Ghana, which is a country rich in culture, history and resources, has been the shining star of Africa for a very long time now. However, despite its potential, many Ghanaians are disillusioned with the country.
Some people always complain about bad governance, corruption and lack of opportunities, among others. Nevertheless, as much as these concerns are valid, it is important to remind ourselves about patriotism in our nation-building process.
Patriotism in its purest form means love of one’s country and the desire to contribute towards its development.
It includes making various sacrifices, regardless of size, so that society as a whole can be better off. Unfortunately though, this sense of patriotism seems to have died down among many Ghanaians recently, particularly the young generation.
Moreover, over the years, more youth have lately perceived leaving Ghana for better lives elsewhere, through foreign job offers and seeking education opportunities than building their own motherland.
However, while they may be right to feel frustrated, there are severe implications we must think about, when we abandon our duties as nationals.
The actual problems that the government must take responsibility in solving have been mentioned severally. But pointing out fingers is not the only answer here.
In this regard, the citizens need to ask themselves how they are contributing to national growth efforts. Do we hold our leaders accountable, participate in the democratic process or just wait?
Let us look around. National sectors such as agriculture, technology and the creative arts are full of potential.
For example, a number of projects have been initiated by the government through programs like Planting for Food and Jobs initiative (PFJ) and the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP).
Although they might not be perfect, these initiatives serve as entry points for Ghanaian youth to script their own future.
Furthermore, the global creative arts sector and technology industry is booming—Ghana is no exception. Young Ghanaians can now exploit digital platforms to showcase their talent to the world without leaving the boundaries of Ghana.
It is all about exploring these opportunities that exist there and seizing them with both hands. Even when you seem to be against all odds, patriotism means believing in your country’s potential for progress and working towards it.
This is why The Chronicle thinks that the government must also play its role if patriotism is to grow. Merely calling upon citizens to be patriotic without addressing genuine grievances is not adequate.
We are of the opinion that in order to deal with the mass exodus of Ghanaians to abroad, in search of better lives, the government should put in place policies that promote quality life standards for all its citizens.
We opine that it is in the genuine interest and not mere rhetoric, of every government to create more job opportunities. Thankfully, the two leading political parties—the New Patriotic Party and the National Democratic Congress—have launched their 2024 manifestos with promises to create jobs.
While The Chronicle welcomes that plan, we are not persuaded by the words of their mouths, kept in a document called a manifesto. We look forward to witnessing the manifestation of the promises by whoever assumes office.
The next government must concentrate on job creation through the support of industries that have the capacity to employ many people, including agriculture, manufacturing and service sectors.
In this regard, we think that the Akufo-Addo government’s One District, One Factory policy and the 24-hour economy plan of the potential Mahama government could move in tandem.
We are not economists, but we know that encouraging private sector growth by investing in infrastructure and reducing bureaucratic bottlenecks can lead to more job opportunities for young people.
Also, promoting local production of goods and services will provide employment opportunities and encourage the locals to feel proud about their locally manufactured products. This will also reduce the appeal for foreign goods and hence reduce the desire to migrate.
