounts do not have to be parties name, in their annual returns, is offered an easier route to enforce- published in the Gazette. They are any person or persons who in any ment of disclosure provisions than thus not in the public domain . particular year donate more than, through the unrealistic, obviously However, any person, after the pay- say, 1000 Ghana Cedis, or whatever politically unthinkable, option of can- ment of a fee, can inspect, and even amount the Commission deCIdes to cellation of the registration of, say, obtain copies of, the returns and use as a threshold.There are obvi- the ruling party, or any of the large audited accounts of a political party ously several public policy issues that opposition parties, for that matter. filed with the Commission. Yours truly need to be thrashed out in national Section 21 , on Returns and Accounts can report that the Commission debates before the CommiSSion could go down this path. There are a num- ber of technical and political prob- lems to do, for instance, with thresh- olds for disclosure, what else needs to be disclosed apart from monetary donations and, in particular, how not to kill off private funding altogether, particularly for opposition parties. Parties have enough difficulty, as it is, soliciting funds from straight, honest patriots and idealistic, optimistic democrats who expect no particular favours in return, without having to expose them to all sorts of possible unintended consequences. Financial backers of opposition parties, espe- Tamale Stadium -+ 7 6 - POLITICS cially, may be in genuine fear of a to challenge the parties from time to office seekers could be expanded to vindictive government backlash, time to get them to file more credible give more honest but relatively impe- whereby they are blacklisted in the returns. cunious citizens too a chance. award of contracts and denied access to other government controlled busi- Incidentally, beyond the Electoral Finally, the Act says nothing about ness opportunities. Commission, our independent press how serious, sizeable political parties and investigative journalists would that happen not to have backers with Provisions Missing from the Act have to be more assiduous in the use deep pockets can nevertheless be of the legal avenues and opportuni- helped to play the necessary demo- Although this paper has argued that ties made available by the disclosure cratic roles that they are expected to the disclosure provisions in the Act do provisions and the information these play. That is to say, there is nothing provide an adequate basis for the may throw up, to inform their readers in the Act on public funding of politi- Electoral Commission to demand to about issues that the information cal parties. This is an omission that know everything about a political highlights. needs to be addressed, as part of the party's revenue and expenditure, the necessary political initiatives and Act does not give the Commission, or The power to extract information and measures designed to deepen liberal any other agency for that matter, the make it available to the public is a democracy in the country. power to regulate or control anything worthy reform tool which is not to be about either a political party's income sniffed at. However, that power, Regulating political party and election or expenditure. There is no question . which the Act gives the Electoral campaign financing or 'money in pol- that transparency is, or should be, an Commission, is not the same as the itics' is not, and should not be, only important attribute of a democratic power to regulate, to control, to about attempting to reduce or stop political system that is well worth impose limits, for instance, to order the abuse, or potential misuse, of insisting on. The information that the the return or confiscation of disal- plutocratic or corporate influence disclosure provisions in the Act can lowed donations, to initiate police acquired through donations to par- make available to the public CQuid be investigations or prosecution, and so ties. Reform of political financing extremely invaluable, for instance, for on. should also aim at levelling the play- fighting corruption and for educating ing field to ensure more equal, com- the electorate, about the profile of The Act does not impose any limits petitive elections, where three or four the parties that appeal to them for on either the amounts citizens may political parties have all been enabled votes. contribute or on the expenditure of to have genuinely reasonable oppor- But, for the Electoral Commission to political parties and candidates, or on tunity to tell the electorate all over obtain the sort of detailed, truthful what they can or cannot spend the the country why they deserve to have information that could serve such money on. It omits to say anything the honour of serving the country purpose, it would have to be about whether, and how, the high and driving it forward into prosperity strengthened, particularly through cost of waging electoral battles in and equitable sharing of the fru its of increased constitutionally guaranteed Ghana should be brought down so development. resources, to enable it to hire experts that the circle of potential elective I .... 8 7 ECONOMY The Global Economic Downturn: What Challenges for Ghana? Gobind Nankani' The G7 Finance Ministers have last few years, is a potential windfall : and/or higher interest rates will fur- expressed their concerns at the glob- Ghana's success in finding oil. ther thwart growth. al economic downturn. The US is Though limited at up to 1.3 billion slipping into recessionary territory, barrels or 4 years of Nigeria's In short, the growth rates of 6 per- the EU and Japan remain tepid, and exports, oil - combined with needed cent we have had over the last few China and India are also projecting structural reforms - may still provide years will, unless other factors come lower growth. Food and fuel prices a possible instrument to shore up into play, decline, perhaps by 1 per- continue to rise. The extremely favor- Ghana's hopes to reach middle cent and possibly by as much as 2 able global economic environment income status and double per capita percent. The goal of keeping inflation that Ghana, and (ther developing income by 2015. below 10 percent will be threatened countries, have enjoyed over the last as these difficult conditions interact six years is turning around, and The immediate challenges of the with an underlying fiscal deficit in the greater risks face us: a growth down- downturn are the risks it poses for 2 to 4 percent range ( after allowing turn and higher prices for imports. In Ghana's growth. In particular, export for the recent energy price pass this article, three questions are demand and prices, tax revenues, through). And yet, sustaining high addressed: (1) what challenges does import prices, foreign investments, growth and low inflation are essential the end of the "Goldilocks" global era access to external resources and pos- if Ghanaians are to sense that their pose for Ghana? (2) how might sibly remittances are all at risk. The lives are improving. these challenges begin to be historical peaks for the prices of addressed in an election year? (3) cocoa, timber, minerals are likely to Policy Options in an Election what is the single most important taper off or decline, especially given Year implied action that the new President the lower growth expected in China will have to deal with early in 2009? and India. There is likely to be little The need to design policy responses respite in oil prices, given the securi- to the global downturn is complicated The Challenges ty and refinery capacity factors that by the electoral timetable. Political business cycles, with expenditure lev- For Ghana, the global downturn complicate the demand-supply con- comes at a difficult time. Fiscal figuration that underlie its high price. els rising and reform efforts slacking in election years are now reluctantly deficits have risen in 2006/ 7, break- The global investment climate has suffered a set back given the credit acknowledged by politicians and ana-ing a downward trend since 2000. lysts, including the international The benefits of the debt reduction crunch and the uncertainty of demand. Access to external borrow- organisations. All concerned have schemes have all been fully absorbed. Oil prices are stable or ris- ing such as through the recent bond learnt that the challenge is to man- issue will be greatly diminished. And age this cycle to minimise its negative ing as economies slow down, economic fallout, rather than to pre- Additional external bond issues are remittances may also be affected as tend that it can be completely avoid- likely to be difficult as global credit Ghanaians abroad face difficult times. ed. In Ghana's case, the political markets shrink. Most importantly, we business cycle comes on top of an are in an election year. This means A second set of challenges relate to already tepid economic reform effort there will be expenditure pressures the risks to higher inflation posed by over the last few years. It is correct and the scope for economic reforms rising oil and food prices. Monetary that macroeconomic performance will be limited. policy cannot be entirely accommo- has been strong until 2005; that dating, if inflation is to be kept at sin- growth has picked up in 2005-7; and Offsetting this threat to the relatively gle digit levels. And the resulting that the investment climate and high growth and low inflation of the combination of credit restraints Gobmd Nankani IS former Vice President for Africa at the World Bank and President of the Global Development Networit .. 10 8 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ECONOMY selected governance dimen- The Implied Challenge sions of reform have been for the Next President strong. Yet, micro economic reforms in sectors such as There is a large unfinished energy, water and other infra- economic agenda for the structure, have been particular- next President. The Presi- ly slow. The benign internation- dential debates and rallies al environment, oil prices will hopefully bring to the notwithstanding, has helped fore how each of the aspi- prop up Ghana's growth rate as rants plans to approach this much as reforms have. Ghana, agenda. The next President and other developing countries will have his hands full with have reaped great gains from issues such as infrastructure, Mass of Ghanaian Workers the favourable international agriculture, exports, educa- environment, while reforming very turn. Productivity growth is what ulti- tion, health, information technology, selectively and gradually. With both mately makes an economy grow. In housing, urban policy, crime, drugs, now at risk, Ghana needs an election Ghana today, productivity is particu- interpersonal and regional equity. It year economic strategy, and more larly hindered by poor infrastructure. is almost certain that the benign importantly, the new President needs Every effort must be made to com- international economic environment a bold economic strategy for imple- plete infrastructure projects that are of the last six years will be behind us, mentation immediately in early 2009. nearing completion, and to give pri- and the scope for muddling along or ority to maintenance where this is muddling through will be limited. In Three policy areas deserve utmost holding back effective operation. This attention this year. First, fiscal pres- all scenarios, one fundamental issue is particularly true for transportation, sures must be managed with disci- will need special focus by the new including rural roads. Further, no pline, which means that likely rev- President: the use of Ghana's oil effort must be spared to take deci- enue shortfalls must not be allowed wealth, and the management of the sions (currently held up by govern- to raise the fiscal deficit. This is economic and political challenges this ment procedure) that will facilitate essential for protecting the gains opportunity brings along . private activity relating to the infra- made in reducing inflation. The poor structural sectors. This is especially It would be ideal indeed if all presi- suffer the most when inflation rises. the case for the energy and water dential candidates committed them- The big risk in an election year is a sectors. The water sector is the next selves to a Code of Conduct sur- wage and salary increase that is out sector at greatest risk, and decisions rounding the use of Ghana's potential of line with underlying fiscal and eco- that are holding back reforms In oil resources. The code would nomic fundamentals. This will be dif- water need immediate attention. emphasise three principles. ficult to manage, but there is no choice. A public debate on the global Third, the Government's focus on First, full transparency on all oil con- downturn and the risks it poses for improving the investment climate and tracts, all revenues received and all Ghana will be essential. Its external the costs of doing business has been expenditures made from oil rev- source, is in a sense, an easy out for admirable. Even so, Ghana's invest- enues. This means publishing this today 's politicians. ment climate remains inferior to that data on websites, in the media and in Second, on the public investment of many comparable countries. This all local languages. It means every program, the emphasis has to be on focus must be sharpened, to offset ministry's, region 's and district's completing projects that will increase the higher costs that the downturn share of these resources will be pub- productivity this year or in the imme- will have on exporters and on servic- lished. It means that any citizen diate future. The temptation, in an es. Ghana's benchmark here should wanting this information has full election year, to initiate new projects be countries like Chile, Singapore, access to it. It also means that every across the country is particularly ill Taiwan etc. and not just other African citizen has access to the analysis that advised given the risks of a down- countries. preceded the decision to spend on every public project, and data on how .... 10 ECONOMY much is being spent on each public Third, it is essential that a Resource finance and remittances. This project. Stabilisation Fund be established requires strong economic manage- even before oil revenues begin to be ment this year. It also recuires adher- Second, passage of the Law of Fiscal collected, to capture funds when ence to a Code of Conduct by the Responsibility, referred to in the 2008 prices are higher than some prede- next administration on the manage- 8udget statement, will be essential. termined average, and to draw down ment of Ghana's oil resources. The This Law binds every government to from in times of lower prices. There is presidential debates must seek to get being fiscally responsible, a problem much experience from countries such all presidential aspirants to sign to that needs special attention especial- as Botswana (for diamonds), Norway, such a common Code of Conduct on ly in oil exporting countries. This Chile, and more recently even the use of Ghana's oil resources. should be complemented by a Law of Nigeria, to draw from in designing There are many examples of oil Fiscal Crimes, which would make it a Ghana's own fund. economies that have been left poor- criminal offence for the Law of Fiscal er, with weaker governance institu- Responsibility to be broken . Brazil, for Conclusion tions and higher inecuality by the dis- example, has both laws, and the lat- covery of oil. The next President, with ter has been used to prosecute gov- The global economy is fast losing its complementary roles by civil society, ernment officials and politicians who momentum. The emerging econo- the media, Parliament and other have been fiscally irresponsible. mies, including China and India, are institutions for the protection of pub- These laws would have to be careful- also affected. The outlook for lic resources, will need to rise up to ly crafted so as to define fiscal irre- Ghana's economy, as indeed for all the challenge, and render oil a bless- sponsibility with precision, so that developing economies, is for lower ing, not a curse, for Ghana. Our chil- they do not lead to a paralysis of growth, with downside risks on lower dren and grandchildren will expect public decision making. revenues, higher inflation, lower nothing less from us. exports, lower access to global SOCIETY Down Memory Lane - Past African Cup of Nations (CAN) Reflections of a Former TV Sports Commentator and Critic (Part Three - 1984) Ivan Addae-Mensah' 1984 -The "8ouake Debacle" a team which had not been given a goalkeeper, and had been drawn in dog's chance; a team which had been the group of death; through sheer The second installment of this article hurriedly assembled in the middle of determination, won the cup for an was on the 1982 tournament in January; a team which had nearly unprecedented fourth time, and Libya. In 1978 Ghana won the cup as missed going to Libya for political made history.~ Ghana therefore went host only to be kicked out as defend- reasons; a team which had gone to to Cote d'Ivoire in 1984 as defending ing champions in 1980. Then in 1982 the tournament with its number 3 champions. This final installment of Professor Ivan Addae-Mensah was a freelance TV sports commentator and critic for Ghana Television between 19n and 1982. As mentIOned In the first mstallment of this article, the artICle was meant to be published before the commencement of the CAN 2008 tournament. Therefore by the time you read thiS article, the tournament will be over. The artide in Its present fQfm is however stIli relevant, and will be relevant for postenty. It IS bemg published in order to add to the scanty published archival material on Ghana's participation in past and current cup of nations tournaments. The author's personal experience 10 some of these toumaments makes thIS even more necessary. That record has since been broken by Egypt and equalled by cameroun. 10 SOCIETY Afranie. The Technical Committee had Commander Ofori Yentumi as Chairman, Rex Danquah (is it the same Rex Danquah who is on the current Local Organising Com-mit- tee?) as Member/Secretary, Mr Osam Duodu as Team Manager, Mr Afranie as his assistant and Mr Victor Anku. The new management committee arranged a series of training matches and programmes for the team. On 25th January they left for the Benin Republic for a training tour. The team was made up of a blend of some old players with some very good young Jubilating Crowd at the Ohene Djan Stadium players. Osam Duodu's intentions my refiections on the African Cup of Dadzie (elder brother of former Black were clear. He was adopting the 1978 Nations is on the 1984 disastrous Stars Captain Kuuku Dadzie), Major and 1982 strategies. But once again performance, again as defending George Lamptey and K. Ampim Darko poor planning and unnecessary inter- champions. as secretary. ference in technical matters bedev- illed this tour. Preparations It was rumoured that Ackah Yensu resigned because of the report of the The stars arrived in Benin without the Coach Osam Duodu was initially put Justice Kingsley Nyinah Committee Beninois authorities even knowing in charge of the team and decided to which investigated the defeat of the that any such tour had been use his 1982 team as the nucleus, Black Stars by the Green Eagles of arranged. So who had corresponded with a number of younger local play- Nigeria in an Olympic Games qualify- with whom before the Stars left ers invited in. Coach Afranie was ing match. But two days later, Mr Accra? But fortunately, the Beninois made his deputy. But then, just as in Abayaa turned down the chairman- authorities hurriedly arranged a the past, strange things began to ship appointment. Mr l. T. K. Caesar, match between the Black Stars and a happen to our preparations towards a Government official and employee, club side, Dragons Oueme, (the team this tournament. The then Ghana personally took over the chairman- that Abedi Pele first played for in his Football Association (GFA) Chairman, ship of the GFA. FIFA and CAF would quest for international experience Lawton Ackah Yensu suddenly never have tolerated such an action after leaving Real Tamale United). resigned in January 1984 under total- these days, and would have immedi- The Benin team had five relatively ly inexplicable circumstances, citing ately suspended Ghana from the average Ghanaians, including Bashiru personal reasons for his sudden res- organisations. Kate caesar's subse- Gamba, Okoe Kumordjie and George ignation. He made his announcement quent decisions were to create the Gormashie. But, as if to confirm our • on 31st December 1983, to take conditions that eventually led to the poor preparation, the match ended in effect on 3rd January 1984. This lVas disaster in Bouake in March 1984. a 0-0 draw. On Feb 7th the team barely two months to the tourna- Other committees were set up. These played another trial match against ment. A new caretaker GFA was included a Management Committee the Gambian National Team in Banjul, announced by Sports Council Chief chaired by Commander Ofori which the Stars only managed to win Executive l.T. Kate Caesar and hur- Yentumi, with Nick Oadzie as Vice by 1-0. This was the team they had riedly assembled on 3rd January Chairman, Antwi Gyamfi, Captain walloped 7-1 in the preparations for 1984. It was under the Chairmanship George Partington, Nana Yaw Owusu, the 1978 tournament. The only saving of Mr. Stanley Abayaa, with Mr. Kojo Nunoo, Dr. J. Ofori Atta, Mr. grace was that only a fortnight earlier, Commander Ofari Yentumi, Nick Fred Osam Duodu and Mr. E. K. the Gambians had beaten Guinea by 11 .. 12 SOCIETY one goal to nil. On 4th February, Ghana played another trial match against Guinea and won by 2-1. Three weeks before the tournament, and in spite of all the preparations and trial roatches that the Osam Duodu-selected team had gone through, Nii Kate Caesar, the GFA Chairman and CEO of the Sports Council, made another of his inexpli- cable decisions. He decided to invite some so-called professionals then playing in relatively mediocre clubs in the Middle East, to join the Black Stars. Even though some of these players had been household names in Ghana, it was obvious that most of them were already past their peak. Moreover, at that time, the profes- sional league in these Arab countries of North Africa and the Middle East Hectic match between Ghana and Morocco during recent CAN 2008 Tournament was no different from our own local Nunoo, a member of the Manage- Kwasi Appiah, Hesse Odamtten, Papa league, and could not be compared ment Committee, was only an errand Arko, Abdul Razak, Isaac Acquaye, with the current professional football boy for Kate Caesar's Management Seth Ampadu, Adolf Armah, Isaac our players play in Europe. On 8th Committee, Osam Duodu replied in Paha, Addae Kyenkyenhene. February, Mohammed Polo new into the affirmative. Incidentally Kojo Forwards: George Alhassan, Ghana from the United Arab Nunoo had been the Team Manager Mohammed Polo, Opoku Nti, Ben Emirates. The other "professionals" for the 1978 winning team which had Kayede, Kofi Abbrey, Francis Kumi, called in were George Alhassan, C. K. Gyamfi as coach and Osam John Bannerman, George Lamptey Abdul Razak and Adolf Armah, who Duodu as his assistant. The relation- and Albert Asase. were all playing for clubs in Egypt. ship between Osam and his assistant Oddly enough, many of the players The team trained on Sunday 12th Afranie had allegedly not been very February, beat Hearts of Oak 7-0, good, even though they were in the were left-footed. A few others were technical team of 1982. Afranie, was ambidextrous. There was Opoku Nti, went to Togo and played the put in charge of the team when Albert Asase, Mohammed Polo, Abdul Togolese national team, but with all the so-called professionals, the team Osam Duodu was sacked. Razak, Francis Kumi, Papa Arko Adolf Armah and Kofi Abbrey. In one match performed very poorly and lost 2-1. Joe Aggrey, then Sports Editor of during the tournament, there was a On Sunday February 19th they Daily Graphic, was prompted to call period when the entire forward line played against Hasaacas and again for the reinstatement of Osam and the central and left midfield posi- performed very poorly, Then Coach Duodu, who should be given the full tions were occupied by left-footed Osam Duodu was sacked on Monday powers to select his own team. This players. How could the team be said 20th February, two weeks before the was not heeded. On 28th February, to be balanced? start of the tournament. He was the team left for Abidjan with the fol- sacked because of certain remarks he lowing players: We were in Group B with Nigeria, allegedly made on a "Sports Digest" Algeria and Malawi. Our first match programme. To a question from the Goal : Joseph Carr, Mohammed late Ohene Gyan whether Mr. Kojo Odoom, and Owusu Mensah. was against Nigeria. There was utter Defence: Joe Odoi, Ernest Appau, confusion of roles in the team. Within .. 13 12 • SOCIETY ten minutes all our weaknesses were he was totally unfit and the GFA had instead of form. After the match, totally exposed by Nigeria. They no business calling him into the team when Afranie w •a s• intervieWed, he came close to scoring in the 8th and three weeks to the tournament with· said that the technical team thought 10th minute, and by the 14th minute out assessing his match fitness. that the professionals, being profes- • we were down by one goal through a Sionals, would be match fit and would Henry Nwosu strike. Pressure on our It was not that Nigeria played any deliver, that was why he selected team was intense, especially from the wonderful game. Any well drilled them in place of the young local play- Nigerian left ftank which was our team could have made mince-meat ers who had undergone all the train- right ftank where the Nigerians knew of them. But on that day, our own ing tours before Osam Duodu was we would be weak, having 50 many team was totally hopeless. After the sacked. But Abdul Razak countered left-footed players playing in posi· match irate Ghanaian fans living in that "if you are a professional in tions that normally are occupied by the Ivory Coast nearly beat up Europe a club forces you to keep fit. right·footed players. We managed to Commander Ofori Yentumi and But we are in the Gulf and Egypt equalise before the end of the first caesar, but for the timely intervention where the level is not 50 high so you half against the run of play. A 20th of the security personnel. They said must motivate yourself", Obviously minute free kick taken by Kofi Abbrey they had not paid good money from the team could not motivate itself (left footed player) found the head of their scanty resources to see such an against Nigeria, and the players were Opoku Nti (left footed player) to head abysmal performance by the Stars. obviously not match fit. home the equaliser The other left Group A comprised of Ivory Coast, footed players who played upfront Cameroun, Togo and Egypt. Ivory Nigeria's second match against that day were Mohammed Ahmed Coast beat Togo 3·0 while Egypt beat Malawi ended in a 2-2 draw. If any- Polo, Albert Asase and Abdul Razak. Cameroun 1-0. thing was an indication that our loss But it was only a matter of time to Nigeria was because we were before Nigeria scored their winning In a post-match analYSiS, the Daily hopeless and ill-prepared, not that goal in the 31st minute through Graphic wrote that the Stars' chances Nigeria was very good, it was this Chibuzor to lead by 2-1. In the 72nd of advancing into the next round match between Nigeria and Malawi. Minute Opoku Nti, the only player looked very dim. Algeria had beaten Ghana's second match was to be who was outstanding in the team Malawi 3-0. The Daily Graphic head· against Algeria, which would be a that day, got injured and was line of 8th March 1984 said it all : repeat of our 1982 epic semi-final. replaced. Mohammed Polo looked SELECTION • CAUSE OF OUR Algeria was determined to have their visibly tired and a pale shadow of his DEFEAT. The writer said that our own back on us as revenge for their former self, obviously indicating that team was selected based on names painful defeat in 1982. Coach Afranie made seven changes to his team which played against Nigeria, obvi- ously now aware that he had select- ed a totally unbalanced, phYSically and mentally weak team to play against Nigeria in the first match. In that first match Nigeria had players like Nwosu, Stephen Keshi, Etuegbu, Chibuzor, Rashid Yekini and Ali Saba, all of them very tough and fit cus- tomers. ~totwith-standing these changes, Ghana lost the match 2-0. Ghana, the defending champions, had been kicked out of the tourna- ment in the first round, just as had happened in Ibadan in 1980. This Ohene Djan Stadium in Accra was the match which the GNA report- 13 .... 14 SOCIETY ed with the headline "The Bouake a classic textbook case history of how The tournament is now over. Egypt Debacle", not to prepare and partiCipate in a beat Cameroun in the first match of sports tournament such as the Cup of the first round. The two teams met We only managed a face-saving 1-0 Nations. again in the final, a repeat of what win against Malawi in our final group happened in 1984. But this time match in which coach Afranie eventu· In the 1984 tournament Egypt beat round Egypt has had the upper hand ally decided to do away with all the Cameroun in the opening match, but and has won the cup for an unprece- so·called professionals of the Middle Cameroun went on to win the cup dented 6th time. Ghana has not been East and field a team dominated by after beating Nigeria in the finals. able to achieve her dream of hosting local players. The two teams are again in the same and winning as she did in 1978. But group in 2008. What is going to hap- for the first time in our history, we The second group A matches ended pen this time? have won a third place trophy. Cameroun 4 • Togo 1 and Egypt 2 • Ivory Coast 1. The third group We are all hoping for a repeat of In all our previous participations, matches ended Egypt 0 • Togo 0 and 1978 in 2008. 30 years is a long time Cameroun 2 - Ivory ( "ast O. anytime we have gone up to the The host to wait to host a tournament and win semi·final stage, we have gone on to nation was therefore eliminated in it. In 1978 we won as hosts. In 1982 win either the gold or silver, or lost the first round with Egypt and we won as underdogs against the cameroun advancing into the semi- the third place match as happened in mighty petro-dollars of Gaddafi's South Africa in 1996. This is the first finals from Group A and Algeria and Libya. We are hungry for a repeat time that we have won a third place Nigeria advancing from group B. performance of these two golden playoff. We hope we shall go two Fearing that the elimination of the years. I wish the Black Stars THE steps better in 2010 in Angola and host nation might result in the total VERY BEST OF LUCK IN 2008. South Africa. Bravo, Black Stars. You collapse of the tournament, the then have made us proud in 2008, even President, Felix Houphouet Boigny, Epilogue though our dream did not become a decided to buy all the tickets and dis- I have had to add this epilogue reality. tribute them free of charge to fans to enable them attend the matches. because, as already mentioned, this arti- Since 1984, I have always wondered cle, which is the third how Ghana could go into a match and final in a series with 7 out of the 11 players on the on past African Cup field at a given time all being left· of Nations tourna- footed . I am not a coach, but one did ments, was meant to not need an expert coach to tell one be published before that such a team would be totally the commencement unbalanced and confused on the field of the CAN 2008 of play, especially if most of them are tournament. also not match fit and were brought Unfortunately, sever- • in because of their " big names". To al factors prevented me 1984 still stands out as Ghana's this from being worst ever performance both at the done. But the edito- team and at the management level rial committee decid- since she started participating in the ed that the article's Nations Cup. Even though we also archival usefulness went out in 1980 and 2006 in the first makes it still relevant round, albeit on goal difference, our even if it is coming performance in 1984, before and dur- out after the tourna- Match betw~n Guinea and Egypt during recent CAN 2008 ing the tournament, should serve as ment is over. Tournament 14 LAW AND CULTURE Reflections on Ghanaian Art in Ghana's Jubilee Year Ama de-Graft Aikins' tery shops, the makeshift galleries for wood carvings and woven baskets, the sculptured vegetable and fruit stands, the mass produced framed portraits of icons, symbols of every- day life and wise sayings. Visit any plush hotel with one or more stars and you cannot fail to notice rows of paintings by local artists, lining the lobby walls, positioned to be appreci- ated or purchased. In your own home there might be variants of these arte- facts : a Gye Nyame (Akan adinkra symbol proclaiming the omnipotence of God) wood carving, a generic por- trait of Jesus Christ, or an abstract oil painting on the wall; batik fabric transformed into a table cloth, cush- ion covers or curtains; a leather rug or footrest from Tamale on the living room floor; the old Asante asesegua (carved wooden stool) sitting in the kitchen corner. Art means different things to differ- ent people: a fundamental source of visual stimulation, the highest form Sign paintings of Azuma Nelson, Kwame Nkrumah, Steven Applah and Otumfuo Osei Tutu II of aesthetic pleasure, a source of (coortesy Kofi SetordJI) income, a form of therapy, a political Art is aU around us. Drive through caricature. Navigate a major round- tool, a resource for development. any major town in Ghana. You are about and you might spot a monu- "Art is about life. Artists are a pre- bound to see, at some point, a row of ment - J. B. Danquah at Osu, Accra, cious human resource'~ . But the com· signboards bearing the faces of Komfo Anokye at Bantama, Kumasi, plex significance of art is often under· Kwame Nkrumah, John Agyekum Monica Amekoafia, the first Miss valued and the future prospects of Kufour, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Jerry Ghana at the town centre, Hohoe. those who produce it in various forms John Rawlings, Nelson Mandela, Bill Stop for a moment and take in what are under increasing threat. Clinton and other national and world is around you. The stalls selling multi- The arts . mlJsic, theatre, visual· are leaders in uncanny likeness or dismal coloured batik and tie-dye, the pot- generally marginalised in Ghana's I Ama de-Graft AIkins is a sooal psychologist based at the Unlvers.ty of Cambndge and the RegIOnal Institute for Population Studies (RI PS), University of Ghana . • Virginia Ryan and Prof. Joe Nkrumah, FoundatiOn for Cootemporary Arts (FCA), Ghana: http://www.fcaghana .org 15 .... 16 LAW AND CULTURE one of Ghana's most Our year-long celebration of significant pioneer Ghana@50 highlighted the discrep- industries, the indus- ancy most acutely. Tne history and try is a powerful contributions of the music industry means of enhancing and the theatre arts to Ghana's the country 's identity national identity and development and distinctiveness, were woven into official celebrations. while simultaneously Business sponsorship ensured that creating employment, major cities were treated to a 'From developing human Highlife to Hiplife' concert featuring skills and generating iconic highlife and hiplife artists such social capital and as Koo Nimo, Nana Ampadu, C. K. cohesion. However, it Mann, Kojo Antwi, Amandzeba and is infused with the Reggie Rockstone. The Ghana@50 perennial problems of secretariat funded Ghana@50 lack of access to Theatre Classics - an impressive finance, limited appli- monthly line-up of 12 classic plays cation of modern from Ama Ata Aidoo, J.B Danquah, technology, lack of Martin Owusu, Kobina Sekyi, Efua effective laws and Sutherland and other Ghanaian play- regulations to protect wrights showcased at Accra 's intellectual property National Theatre. rights, low level of awareness on intellec- Compared to these solid public tual property rights, investments, the visual arts fared lack of enforcement badly. Old monuments were Vandalised statue of Kwame Nkrumah, National Museum and supervision of revamped and new ones commis- (courtesy Ama de-Graft Aikins) laws and regulations, sioned in Accra and other major cities development agenda. But the visual and inadequate ex· and historic towns. There was official arts face particularly tough chal- port promotion services. One of the acknowledgement of artists who lenges. Over the last few years most devastating aspects of this lega- played specific roles in Ghana's inde- numerous media articles have high- cy is that the local music and film pendence - for example Madame lighted the neglect of the theatre arts industry is not developing as fast as it Theodosia Okoh, who designed the should." and the music industry. Theatre nation's flag. There was a small exhi- artists bemoan severe lack of funding bition at the National Museum featur- to create and produce quality work; The visual arts too constitute "a pow- ing local painters. But these were musicians castigate a growing coun- erful means of enhancing the coun- minor gestures. Their impact on pub- try's identity and distincti veness, lic consciousness was not as hard hit- terfeiting culture that denies them while simultaneously creating the benefit of full sales and a weak ting as the musical and theatrical employment, developing human ski lls events. At times they appeared as administrative body that fails to ensure appropriate payment of royal- and generating social capital and after-thoughts or as by-products of ties. The government has begun to cohesion". Visual artists also face the commercial activities. The branding range of "perennial problems" attrib- of public monuments with commer- take note. The most recent Growth and Poverty Reduction Strategy doc- uted to the music and film industries. cial products is a case in point. ument (GPRS II), observed : Yet in media and official accounts Driving around revamped circles in their public significance and role Accra one often wonders whether rarely feature. This discursive their monuments exist to serve the "The music and film industry is fast- absence works it way into the arena financial fortunes of Nestle, Unilever, growing with unlimited potential. As of practical commitment. Guinness and other multinational Republic. of Ghana (2005) Growth and Poverty Reduction Strategy (GPRS II) (2006-2009); National Development Planning Commission (NOPC) Page 29. -+ 17 16 • ~'• . , , LAW AND CULTURE companies or the memories of our national heroes.' The editorial of a recent issue of ArtFOCUS, a local art magasine, criticised the official neg- lect of the visual arts in the Ghana@50 celebrations: "Officials have used art in a function- al sense: celebratory monuments, statues, busts and rockeries have been commissioned ... visibly spon- sored by the business community ... Beyond th is vivid commercialisation of 'publ ic art' official engagement with art has been nil. Many may have noted how the passing of two Ghanaian Art greats - Mrs Grace Kwami last year, Saka Acquaye this year - went unnoticed in official cir- cles. This and other forms of apathy towards Ghana's art scene compelled the art community to celebrate itself ... There was a clear difference between official and art community celebrations: the former tended towards inflicting mass produced mediocrity on the public, the latter • • towards collective self-reflection of - \ the meaning of independence for Arthaus workshops on batik making and painting (courtesy Kofi Setordji) artists and the public." Africa , Asia and the West into their depended on the patronage of local Art was not always marginalised in repertoire; for example kente evolved or foreign art lovers and collectors. Ghana. Its low status in official and into a public ceremonial cloth while public consciousness is a product of taking on foreign elements, specifi- At Independence a new phase of complex factors. Ghana has a rich art ca lly the weaving of si lk threads Ghanaian artistic expression was history. Its roots in antiquity have imported from Asia into the tradition- born when art schools and colleges been traced to ninth century West al cotton. Ghanaian art and artistic were established in Accra (Achimota African wall paintings and sculptures. expression, like that elsewhere, has School), Kumasi (College of Art at the I ts 18th century Asante and Ewe cer- evolved through a dynamic exchange Kwame Nkrumah University of emonial kente were inspired by cen- between internal artistic vision and SCience and Technology), and turies - old cultural customs. Indi- the external demand from changing Winneba. Heavily supported by the genous Ghanaian art forms have times and public tastes. Similarly, the Nkrumah administration - which used evolved by incorporating external livelihoods of Ghanaian artists, like art and artists systematically to forge artistic influences from other parts of others elsewhere, have always its project of national unity and • A letter to NLO (Vol 1 No. 2, 13 December 2007) by Emmanuel Y. AbIo descnbed the heavy commercialisation of publIC monuments thus: "When I dove or walk by these statues I am Incensed and deeply offended by the SIght of all the b-Ilboards that dutter the statues of our heroes. There are bIllboards advertiSIng this or that alcoholIC or oon-akohollc beverage; or promoting one or the other product or service. In all my travels In South Afnc.a, Zimbabwe, Great Bntaln, the UnIted States of Amenca and other countries I have never encountered thiS kind of dIsplay of gross dIsrespect for a natIOn's heroes. It just would not be tolerated In other countries. So why are we tolerating thIS?" 17 .. 18 LAW AND CULTURE enforce the image of Nkrumah as a duce art without fear or restrictions. the pottery industry in the Eastern pan-African leader par excellence - Other artists stayed : some made bold region, a predominantly female these art institutions were run in the political statements with their art (e.g domain). Sign painting, the vibrant first decade or so by British artists the Akwapim Six), some struggled to and most visible genre of commercial and art theorists. This period nur- make a living underground, while art in Ghana and the premier training tured a new vibrant community of others abandoned art for more viable ground for many young artists, faces Ghanaian artists - for example Kofi careers and vocations. Indigenous art imminent demise with the arrival of Antubam, Oku Ampofo, Vincent Kofi production stalled . graphic design technology. And we and Ablade Glover - who produced cannot ignore the power of cheap 'formal art' with Afro-European sensi- The current situation for Ghanaian goods from China and India - por- bilities. The art community, like sev- art and artists is mixed. There was a traits, ornaments, soft furnishings - eral cultural and administrative insti- resurgence of formal artistic expres- to undermine the livelihoods of local tutions, was stifled during the 1970s sion in the 1990s led by visionary artists financially (by offering cheaper and 19805 era of coups, successive painters and sculptors who have alternatives to a buying public) and military government rule and struc- since fashioned international careers symbolically (by transforming lay rep- tural adjustment. I"'any prominent locally (e.g Wiz Kudowor, Kofi resentations and legitimation of func- formal artists, like doctors, lawyers, Setordji), in other parts of Africa (e.g tional art). and university lecturers, migrated to EI Anatsui in Nigeria) or in the West countries that allowed them to pro- (e.g. Kwesi Owusu-Ankomah in The Nkrumah administration's strate- Europe) . These Ghanaian gy of ring-fenced funding for the arts artists count among re- has not been adopted by subsequent nowned African artists often governments. Local artists are more featured in African-centred likely to be supported by foreign gov- exhibitions, collections and ernments, institutions or individuals. anthologies, produced on or Alliance Franc;aise, Goethe Institut outside the continent.' But and the British Council regularly hold such success belongs to a exhibitions featuring different genres tiny minority of artists. Many of Ghanaian art. These foreign insti- artists - whether self or for- tutions are also actively involved in mally trained - cannot make development projects that utilise a living purely from their art. local art and push its functional Kobina Nyarko, a promising boundaries. For example British young artist with an Council's recent hosting of a confer- Industrial Arts degree from ence in February 2008 on Art and KNUST's College of Art Climate Change has led to collabora- observes: "Industrial art stu- tive projects between local artists and dents end up not using their foreign NGOs on waste management degrees; there is no finance in Ghana. But foreign support is a to set up studios or busi- double-edged sword. Over the years nesses". IO Similarly while the politics of funding and patronage some indigenous arts have has transformed the very nature of flourished in the last 50 artistic expression and the accessibil- Indigenous art - wooden bowls from the Ashanti Region years (e.g. kente weaving, ity of artistic products. Because for- (courtesy Ama de-Graft Aikins) wood carving, bead mak- eigners support and buy more ing"), others are dying (e.g. Ghanaian art than Ghanaians dOll , See for example UK's Africa '95, '05; Contemporary African Art ( 1999), A History of Art in Africa (2001); African Art Now (2005). III Kobina Nyarko Profile: www.africanencounters.com " In 2007 for example Ghanaian bead makers from the Krobo area were flown to Tanzania by a Tanzanian gaUerist to teach and train local beadmak ers. The rise of kente as an iconic cloth for pan-African expression and emancipation supports local kente weavers. U For example the manager of the Artists Alliance Gallery, lily Sefa-Boakye, notes that 80 percent of buyers are foreigners (mainly Euro-American) . .... 19 18 LAW AND CULTURE Independence In Dependence Exhibition by Nubuke Foundation, Accra's Artists Alliance Gallery, April 2007 (courtesy Kofi Setordji) artists produce for foreign - and pre- deliberate 'antiquing' of traditional artists, captured sentiment in the art dominantly Euro-American - sensibili- artefacts to satisfy the western aes- community: ties. In the afore-mentioned issue of thetic palate. ArtFOCUS a Canadian fine artist "In addition to the lack of institutions observed of her Ghanaian counter- Ghanaian art patrons do exist and in Ghana to care for and maintain the parts during a working visit to Accra : own formidable collections. But they artwork, I think [Seth Dei] under- do not receive the credit and support stands that value in the art world is "1 was surprised at how preoccupied due them. In March 2007, Mr Seth sadly determined by the west. artists were with developing, not Dei, a powerful local art collector with Putting his collection in the trust of ideas, but a marketable style. They an extensive collection of Ghanaian NYU in that regards is actually a pos- were not as concerned with ideas paintings dating back to the early itive thing for Ghanaian art, in that and styles that were being developed 1960s signed a deal with New York the western art world will lend by artists in my hometown of University to have his collection Ghanaian art the legitimacy and Toronto, as they were with whether stored. Mr Dei's decision was influ- value it deserves by featuring the the artists there were selling well. To enced in part by a lack of appropriate work in exhibitions they curate. me, there were many more questions institutional space in Ghana to hold Overall, I think it was a good move, to ask about art or through art, in and maintain his collection. The loss but I do agree that the move did not Ghana or elsewhere, beyond: 'Do of the Dei family collection to a for- trigger discussion in the media, which you think they would buy this in eign institution was sad. But even is another symptom of the media's America?'" sadder was the absolute silence that (and societ.r's) lack of reverence for met the deal: there was no public dis- the arts." Even in the realm of indigenous art - course on the merits or demerits of from arts centre stalls in Accra and Seth Dei's decision. Kwamina Ewusie, What does the future hold for Tamale to self-styled galleries and co-founder of African Encounters, a Ghanaian art? Saka Acquaye, the late museums springing up across the San Diego-based art agency that rep- great Ghanaian sculptor, playwright country - there is a new wave of resents Ghanaian and other African and musician argued: .. 20 19 LAW AND CULTURE African Encounters ExhibttJoo - MoM 2007-8. Exhibition of Ghanaian paintings by Afncan EllCOOnters, San Diego's Museum of Man, 2007 - Present (courtesy Kwamlna Ewusie) "We do not take our own art and cul- " Independence In Dependence" - an their work of training, nurturing and ture seriously - that is why Ghanaian exhibition of paintings, sculpture and representing local artists. These and African artists dre not encour- installations reflecting on Ghana's 50 groups, like Virginia Ryan and Joe aged by our own people. We must years of independence - was curated Nkrumah of the Foundation for place our art and culture in a more at the Artists Alliance Gallery by Odile Contemporary Artists, believe that modern perspective. People must be Agyare who co-founded and man- 'art is about life' and 'artists are a made aware of these values - ages Nubuke Foundation. 1• The work precious human resource'. They are because it is from them that we can of women artists, a marginalised sub~ working to ensure that the art that r~discover ourselves and draw the group, was showcased by The Loom, surrounds us in our everyday lives, inspiration to face our national Ghana's oldest gallery, and through and the artists who produce it, flour- responsibilities.''lJ the Women Artists Institute's (WAIl ish. They are nurturing that impor- art competition titled "Engraving the tant minority of visionary artists who Many might merely echo this critical Achievements of Women; 50 years of imagine beyond culture and produce observation and recommendation . Ghana's Development". In San Diego innovative work that transforms the But a growing number of local artists, a year·long exhibition of Ghanaian meanings we ascribe to art and to art collaborators and patrons are paintings was curated at the Museum ourselves through art. They are lob- actually doing something . During of Man by Kwamina Ewusie's African bying to push forward progressive Ghana's jubilee year it is this commu- Encounters.15 Institutions run by policies for the visual arts. The future nity which made the presence of artiSts, such as Professor Ablade of Ghanaian art needs all these ele- Ghana's art community felt in Ghana Glover's Artists Alliance Gallery and ments. and abroad . In Accra in April 2007, Kofi 5etordji's ArtHAU5, carried on James Gibbs (2007). Saka Acquaye: A talent is gone. Dally Graphic, March 31. W-HW.nubukefoundation.org W-HW.africanencounters.com ... 21 20 INTERNATIONAL A Postcard from America A Chance to Make History, Either Way Kofi Anyidoho" The United States of America has a date with History. A chance to make History. Or merely repeat it , as always. America has a gift to offer the White House and the world at large: the first ever Woman president or the first ever Black president. Either way, History would have been made. The world has always known of the American Dream, a dream built upon the great example of Abraham Lincoln, that it is indeed possible in America for a man to step out of an ancestral log cabin in the backwoods of Illinois and walk straight into the White House in Washington D.C. Great as the dream comes, some- The White House how, it has always been a man's dream, a white man's dream. Until a few months ago, any white woman White House has been "a man's it was not possible for a woman, even and especially any black man or black world", a white woman, to vote in America 's woman dreaming of the White federal elections. The State of House, would have had to have his or Not that America has not had women Colorado took the lead in 1893 with her head re-examined by a combined in public life who could have made legislation that gave women the right team of diviners and psychiatrists. outstanding occupiers of the White to vote. Illinois followed in 1921. It Such an idea has, until now, House. I still recall the excitement was not till 1920 that congress belonged only to the imagination of with which I first read the autobiog- passed the 14th Amendment to the the poet or novelist as a certified raphy of Eleanor Roosevelt. As I put federal constitution granting women divine dreamer. the book down, I couldn't help won- the right to vote. dering what she couldn 't have done Ghanaian poet and novelist KwadwQ with and for America if she had been Much of the credit for this major Abaidoo (of blessed memory), in his the preSident, rather than the preSi- breakthrough goes to a long cam- 1995 novel Black Fury, offers us the dent's wife. America, of course, had a paign led, among others, by Susan B. unlikely dream of America 's first great president in Franklin O. Anthony, who, unfortunately, did not woman president - President Ethel Roosevelt, but America missed out on live to see her dream come true, hav- Pinkerton. But Abaidoo's dream is set another, perhaps an even greater ing died in 1906. Ida B. Wells, the far beyond our own time, deep into preSident, in Eleanor Roosevelt. tireless black civil rights campaigner, the 21st century - 2027. So far, in the History was just not on her side. At on the other hand, may have been a history of real politics in the USA, the the time of her birth in October 1884, bit more fortunate and indeed was It Professor Kofi AnYldoho teaches in the Department of English, the Umversity of Ghana, Legon. He wrote thiS article dunng a recent viSIt to America before President George Bush's Afncan tour, whICh included Ghana ( 19-2f February 2008). ' 21 INTERNATIONAL of a similar dream by Dr. W.E.B. Du Bois early in the 20th century. At age 82 in 1959, Du Bois must have offered himself for the US Senate on the ticket of the American Labor Party in New York, merely to prove a point, a point already captured In hIS now proverbial statement that "the problem of the 20th century is the problem of the colour line". For well over a century, America seems to have been cursed with Du Bois's famous statement. Significantly, Du Bois was born on February 23, 1868, the very year the US Congress gave black men the right to vote. They couldn't have voted earlier, since the right to vote was open only to men who owned property. The black man or woman in America was, for a long time, not only property but indeed computed to be no more than three- fifths of a human being. Du Bois the realist was also a great dreamer. He Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, presidential hopefuls for the Democrats just could not give up on Black peo- able to offer herself in 1930 as a can- president would finally become a ple, not even on America. His poem didate for the Illinois legislature, per- reality, come January 1, 2009. But "Children of the Moon" ended with haps the first black woman to do so. that was before an even more daring the following prophetic dream: Thanks to the civil and women's dreamer stepped into the political rights campaigns of Anthony, Wells arena, the unlikely phenomenon of I rose upon the Mountain of the and others, Eleanor Roosevelt was the first black man in the White Moon ... lucky enough to have the right to House - Barack Obama. I felt the blazing glory of the Sun; vote. Becoming a president, however, I heard the Songs of Children crying, was dearly out of the question for To many of us, it began as an extrav- "Free!" women in her time and well beyond agant joke - a certain African- I saw the face of Freedom ... the time of her death in 1962. American IIInois Senator Barack And I died. Obama as a candidate in the Today, America has, once more, had Democratic Party 's primaries for These lines were published in 1920. a great president in Bill Clinton. America 's next president. Yes, it is The night Du Bois died in Ghana, on America is now being offered the true that Obama had already made August 27, 1963, a quarter of a mil- chance to have another, perhaps an some history by following in Abe lion Americans representing every even greater president, in Hillary Lincoln's footsteps from Illinois into race, every colour, every class, every Clinton, who, are told, seems to have the Senate in Washington. But some- religion, and both sexes, had already drawn much inspiration from Eleanor one needed to remind Obama of the gathered at the foot of the lincoln Roosevelt in her role as America's fate of the Rev. Dr. Jesse Jackson and Memorial in Washington DC, patient- First Lady. For a brief moment, it all his two abortive attempts to offer ly waiting for a new dawn in the his- seemed likely, almost certain, that himself as a presidential candidate. tory of America, a dawn that was to the dream of America 's first woman Maybe Obama is too young to know be launched with Rev. Dr. Martin .... 23 22 INTERNATIONAL Luther King's most memorable call to America to rise up to the truth of her own declared convictions: "I have a dream ... a dream deeply rooted in the American Dream", Clearly, Du Bois had seen the face of Freedom. And he died, knowing very well that the lonely struggle he and a handful of other freedom fighters had waged all his life, was about to break into a full scale battle - the Civil Rights Movement. My last memory of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King was when I watched him on Ghana Television leading yet another march on the long walk to freedom, daring the world to remem- moment on a valedictory five-nation Professor Merle Collins, recalled with ber that "Freedom is like life, you tour of Africa, right in the middle of a sense of guarded optimism how cannot have your life in installments; Black History Month, and will actually she had, a few weeks earlier, walked you must have it all, or .... " America be spending the President's Holiday into a 17,000 capacity auditorium to did not allow him to live long enough heading to my own country, Ghana . catch a glimpse of Barack Obama and to bring his dream to a closure. In In the meantime, here I am on a cold found that she could barely find doing so, America denied herself a windy morning sitting at Hotel enough standing room for herself. As great chance to be on the good side Newton's Key West Diner Cafe on she listened to th is miracle of a of history. Broadway at 9Sth Street, New York, young man and watched the awe on having a hot breakfast and eaves- the faces of the countless younger "History does not repeat itself", dropping on a most revealing conver- people in the auditorium, she won- writes the poet Kwadwo Opoku- sation on the table j ust behind me. dered whether she had strayed into a Agyemang . "It merely quotes us An elderly man in the group asks one dream that belonged in a different when we have not been wise of the young white women in the world . Then she became afraid, enough." That is why it has come to party who she expects as the next afraid of what could happen to pass in our time that almost half a president in the White House. dreams that are too beautiful to century after Rev. Dr. Martin Luther "Barack Obama", she answered, with- belong to their time and place. King and the March on Washington, out the slightest hesitation. I hold my we wake up one day to find a certain breath, expecting the older man to Merle was herself a young student in black Senator Barack Obama stand- raise an objection, at least a doubt. her native Grenada when the little ing at the foot of the Lincoln Instead, he observes, "the greatest island was caught in the transforming Memorial, daring America with the change Barack Obama will bring to glory of its dreamer leader Maurice launch of his March on the White the White House will be in the way Bishop. For a moment, it all seemed House. the rest of the world thinks of likely, almost certa in, that the world America." I relax, even as the was about to change, and in her Tomorrow, Monday, Februa ry 18, thought crosses my mind, "but what time. Then came one dawn, and with 2008, is a public holiday in the United does America think of the rest of the it, the American marines and their States of America - The President's world? What does America do with swift fighter planes. The rest of Day. I have been wondering which of and to the rest of the world?" Grenada's story is now part of the America's many presidents the day is repeated history of shattered being observed for. The current pres- Two days ago at the University of dreams. ident, George W. Bush, is at th is very Maryland at College Park, my host, 23 ~ 24 INTERNATIONAL History, then, teaches us that it is not unforgettable metaphor in probably a statue, but in the living testimony wise, or even safe, to cling too tight the most symbolic image of the of either the first Woman in the White to our dreams, however beautiful. unfulfilled dreams of Africans in House or the first Black man in the Many older Americans recall that they America-"Harlem on a Winter White House. Either way, America have not seen the nation surge for- Night": would have made history. In the ward with such energy, such opti- meantime, then, we must: mism, since John F. Kennedy. We Harlem, the dark dirge of America must pause and remind ourselves of heard at evening Hold fast to dreams. what happened to JFK and his dream mean alleyways of poverty For if dreams die of a new world. We must recall what dispossession, early death Life is a broken-winged happened to Robert Kennedy before in jammed doorways and creaking Bird that cannot fly. he could pick up the shattered pieces elevators of his brother's dream. glaring defeat in the morning Hold fast to dreams. of this beautiful beautiful America. For when dreams go Early in the 20th century, the Harlem Life is a barren field Renaissance poet Langston Hughes Somehow, we want to believe that Frozen with snow. told us about "what happens to a there is indeed a new spirit stirring dream deferred", and deferred too America up from five centuries of " Dreams", by Langston Hughes. often too long: "Does it dry up / Iike a hide-and-seek with her true destiny, raisin in the sun? .. ./Or does it the destiny of a great nation whose explode'" Decades later, Ghanaian most precious gift to the world is poet Kofi Awoonor gave the world an Liberty, not as in the frozen beauty of LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Dear Editor, 2008 we must ensure we have a level seats than the CPP, yet they could I refer to your NLO issue of 7 playing field and come out of the not get a caption of their own? February, 2008 Vol 2 NO. 3. In election proud that our democracy is Joseph R. A. Ayee's article, there growing and has the necessary Regards, were captions of the NPP flagbearer, resilience and robustness required to Kojo Addae-Mensah Nana Akufo-Addo, alone with his develop. However, if in the very arti- P.O Box 768 Accra party symbol, the NOC flagbearer, cle and in a journal like the NLO, we John Evans Atta Mills, alone with his are unable to play it fair, then do we Editors' Note party symbol and the CPP flagbearer have any basis to criticise the politi- Kwesi Nduom, alone with his party cally biased private newspapers? Are Thank you for your letter. The com- symbol. However, J was surprised to we not a/50 fanning the notion that in ments are well noted. The omission that was inadvertent and unintentional. realise for the PNC and Edward Ghana, we are unable to analyse Efforts are being made to obtain ctear- Mahama you again brought the other issues devoid of our politicallens€s? er pictures of all candidates and sym- three flag bearers together with bols for futUre reference. We appeal to President Kufuor and put the PNC I do not think the NLO was fair to the our readers and members of the pub- party symbol in between them. PNC in this case. Prof Ayee chose lic to send us digital images or photo- those four parties because they have graphs relevant to Ghana and Africa, In his article, Prof Ayee seeks to seats in parliament. That was fair towards building up a picture archive. advise the powers that be that in and indeed, the PNC even has more .... 25 24 The Ghana Society for Development Dialogue (GSDD) IS happy to announce the sale of its fortnightly Journat. THE NEW LEGON OBSERVER. The journal creates a platform for discussion of broad development policy issues and matters of public interest. Th e unit price IS two Ghana cediS (GH¢2.00). Copies for purchase are available at the ' Legon Bookshop ' Koala Supennarket • Airport Shell and ' ISSER Bookstore (Legon) To subscnbe to the joumat. kindly fill outlhe attached subscnption fonn and return to the Ag. Editor, New Legon Observer, ISSER. P.O. box LG 74 or fax to 021 512504 For purchases exceeding ten Ghana cedis (GH¢10) in value, the order will be delivered to your office I institution. Otherwise they may be sent by ordinary mail. I- ------------------------------------------.I I GHANA SOCIETY FOR DEVELPMENT DIALOGUE I , THE NEW LEGON OBSERVER I I : Subscription Form : I I I Company Name (in capitals): I I I I · I I I I I I Contact Person: I I I I I I I I I I Designation: I I I I I I I I I I Address/Contact Information: I I I I I I I I I : IE mail ~I Phone I : I - I I: I. No. of copies per issue: I!I. F ax '. !I III I I I Mode of Payment I I I I I I I I 12 Issues - GH¢24.00 24 Issues - GH¢48.00 I : Please make cheques payable to the Ghana Society for Development Dialogue : I I I I I _._ ... _. .... __ .... _ .... _-_ ... _ .. _.. _ .... _.. ....... _ .. _.. ..................... _ I : Signature: ·····-······································ D~;~ :·····............................. I ------------------------------------ -------~ 25 • BOOK REVIEW Classes and Tribalism in Ghana" Reviewer: Thomas Antwi Bosiakohl' Classes and Tribalism in Ghana, and Eastern Europe), the author con- industrial development and unsophisti· authored by no less a person than tends that the forces of reaction in cated financial institutions. One feature Ansa K. Asamoa, takes a critical look at Ghana 'are currenUy having a field day' of Ghana's economy which often fails the issues of class and tribalism as and so 'peripheral capitalism (backed to catch the attention of observers is they exist in contemporary Ghana in by empty slogans like 'rule of law', 'the the large peasant sector (about 6S% the author's view. It is undoubtedly a private sector as engine of growth', of the country's population). Apart great addition to locally produced 'enabling investment enVironment', from its labour intensive nature, it is introductory books on Sociology such 'freedom and democracy', 'good gover· also nourished by primitive imple- as Assimmeng's Understanding nance') is being nurtured zealously, ments. Entry into this sector is easy Society: An Introduc'"ion to Sociology while covert tribalism informs politics'. but growth is glaringly absent. for African Studen" (2006), and Nugunya's Tradition and Change in The book discusses essentially the In Chapter 3, Ansa Asamoa discusses Ghana (2003). class situation in Ghana and how vari- the class types found in Ghana. First, ous forms of class struggle are mani- he identifies the Ghanaian bourgeoisie In 1969, C. A. Ackah suggested that fest. The author begins with brief or the corporate community. Four clas- there was no social stratification in statements on whether or not classes sifications of Ghanaian 'bourgeoism' Ghana. He submitted that Ghanaian exist in Africa, and goes on to examine are observed - the comprador, nation- society was essentially communitarian the two most influential non-Marxist al, rural and petty bourgeoisie. The in nature and that the bourgeois / pro- sociological schools of thought on comprador bourgeoisie 'either repre- letariat distinctions characterised in classes - the consensus school repre- sent or are partners of foreign firms, Marxist terms by competition, antago- sented by K. Davis and W. E. Moore companies and monopolies in Ghana' nism, conflicts, etc were nonexistent. and the conflict school as ergued by (page 30). They include managers and This observation was rebuffed by Max Ralph Dahrendorf. He examines these individual shareholders of these estab- Assimeng in 1981. Assimeng suggest· schools of thought with sentiments of lishments as well as joint ed in one instance that one only had to Political Economy and Economic Ghana/foreign enterprises. visit such areas as Sukura, Nima, Anthropology, bringing out key argu· Characteristic of the comprador bour· Bukom, Sodom and Gomorrah and ments and criticism that underlie geoisie are otx:lurate guarding of for- contrast with similar visits to Osu, them. He then explores the general eign interests, investment of illegally Airport, East Legon, Ringway Estates economic background of the class sit· acquired capital abroad, and conscious etc to observe what he described as uation in Ghana. The structural frame· partnership with imperialist and neo· the 'incipient stages of class conscious- work of Ghana's economy is informed colonial elements in anti-national activ- ness' in the country. by foreign·capital dominated extractive ities. The national bourgeoisie is con- industries (mining, timber and cash stituted by indigenous Ghanaian entre- This book makes no attempt at dis· crop sectors) and undeveloped manu- preneurs, who, even though independ· cussing the various positions of schol- facturing industries made up of a vir- ent of foreign capital, are supported by ars on the issue of class and tribalism. tual absence of heavy industry and a the state capitalist credit system and What Ansa Asamoa seeks to do in his caricature of Western capitalist light therefore gain from foreign capital. Classes and Tribalism in Ghana is to industry. Other characteristics of They run local enterprises that have expose 'the neo-liberal vulgarisation of Ghana's economy include weak and both internal and external dimensions. the class issue' in Ghana. Grounding foreign dominated (Lebanese, They are mostiy in trade and com· his arguments in Marxist ideology Chinese, Indian etc) domestic trade, merce, transport and industry as well (with clear awareness of the collapse weak purchasing power which stands as SOCial services. Essentially, the of socialism in the former Soviet Union in the way of capital formation for national bourgeoisie are more progres- Classes and Tribalism In Ghana, Author: Ansa K. Asamoa, Publisher: Woeh Pubhshing ServiCes (2007), 91 pages. Thomas Antwi Bosiakoh 15 a graduate student In the SociologV Department, University of Ghana, legon. ~27 26 sive than the comprador bourgeoisie strands of the peasantry - middle and Ghana's economy, class structure and because they direct their energies to lower strata. These aside, white-collar the ethnic dimension of politics in the internal capital accumulation. The third workers - elites, middle and lower stra- country. The book also displays mas- category of the Ghanaian bourgeoism ta of the white-collar workers - are also tery of theoretical sophistications is the rural bourgeoisie, consisting of identifiee as separate social categories. underlying class issues. The author is rich capitalist farmers who hire other Ansa Asamoa argues that the various extremely paSSionate about the issues. people's labour on their farms and classes in Ghana are involved in inter The ideas expressec on class are espe- plantations. What is characteristic of and intra class struggles. He mentions cially inventive and stimulating. They this category of Ghanaian bourgeoism class struggle between the bourgeoisie put the reader face to face with impor- is its parasitic nature, exploiting and and the exploitee classes, struggle tant facts. Ideas are well organisec feeding on the surplus of the labour between the ruling classes, conflicts and chapters cohere or flow logically they employ. The last category of the within each of the bourgeoisie classes, into others. The style of presentation is Ghanaian bourgeoism is the petty conflicts between exploited classes generally devoid of extreme 'word- bourgeoisie, comprising private arti· and conflicts within an exploitee class. play' and therefore makes it appealing. sans, small shop keepers, retail Other dimensions of class struggle are Technical jargon and unfamiliar words traders, money lenders, middlemen found in the areas of politics, ideology are reeucee to the level of under- and other business owners who and economy. There is also a section standing of the general reader depend on their own labour. Petty devotee to the struggle of classes and bourgeoism is differentiatee from the political parties. The relevance of the book cannot be other types on the basis that it underestimated. With our march depends on its own labour A petty After discussing the class situation and towards a full-fledged democratic bourgeois is ambitious by nature and the various struggles (intra and inter) state, understanding the various occupies an intermediate position in Ghana, the book turns to the analy- dimensions of class issues and tribal · between bourgeoism and proletarian- sis of tribalism in the country. First, the ism, especially as they relate to the ism. He is not satisfied with his position book traces the root of tribalism (eth- Ghanaian situation is essential. The and aspires to be a comprador or nic sentiments) to times before colo· book will enhance understanding of national bourgeoisie. Only when all nialism. Mention is made of the our country a great deal. Students, lec- hopes to achieve this aspiration fail Mamprusi and Oagomba Kingdoms, turers, politicians, development does he dutches tightly to petty bour- creations of splinter Mossi groups experts, policy makers, parents etc will geoism. 'What he fears most is eventu- which invaded pre· colonial Northern find the book tremendously useful. al downward sodal mobility' (page 35). Ghana as well as the incessant attempts by the Ashantis to break The book however contains a few 'dif- After identifying the bourgeoisie types, Fante monopoly over trade with ficult-to-believe' arguments e.g. in the the author turns to the issues of prole· Europe, which lee to the Ashanti- first form of human economic activity tarianism and peasantry. The proletari- Denkyira wars. The book also exam- (early hunting and gathering period) at class, according to the author, com- ines ethnicity during colonial times and 'division of labour by sex scarcely exist- prises 'all workers skillee or unskillee, the anti-colonial struggle period. There ee' (p. 12). Anthropological evidence who in one way or the other, sell their is detailed discussion of ethnicity, suggests that, in hunting and gather- labour to the bourgeoisie or the state classes and politics in post-colonial ing times, division of labour existed not in the urban and rural areas'. Their Ghana. It provides a table indicating only by sex but also by age. Whereas material and social conditions are poor. occupants of very strategic poSitions in men hunted game, women collected By far the largest social class with the Ghana between 1965-1979 (page 73) fruits, vegetables, etc. And whilst basic force and most important social and another table indicating the rela- daughters l'ollowed mothers in line base for national liberation and devel- tionship between president Kufuor and with the lal'lOur division, sons trailed opment in Ghana is the peasantry. The some high office holders in Ghana adult men in the hunting expeditions. peasant sector not only feeds the (page 75). But this shortcoming notwithstanding country but serves as the source of the the book will remain one of the most greater percentage of the national A major advantage of this book is the challenging on class and tribalism, and income. The author identifies two very detailed information it provides on the interplay of classes, tribal ism and politics in Ghana. 27 OBSERVER NOTEBOOK Why Malaria is Still Killing Us: Barriers to Disease Control Ana Samarjian 19 The statistics are mind-boggling. Malaria is responsible for over one million deaths and 500 million cases of sickness each year. Two-fifths of the world's population lives at con- stant risk of malaria. In Africa, malar- ia is responsible for one out of every five cases of children's mortality. Perhaps the most staggering statistic is found in the sent· !nce often used by international and non-governmen- tal health organisations to impel donors to dig deep in their wallets: By the time you fin ish reading this paragraph, another child will have died of malaria. Though the disease has infected and accounting for 44 percent of all out- undertaken to find new drugs, poten- killed countless millions of people for patient cases and 22 percentof tial vaccines, and create effective thousands of years, there is arguably under-five mortality. Ghana reports public health policy. more interest in malaria now than at over 3.5 million cases of the diseases any other time in human history. each year, resulting in thousands of This article seeks to explain why, deaths. 2O The cost of treating malaria despite the efforts mentioned above Successful malaria eradication efforts , in Ghana in 2007 was $772.4 million, malaria control is still just a dream in many countries ir. the 19505 and 1960s ignited hope Jar global eradi- the country's entire health budget for instead of a reality in Ghana. The 21 cation, but the subsequent loss of 2008. Ghana is one of the recipient barriers to malaria control will be interest, funding, and new research countries of funding by the examined from the points of view of until the 1990s, and the difficulty of President's Malaria Initiative, a pro- the organisation/government, the eradicating the disease in hyper- gramme sponsored by the United researcher/scientist, and the individ- States Government that will give ual, all of whom are stakeholders in endemic countries headline the list of Ghana $51 million over the next three the fight against the disease. reasons why the global focus is now 22 on malaria control instead of eradica- years speCifically to tackle malaria • Barriers to Malaria Control tion. Multilateral initiatives such as Ghana also receives money from the Global Fund and several donor coun- Governments and Organisations the Roll Back Malaria campaign, the Global Fund, and international organ- tries. The National Malaria Control Programme and Ministry of Health Malaria is a huge public health crisis isations like UNICEF and the World Health Organisation are part of the devote funds and other resources to in Ghana and in much of Africa. National governments and interna- worldwide effort to combat malaria. prevention and treatment efforts and tional organisations have realised In Ghana, malaria is endemic, new research is constantly being " Ana Samarjian is Olrector of the Non-profit Organisation Netting Nations. World Health Organisation, World Malaria Report : Ghana, 2005 (Geneva: WHO, 2005). Edward Turkson, "Malaria Crippling Health Fund," Daily GraphiC, November 22, 2007. U U.S. Department of State, President's Malaria Initiative, 2008. http://www.pmi.gov. .... 29 28 OBSERVER NOTEBOOK that they must playa role in alleviat- marketing and creative alternatives cine against the disease, to get rid of ing the burden of disease because it to traditional distribution networks the paraSite-carrying mosquitoes, or not only affects the citizenry, but also and advertising strategies. Successful to make the mosquitoes themselves the economies and stability of the lobbying by organisations such as unable to carry the paraSite to their countries themselves. Malaria is both NetMark have convinced many gov- human hosts. These scientists are in a disease of poverty and a cause of ernments to do away with taxes and a battle not only against the disease, poverty. U While the scientific commu- tariffs on the import of treated mos- but against time, because home nity has created the medicines, treat- quito nets, but the fact remains that treatment and overuse of medica- ed nets, and insecticides to help com- officials at ports and country tions leads to resistance against the bat malaria, it is up to governments entrance points often still require drugs currently used against the dis- and organisations to provide the these fees to allow companies and ease. Chloroquine, once one of the financial backing and political will to groups to bring nets into the coun- cheapest and most effective anti- get these tools to the people affected tries. This highlights the problem of malarial drugs, is now ineffectual by malaria. The cruel feedback cycle translating promises and ideas into against many strains of the paraSite between malaria and poverty strains concrete results. in many countries, including in government efforts to appropriate Ghana. funds for malaria. Malaria is a disease that requires national-level planning but local-level A malaria vaccine is a very difficult Developing countries, which bear the execution. In Ghana, the National vaccine to create, due to the complex brunt of the malaria burden, often Malaria Control Programme and the life cycle stages of the paraSite, and have inadequate healthcare infra- Ministry of Health determine broad due to the fact that a short-term vac- structure - hospitals, clinics, trained national policies, but daily treatment cine would result in the loss of immu- healthcare workers - to reach victims and prevention efforts must happen nity people build up after repeated of disease, particularly in rural areas. locally, managed by Regional and bouts of the disease. A promising Grassroots efforts by local NGOs like District leaders, and implemented by new malaria vaccine has just been the Infanta Malaria Prevention pharmaCists, doctors, and community put into a second-phase trial in Mali, Foundation:M and international NGOs health workers. This requires though it will take several years to hit like the California-based Netting informed and timely intra-country the market even if it is eventually Nations2S offer an alternative method cooperation. Countries must also deemed effective.26 of getting nets and insecticides to work with each other, because mos- people, but these organisations can- quitoes don't recognise national While some success has been had in not operate on the scale of national boundaries, and eradicating malaria eradicating malaria from various governments. Governments and reg- in Ghana is meaningless if infected countries, SCientists and researchers ulatory commissions must also solve mosqUitoes from neighbouring coun- must also contend with the fact that the problem of counterfeit drugs and tries fly over the border to infect certain climates breed the parasite- the difficulty faced by people in Ghanaians once again. carrying Anopheles mosquitoes year- developing nations of identifying round, raising the level of difficulty of them. Scientists and Researchers controlling the vector. Governments also face a stiff chal- While national governments and local Individual lenge in getting their populace to and international organisations focus As complicated and taxing as the bar- take attitude change seriously; where on malaria prevention and treatment, riers are faced by governments, malaria is endemic, it is accepted as scientists and researchers are at the international organisations, and sci- a fact of life. Creating changes in forefront of the battle, undertaking entists, malaria is a disease contract- behavior becomes a matter of social advanced research to create a vac- ed one at a time, and the impact is l) Jeffrey Sachs and Pia Malaney, "The EconomiC and Social Burden of Malaria," Nature 415 (February 2002): 680. )0 Infanta Malaria Prevention Foundation, 2008, http://www.infantamalana.org . II Nettlng Nations, 2008, http://www.nettlngnations.org.Netting Nations, 2008, http://www.nettingnatlOns.org. A Robert Preldt, "Malaria Vaccine Shows Promise In Small Trial ,~ HealthDay News, January 24, 2008. 29 .. 30 OBSERVER NOTEBOOK greatest on the person, especially the Malaria prevention is even more diffi- Despite their effectiveness in pre- child, who contracts the disease. cult than malaria treatment for the venting malaria and the nuisance of Fever, anaemia, developmental prob· average individual living in a malaria- insects at night, mosquito nets terns, coma, and even death are the endemic zone. Prophylactic drugs are restrain air flow when it is hot, mak- potential consequences of malarial only practical for short-term travellers ing sleeping uncomfortable, and are infection. Due to the familiarity and in malarial areas due to high cost and impractical to use when people sleep frequency of the disease, most cases concern for long-term side effects. outside, on roofs, or in homes with are treated at home. In urban areas, The best, and often only, method of clay or mud walls. These logistical this usually involves medicine pur- malaria prevention in endemic areas problems explain why many people chased from a local pharmacy and is to avoid getting bitten by mosqui- do not use nets even when they have taken at home. In rural areas with lit- toes. The most widely advertised them. At the same time, these prob- tle or no access to health facilities, method is the use of mosquito nets, lems have presented the opportunity treatment often consists of home particularly insecticide-treated nets, to develop new technologies and remedies and expired or counterfeit to prevent bites at night while a per- designs to make nets as appealing to medicines, taken at dosages too low son sleeps, since the malaria-carrying use as they are effective. to cure the disease but high enough female mosquitoes that transmit the to encourage resistance development disease prefer to feed on human It is well documented that education in mosquitoes. Drug resistance also hosts between dusk and dawn. does not always result in behavior tends to increase when the disease is However, even when people have change, and this explains why, after not properly diagnosed by a doctor, access to nets, either through direct efforts to educate the masses about since people often take antimalarial commercial purchases, subsidised malaria prevention, some people drugs even when malaria is not the purchases, or free net distributions have learned to cover or drain areas cause of illness, just in case. through the health sector, they do of standing water, use mosquito nets, not always use the nets properly. and keep their surroundings clean, while others continue to ignore these and other suggestions. Conclusion Malaria is a disease that is both pre- ventable and treatable. In an age of unprecedented interest in the world- wide fight against disease, it is an ail- ment that continues to decimate the lives of millions of people across the world. As this paper has outlined, obstacles are faced by every level of stakeholder. The most important message conveyed by this list of obstacles is that each problem has a clear, workable solution. It is simply up to each individual, researcher, organisation, and government to cre- ate and undertake a determined path of action to eliminate, once and for all, the scourge of malaria in our world. Bales of Mosquito Nets at a Warehouse 30 • • \ • • UNIVERSITY OF CA OAST Applications are invited for the post of VICE-CHANCELLOR 1. QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE 5. MODE OF APPLICATION Candidates must be of professorial status with an a) Interested candidates should send two (2) outstanding academic record. They must be copies of their curriculum vitae, with quali- individuals of stature and integrity with exemplary fications , working experience, list of leadership, interpersonal and communication skills , publications with dates etc. zeal , energy and the capacity for marshalling the resources needed to carry out the University's vision b) Candidates should send in, a minimum of in the 21st Century. Candidates must also show two (2) pages and a maximum of eight (8) evidence of the following qualities: pages of A4 paper in 1.5 line spacing, a succinct statement of their vision for the a) demonstrated ability or potential to University of Cape Coast and the strategies manage a University; for achieving this . b) ability to foster and promote good internal c) Applications should be addressed to: and external relations of the University; The Chairman, c) ability to project effectively the image of the Search Committee (Post of Vice·Chancellor) University internally and externally; Council Secretariat. University of Cape Coast, d) proven ability to provide strong , visionary Cape Coast, Ghana. leadership and innovation for the University. OR 2. TENURE OF OFFICE The Chairman , Candidates must be eligible to hold office for a Search Committee (Post of Vice·Chancellor) , minimum of 4 four (4) years from the date of University of Cape Coast, appointment before retirement. c/o Universities of Ghana Overseas Office, 3. FUNCTIONS 321 City Road. London EC1V 1LJ. The Vice·Chancelior is, under the direction of the UK University CouncIl , the Academic and Administrative Head as well as Chief Disci·plinary Officer of the d) Candidates should request three (3) University. He/She is also responsible to the referees to submit reports on them directly University Council for maintaining and promoting the to the above address. good order and efficiency of the University. His/Her other functions are prescribed by the Statutes of the e) The closing date for submission of application University. for this position is 31 March, 2008. 4. CONDITIONS OF SERVICE CHAIRMAN Very attractive terms and conditions of office will be Search Committee specified in the instrument of appointment. •• ~ ~ ~ek SSNIT PENSION SCHEME OLD AGE / RETIREMENT PENSION • ..... 'n. ..... INVALIDITY PENSION • • SURVIVORS' LUMP SUM FOR FURTHER ENQUIRIES CONTACT: THE HEAD OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT, SSNIT PENSION HOUSE, P.O. BOX MB 149, MINISTRIES, ACCRA TEL: 021 ·667131/4·9,668663·5 EXT. 7207' 7209' 7210' 7212 TEl/FAX: 021 ·667742·686373 • TELFAX: 7011367 or any SSNIT Bnnch E·mail: public@ssnit.org.gh • Website: www.ssnit.com Toll-Fre. No. 0-800-l33 ·33 Printed by G-Pak Ltd (main subsidiary, Graphk Communications Group ltd) for The Ghana Society for Development Dialogue. Please address all correspondence to: The Acting Editor, New Legon Observer, P. O. Box lG 490, Accra, Ghana and bye-mail to newlegonobserver @ug.edu.gh. Contact us at Tel : 512503 Ext 109, Fax: 512504