EDITORIAL: Our Big
Brother Should Relax the Muscles
The trade embargo imposed on
Ghana by the Nigerian government is unarguably a bad one.
Especially that it happens at a time when the region should be
encouraging inter-regional trade in the face of Western and
European trade restrictions.
Nigeria is undoubtedly a sub regional power block. With a
population of over 130 million, oil and abundant natural
resources, it represents a viable and an alternative market
for ECOWAS and to an extent, the bid towards south-south
cooperation.
We also note that outside protocol agreements, Nigeria is
Ghana's big brother. The two have had a cordial relationship
spanning over several years. Indeed, the warmest of
inter-state relations that ever existed within the sub region
in current times could unarguably be said to be the one
between Ghana and Nigeria.
It is therefore unacceptable that Nigeria turns its back on
Ghana at this moment.
Really, if the Nigerian government's decision is to protect
its fledgling manufacturing industries, we suggest there are
ways to that end without charting the path it has adopted.
Public Agenda therefore associates itself with the calls by
Hon. Kwabena Adusa Okerchiri, Chairman of the Parliamentary
Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Hon. John Mahama, the
National Democratic Congress's Member of Parliament for Bole
Bamboi and Minority Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs that the
two presidents of the two nations initiate a discussion on the
matter.
Public Agenda also calls on the government of Ghana to make
use of the established structures within ECOWAS, including the
Authority of Heads of State and Government, the Council of
Ministers, the Community Parliament, the Economic and Social
Council the Community Court of Justice and the Executive
Secretariat to get the issue addressed.
Time to Recognize Excellence
The prominence of the adage, "An applaud must be given to
someone who prevails" is as relevant to the itinerary of our
today's socio-economic development just as it was during the
time the sage composed it.
Unfortunately, in this society of ours, it is rare to see
people bestowing praises on persons of excellence.
It is against this backdrop that the organizers of the
Millennium Excellence Awards deserve commendation for the
recognition it has bestowed on the twenty-seven individuals
and corporate bodies, for their distinguished services and
contributions to the development of the country.
Apart from inspiring others to emulate the strides of the
winners, awards of this nature spur on the spirit of service.
The 'Global Excellence Award', the highest of the awards,
bestowed on the United Nations Secretary-General, Mr. Kofi
Annan for his exemplary global leadership, would in no doubt
propel many of our youth to strive for excellence in their
fields of endeavours, be it in Ghana or elsewhere.
Undoubtedly, the organizers achieved excellence themselves by
adjudging Professor Kwabena Frimpong Boateng, Chief Executive
of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital as the 'Personality of the
Decade'.
This is a man whose singular effort has rejuvenated the
hitherto dying Teaching Hospital.
In the beginning, his detractors nearly won the battle when
they started throwing 'unnecessary' missiles in an attempt to
thwart his intended plans for the development of the nation's
largest hospital. Everything is clear now! The man has
achieved a rare excellence worthy of emulation.
Public Agenda is also happy to share in the joy of the award
winners especially, Apostle Kwadwo Sarfo's Humanitarian Award.
We say kudos to all the winners.
