Ghanaian comedian, Kwaku Sintim-Misa, has expressed concerns about some of the factors stifling Ghana’s economic growth which are still being practised today.
According to him, prioritising religion over employment, nepotism and others, led to the collapse of state-owned enterprises and left the country lagging economically. He said these practices are still being followed today.
In his submission on YouTube, KSM recounted the critical decision faced during the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) era in the late 20th century.
At the time, he said the government had to choose between restructuring state-owned enterprises or privatising them.
He narrated that Ghana opted for privatisation, selling off numerous factories and state organizations.
KSM, recounting further, said this move did not yield the desired results.
“There were all these state organizations, but they were not generating enough revenue. At that point, Ghana had two choices: either re-engineer the thinking and recalibrate the agenda of these institutions by appointing competent managers, or sell them off to the private sector. We chose to sell them off.
“Incidentally, most of the factories and things that we sold didn’t go into the private sector per se, but mostly into the hands of pastors who established chapels. They became churches instead of factories. The factories that used to employ people are no longer there. In place of that are churches,” KSM explained.
He added that the youth, who should be employed in these factories, were left unemployed and dependent on prayer for job opportunities.
“There are no longer jobs for the youth, but there are big churches and they have great programs. Monday is worship night, and Tuesday is worship congregation. Friday is Friday night service. All the youth who have been left unemployed, instead of looking for work, will go to the church and then pray for work,” he stated.
KSM also criticised the culture of nepotism, citing instances where unqualified individuals were hired based on personal connections rather than merit, leading to the downfall of these institutions.
“CEOs who should be in meetings with ministers are instead attending funerals. We employed relatives and friends, and that destroyed our state corporations. These foolish practices crushed us, and we are still doing it,” he said.
To address these challenges, he has called for a shift in mindset, particularly among the youth.
He urged Ghanaians to embrace efficiency and a forward-thinking approach to align with the demands of the modern world.
“The youth must understand that we need a change in our attitudes before anything else can improve. The mindset must change. Our current mindset does not fit into the modern world of dynamic progress. We are still thinking in an analogue way, but we are living in a digital generation,” he stated.
ID/EB
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