Former Environment Minister, Prof. Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, has called for a bold national reset, warning that Ghana can no longer afford short-term political decisions if it hopes to achieve sustainable development.
Speaking while reflecting on the vision of the late Prof. John Evans Atta Mills during the 14th commemorative lecture to Prof Mills at UPSA, Prof. Frimpong-Boateng said the former President envisioned a Ghana that was steadily transforming into a prosperous nation comparable to the progress seen in parts of Asia.
He stressed that 14 years after Prof. Mills’ passing, the country must honestly assess its current state and determine what is needed to realise the “Better Ghana Agenda.”
According to him, Ghana should adopt deliberate, sustained policies that transcend political cycles, protect national resources, encourage manufacturing, and invest heavily in human capital.
Prof. Frimpong-Boateng also advocated zero tolerance for corruption, rule of law, insisting that integrity should be treated as a fundamental requirement for national development rather than a slogan.
He criticised successive governments for abandoning projects started by their predecessors, arguing that such practices have slowed the country’s progress.
Quoting a long-standing observation, he warned that whenever the Ghana cedi weakens significantly, the country often finds itself turning to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for support.
“Ghana is not simply behind; Ghana is falling behind, relative to countries we once matched,” he quoted Prof. Mills, urging leaders to embrace long-term planning over electoral considerations.
He concluded by questioning whether the next 14 years would resemble the country’s past decades or finally deliver the “Better Ghana” envisioned by the late Prof. Atta Mills.
By Maurice Otoo
