When i read it on the papers yesterday, i just couldn't stop thinking  about the amount of development work this can do. Even though here in Ghana critics are still saying, that is  not enough but atleast for a start. One thing Ghanians really appreaciate is the freedom to do anything within the laws of the country and you are not arrested or killed. Some Ghanians will tell you no matter what they are happy that at last there is freedom of speech and expression.

It was just the other day on a hot TV and radiodebate on car loans to MP. People were asked to call in and comment on the $20000 car loan to MPs and public opinion was really negative. The following morning Kafour came on TV and announced the cancellation of the whole idea since the people who voted for the MPs are against the whole idea. The man so far has been changing so many things, the legacy of Rawlings will take them a while to clear which Kafour and his government made it clear to the people but that won't stop them from engaging into serious economic development. Ghana produce almost all their basic needs and they are still working to improve the quality of their products. Kafour has launched a heavy campaign on promoting Ghanian products to the international markets . There are numerous trade fairs every year to promote and open up Ghanian market to the international market.

Kafour so far has been doing great with all kinds of distractions from Rawlings and his party members. All i hope and pray for them is that Kafour keep it up. I met  him personally, he is very focus, sound minded and calm. The guy lives just 5 minutes walk from our office, there are lots of security issues about his house in the mids of offices and private homes. He felt that as far as he is concern the Ghanian people are no threat to him as long as he continues to do what is asked of them. Yes he is concern about his security but he refused to live in the Castle Rawlings build for his own empire which his people said is full of Ghanian blood.

My sister always come back home with lots of Whys'. Why can't we have this or that in the Gambia? Why can't we produce this or that in Gambia? She was taken by suprise in Ghana becaue she had a very negative imagine of Ghana and Ghanians. That has changed when she got here.

The Struggle Continues!!

Ndey Jobarteh

 

 

 

 

>From: [log in to unmask]

>Reply-To: The Gambia and related-issues mailing list <[log in to unmask]> >To: [log in to unmask] >Subject: Re: The right way for Ghana >Date: Wed, 27 Feb 2002 14:18:17 EST > >Joe, > I agree with your take on the package Ghana secured yesterday. It >is a substantial amount of money that would go a long way to addressing the >very important needs that Ghanians have. The government that was legitimately >elected by the Ghanian people was worked hard and demonstrated a real desire >to move their nation forward and that is precisely the reason they have >entered into this important partnership. With these resources on hand they >can begin to work on very ambitious plans that would prepare their people to >succeed in the global economy . One of the first things President Kufor did >upon taking office was to address the festering national fissures caused by >the brutal and vicious early years of Rawlings . He set up a process in which >the victims murdered by Rawlings were dug up and their remains handed over >to their relatives for proper interment. The same process is designed to >address the issues of culpability resulting in the victims and Ghanian >society at large having renewed faith in the concept of justice. Next he >embarked on tackling corruption and inefficiencies within the public sector >and also worked hard on ways to revitalise what has become a moribund private >sector. Finally he worked on an outline that spells out how every cent of >debt relief was going to applied to specifically identified sectors . The key >to any such plan is it's long term viability, the transparency mechanisms >built into it and proper scoring and the donors ability to gauge progress as >it unfolds. . The combination of all these factors together with impeccable >democratic credentials made Ghana the deserving partner that the G8 and >multilateral lending institutions are looking for in Africa. I predict they >will do well for their citizens. > Now our situation in the Gambia is the exact opposite of what is >required to get similar partnerships. We have a murderous regime that thrives >on corruption and falsifies economic data and worst of all siphons off grants >and aid money. Yahya is on a deliberate quest to financially ruin the nation >and have as many people as possible unable to fend for themselves in their >own country. To him Gambians have a greater preference for being beggars >especially if he can throw them crumbs of their resources in return for >political favors. It is a very tragic set of circumstances in that our >country is forgoing a lot of help because they are sadly saddled with a >leadership unworthy of them. >Karamba > ><>//\\<>//\\<>//\\<>//\\<> > >To view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface >at: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/gambia-l.html >To contact the List Management, please send an e-mail to: >[log in to unmask] > ><>//\\<>//\\<>//\\<>//\\<>