One of Ghana’s surviving diplomats under Kwame Nkrumah’s era, K. B. Asante, says Ghana’s overreliance on the western world for its developmental needs has greatly affected its progress.
He believes that the the West African nation has since the 1966 coup that toppled the CPP government retrogressed after having lost its independent mindset.
“When we became independent, we decided to get rid of the complexes that we had in the past – slave trade, the black man is not that developed and not a full man and Nkrumah said we were ripe for self government and that we were going to establish a great nation, metropolis of learning, industry and culture”.
“Most of us believed in that – and we started and created a great and prosperous Ghana. Then along the line, especially, after the coup we started going back and turning to others to help us. What is done outside is more important than what we ourselves here believed in”.
“That idea, unfortunately, is still with us in many ways”, he said.
Interacting with Fiifi Banson on Anopa Kasapa on Kasapa 102.3 FM, Monday, Mr. Asante was also Nkrumah’s first Secretary said at 59; Ghana must resolve not to rely on its development partners to balance its budget.
“At this time that we are 59, we should decide and resolve to get it away. We are great people – we can develop this country not others”.
“If we pay our taxes, we should see to it that the government uses it properly. If somebody misuses the fund we should be angry and let the law takes it course in otherwords he or she should be dealt with. Let us cut our coat according to our size”.
