It is interesting how the black man keeps leaving traces that contradict the assertion that he is capable of managing his own affairs. By now, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah may be regretting his words wherever he is. Inasmuch as globalization and privatization are key drivers of economic development, it is worth noting that capitalism favours the rich more than it does the poor. The government of Ghana particularly in recent leadership has shown how difficult it is for government to man lucrative assets for the benefit of poor Ghanaians. The thought of selling the Saglemi Housing Project to private entities is a typical example of this notion.
As you are well aware, arguments over the sale of state assets or divestiture have been a major feature of the struggle for the ownership of property among classes. Within the current decade, it began with the sale of Ghana Telecom to Vodafone. This was followed by the sale of Ghana’s non-controlling interests of 5% to Anglogold Ashanti Ltd. Did you even know that Golden Tulip was first state-owned? Some other privatized companies in Ghana include the Tema Steel Company Limited (T.S.C.L), the West African Mills Company Limited (WAMCO) among others. The sale of these assets set the pace for a historical realization that the government is somewhat incapable of managing its assets.
Today, it is the Saglemi House Project that is being considered for sale. Is it then truly the case that anything that is state-owned cannot be managed properly by those put in charge? The excuse of using the money that is to be generated from the sale to support affordable housing makes this thought even more ridiculous. Is the Saglemi Housing Project not aimed at providing affordable housing to Ghanaian workers? Will the facility remain “affordable” after its sale? Come to think of it, is it not just utility systems left for the project to be ready to run? Or should we assume that some bigwigs have just once again gathered around a table to share public funds among themselves as the whites did to Africa at the Berlin Conference of 1884?
It is pathetic to realize that the government of Ghana is indicating that the almost-ready project cannot be managed by the state. It is not surprising that state-owned enterprises are gradually collapsing due to corruption and mismanagement. In fact, our leaders need to do better for even the ordinary Ghanaian is no more oblivious to the greed and selfishness of most politicians. It is pathetic.
How I wish all Ghanaians would rise against the sale of the Saglemi Housing Project. How I wish we would all unite with one voice and kick against such recklessness. At this point, if there is any hope left, then it resides in the actions of the patriotic Ghanaian else we may regret our inactions someday.
Content created and supplied by: SirJoe1 (via Opera
News )