GHANA’S 2013 FROM AFAR: A YEAR OF MILK, HONEY AND VINEGAR(1)

It is quite intriguing to know how some individuals and even a whole nation could believe in the significance of numbers. For some, 2013 with the number 13 at the end is a no-go area for them. As to whichever way they want to approach 2013, life goes on in Ghana(GH).

For me,2013 in Ghana would be very interesting as the year shares a lot with 1993 and history repeating itself in so many ways.

Before looking at what 2013 has in common with 1993 in Ghana, let’s cast our minds to back to a few decades, certain years which had “3” at the end such as 1983 among others have imprints on the minds of those dead, alive and yet to be born.

Quickly starting from 1963, Ghana’s first President, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah introduced the Seven-year Development Plan(SDP).
This plan was to develop Ghana to the status of well advanced Western countries but the infamous 1966 coup d’état stalled this agenda making Kwame Nkrumah’s dream short lived . Regimes and governments which came after him did not show any interest in it either leading to Ghana’s current state.

It was in the same year that Dr. Nkrumah, Emperor Haile Selassie among other leaders of Africa called for the unity of the continent by forming the Organization of African Unity(OAU) ,now the Africa Union(AU).

Ten years down the line(1973), Ghana had a military leader by name General Ignatius Kutu Acheampong who won the hearts of many due to his policies. He introduced the most famous “Operation Keep Right” which determined the kind of vehicles imported into and driven in Ghana.

With this policy, it was no longer accepted to drive cars which had steering wheels to the left. Today, the latter is rather practiced in Ghana with right driven cars no longer welcome in the country.

Another policy which was and is still popular in Ghana is the “Operation Feed Yourself” which aimed at developing self-reliance in agriculture among Ghanaians.

Fast-forwarding the clock to 1983 under Flt Lt. Jerry John Rawlings, both young and old Ghanaians would not want to experience what the country went through in that year .

With its worst drought in 1983, many felt “true hunger” where coming across food to survive was everybody’s wish. Some water bodies had their fair share (drying up) as many plants withered and some going into extinction. Cash and non-cash crops were affected seriously.

1993 was just a decade later but since it has a couple of things in common with 2013, it will be important to shift it to the end…