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| Nduom Press Releases |
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| Obama’s Visit – An Opportunity to Clean Our En |
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| Sat, Nov 21st 2009 |
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Most Ghanaians agree that the announced visit of President Barack Hussein Obama of the United States of America to Ghana will be good for our country. American Presidents have found it necessary to visit Fourth Republic Ghana. First to visit was Bill Clinton, then George W. Bush and now Barack Obama. There is something about America that excites the ordinary Ghanaian. There is also something about Ghana that excites American Presidents.
Unfortunately, some think of the visit of an American President as another opportunity to hold out the begging bowl and “plead” for all manner of gifts large and small. They forget that the small country that Ghana is, we must have something that the Americans also want. There is a cultural heritage we share with millions of African-Americans. We are a “safe” democracy that is also “easy” on foreign eyes. We can become a highway for foreign producers to reach millions of African buyers. And now we have something Americans need – oil and gas.
Combine our oil and gas with our relatively stable environment and we become a safe haven for access to the vast natural resources to be found in West and Central Africa. Ghana is important to America. We owe this to all Ghanaians not just to the political parties who happen to be power when the Americans come to visit.
The point here is a very simple one. People the world over use special occasions, visits of friends, relatives etc to clean up their houses and environments. It is a normal, natural thing to do. No one wants a visitor to go away with a negative impression. We paint our houses, fix cracks in the walls, buy new furniture and do many things ostensibly for the comfort of our visitors and in the end improve our own standard of living. We use funerals, weddings and festivals to show to invited guests and the general public that we live in decent homes and environments.
President Obama is arguably the most popular personality in the world today who commands great attention from the international media. So his visit will gain for Ghana potentially more exposure to the rest of the world than many other events and presidential visits. Therefore, instead of asking what he is bringing to us as gifts, let us give ourselves a big gift. Let us clean our homes and environment in preparation for the visit and continue to make it a habit nationally. We do not have to wait for visitors to motivate us to clean where we live but it is an opportunity we should not miss to boost the image and self-respect of our own people.
I am not just talking about removing unauthorized structures and sweeping our compounds. I am suggesting that we use resources we have – Community Police, the Sanitation Guards at the various District Assemblies to stop people – especially the men who stop anywhere to urinate. We should stop people from soiling the environment at our beaches. We should stop people from throwing garbage from cars, taxis and buses.
This is the time for President John Mills to lead a national public crusade. As was done in China recently before the Olympic Games, we should begin regular public service announcements on radio and television on what to do and not to do every day. The Chinese were taught not to spit, urinate and throw garbage around. They were taught not to push or jump queues. They achieved a better China. We should also aim at achieving a better Ghanaian environment. Fines applicable should be publicized and applied to good visible effect. This crusade will mean equipping the Sanitation Departments at the District Assemblies well to ensure proper cleaning of gutters, public areas, beaches, lorry parks and markets. It will also mean re-dedicating ourselves to rid our society of malaria, guinea worm and such diseases. It will mean teaching our drivers to extend courtesies to each other and the public.
For once, let us do something for ourselves and if the Obama visit inspires us to impress the world, all the better.
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