#03: The relevance of National Unity to the economic, political and social development of Ghana.

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We differ from each other in diverse ways. Although geographically one, Politically, religiously, culturally and economically we live different lives. So it can easily be imagined how difficult it is to unite people and rule them with equal laws and regulations.

National Unity means unity and accord among the people. Ghana is a sovereign, secular, socialistic democratic Republic. It is a vast country with a vast population. It is a country in which people speak different languages and profess different religions. The Traditionalists, Muslims, Christians and Atheists live here together. The people of the more than seventy ethnic groups of Ghana live together. Unity brings peace and development. If we have a good relationship amongst ourselves our enemies can’t take advantage of us. It always drives peace. If there is peace then development works can run smoothly throughout the country.

We can give several examples of the power of unity. Power lies in unity, not in diversity. A drop of water is not strong enough to wash anything away but an ocean can wash away entire villages. A single broomstick is so weak even a child could break it but when a lot of broomsticks are tied together, not even a full grown man can break them, so what made a feeble broomstick so strong? These basic ideas are proof that unity is strength and power.

The unity of the nation has grown over the years. Before The Gold coast became the nation Ghana, European imperialism which halted indigenous empire-building did not last that long, nor was it overwhelming enough to succeed in annihilating and replacing indigenous cultures that existed in the then "Gold Coast" before the advent of European influence. Accordingly, Ghana continued to have within her diverse ethnic groups with strong bounds, cultures, sentiments and developments. Albeit it has taken some years for the people of other ethnics to live together in peace and harmony a lot of ground has to be covered and social instabilities in the Northern belt are proof to that. An upwards growth in National unity is quite relevant to the development of Ghana; Politically, Economically and Socially. True, there was a time where a supposed “UNIGOV” was to improve this, but it failed. Paulo Coelho once said “Culture makes people understand each other better. And if they understand each other better in their soul, it is easier to overcome the economic and political barriers. But first they have to understand that their neighbor is, in the end just like them, with the same problems, the same questions.”

Nonetheless I believe political, economic and social development work simultaneously.

Political development will be at a standstill in the absence of national unity. There would not be respect for the population and their rights, respect for the government and their systems nor will there be a coherent strategy for the nation. In Ghana, political development has come only thus far because national unity has not been achieved at its best. If it had been there would be a lucid plan like that of the Arabs in the U.A.E a strategic plan that has seen the region grow in so many ways. Its funny how we were united politically fighting for independence, and became less united after. The people of Ghana are first hand 'involvers' of the power of national unity and its significance to political development. That unity is what makes political institutions take the people into consideration when creating policies. It makes them aware that the population is the holder of sovereignty in every state, and that their views are important.

Economic development, is more often than not the first child of political development.

From a policy perspective, economic development is the efforts that seek to improve the economic well-being and quality of life for a community by creating and or retaining jobs whiles supporting or growing incomes and the tax base. When united nationally and are politically developed and independent, the ease with which there is business retention and start-up growth is amazing! That love of watching the economy grow through selflessness for each economy-contributing trade is only possible when diversity does not mean a thing but harmony-in-differences. Take the world into context; The world would have come to a drastic standstill or probably collapsed if there was not any form on world trade, a result of unity amongst diversity. The fisherman from Jamestown would sell his fish to the Ashanti woman who owns that chop bar to make fufu for that man from Keta who craves fufu on the daily, that money is used to buy Shea butter from the hard working woman in the north. This is one of many money cycles which is not barred by where a person is from but is pushed by who we all identify ourselves as.

It would be questioned to say development in these two areas means a decline in social development although it may be true. It normally refers to growth in some indicators such as literacy rates, life expectancy rates and poverty rates. It takes into account important aspects such as leisure time, environmental quality, freedom, and social justice. When there is unity individuals treat others more fairly in their daily lives. Social cohesion is enhanced when national unity is created and sustained. You would see that social accountability will exist to the extent that citizens’ voices are expressed and heard by the authorities. Socially, Ghana has not fully developed. When instant justice is still being handed out to criminals; petty thieves, rapists and pickpockets, when problems solvable by rationality are still being solved through conflicts or when basic human rational of the citizenry is flawed.

National unity is a great notion that will bring with it even greater achievements. Ghana in my opinion is past the half way mark towards total national unity. She isn’t quite there yet but with the help of formal and informal education, social institutions, democracy, economic stability and general all round love and understanding in diversity she will get there. Till then all She has is God blessing her land and freedom and justice filling that void.

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"To Get Lost is to Learn The Way"

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