Beyond the Ballot Box: Ghana’s Crossroads Between Politics and Progress
By E.A. Randolph-Koranteng (Rev)
A striking dichotomy defines our current moment. As nations like China channel their collective energy into monumental projects—advancing human capital in science and technology, constructing infrastructure, and manufacturing for the global stage—our national discourse in Ghana is narrowly preoccupied. Our headlines and heartbeats sync not with the rhythm of industrial production or innovative breakthroughs, but with the perpetual cycle of electoral politics: who will lead an opposition party, who will replace a president barely a year into his term, and even, astoundingly, early strategizing for elections three years away while we are still importing tomatoes and onions from supposedly dessert neighboring countries.
We have mastered the art of political competition. We have honed electioneering to a fine craft, perhaps even surpassing our mentors in democratic procedure. We take pride in guarding ballot boxes, a sacred democratic duty. Yet, this expertise stands in tragic contrast to our glaring inability to guard the national purse and our common resources. While others build bridges, we witness the poisoning of our life-giving water bodies through illegal mining, a destruction that marches on as our political engines rev for the next internal party primary.
The entire psychic fabric of our society seems wired for political combat. We are becoming a nation of brilliant election engineers but poor future architects. This singular focus has crowded out the sustained, strategic focus required for national development.
The uncomfortable truth is this: no government, regardless of its party symbol, can alter our fortunes until we, as a nation, collectively pause and define a functional, enduring national vision. We must radically address our weak economic fundamentals and transition from a consumption-driven commentary to a production-driven reality. Without this deliberate shift—from politicking to productivity, from partisan rivalry to patriotic resolve—we are destined to remain mere spectators and commentators in the fierce arena of the global economy, forever watching the progress of others.
This diversion of national energy is so pervasive it has even reshaped other spheres. Disturbingly, many perceived prophets and spiritual leaders appear less interested in shepherding their flocks toward moral grounding and societal healing. Instead, they are increasingly absorbed in offering prophetic directions to politicians and openly campaigning for candidates, trading spiritual authority for political access.
History presents a puzzle: how did once-backward Europe so rapidly overtake advanced ancient civilizations? The answer lies not in resources, but in transformative ideas preached from pulpits—a gospel that reshaped ethics, work, and society’s very foundations.
The question before us is stark: When will our primary battle cry shift from “Win the Election” to “Build the Nation”? Our political machinery is impressive, but it is time to redirect that formidable energy, talent, and passion toward agriculture, building institutions, industries, and innovation. Our future depends not just on who holds the flag, but on what we build while they hold it.
By E.A. Randolph-Koranteng (Rev)
Author of the Book “Tomorrow Happened Yesterday”
