In December 1978, China it shifted from a communist, isolated society to an open-market-driven state, and in 2001 became a member of the WTO to join globalisation. Under various communist leaders, each had their own masterplan to bring China to the top in world economics and as a powerhouse to be reckoned with. The visions were broken down in 5-year execution plans carefully drafted, followed and adjusted when and where needed. One-party state saw each plan through without disturbances by the will of the people, especially from Hong Kong.
Ghana, as a mainly two party states has no masterplan embedded in four- or five years exceution plans. Manifestos of the two main parties, NPP and NDC, seen as vision, are ideas in the wind of change. A vision sees beyond four or eight years of reign into the future of at least one, mostly two generations, the next 25 and 50 years to come. China’s one-party state with a strong army backing the system does not go on the election trail every three and a half years with enough time to execute its long-term vision. Lesser economic strength makes it harder for China`s leaders to sustain their original concept of rulership without increased opposition. The wisdom to copy the West and sell their products made in China back to them while brain-draining their expertise in forced Joint Ventures follows the masterplan.
Ghanaians do not know how to copy and brain drain the West as they have no masterplan based on no long-term vision for mother Ghana. When general or regional elections are on the table, politicians panic, promising projects not well thought through to please the voters, begging them for their support. Sports stadiums and theatres cost money and are used by few, often left abandoned when the first cheers are gone. They are not money-making machines like factories, modern agriculture, innovative workplaces in offices and small-scale businesses, modern power production, high-speed transportation systems with good roads and tracks, to mention a few. Regional airports please the eyes of locals while being a burden to the national purse. The patchy, often hasty politics of Ghana to win votes does not create a regional or African powerhouse nor prevent Ghanaians from migrating illegally to countries like Germany, where most (but not all!) of them work in simple jobs.
The new constitution draft voted for in 2027 in a referendum cements the current problems of Ghana for one or two more generations, giving political parties more breathing space. China stands before the world in one dress while Ghana is a country of many colours. Was late US country singer Dolly Parton really thinking of her childhood when she composed this famous song, or deep in her heart knowing what Ghana is going through?
