University Don urges consolidation of socio-political gains

Professor Emmanuel Asante, Head of the Department of Religious Studies at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) has called for the sustenance of the socio-economic and political progress made by the country over the last decade. He mentioned in particular the country's strides in good governance, improvement in human rights abuses, economic renaissance and political stability, saying efforts should be made to build upon them. "This will to stay on course must unleash in us a high sense of commitment to protect, prolong and develop our gains of good governance, political stability, responsible use of freedom and the promotion of human rights to ensure sustainable peace," Prof Asante said. He was delivering a lecture on "Ghana in the next 50 Years" as part of the Pearson-Osae Appreciation Lectures, organized by Prempeh College Old Boys Association in Kumasi at the weekend. The general theme of the lectures, instituted to honour living tutors of the College, was: "Ghana As I see it in the Next 50 Years". Touching on corruption and poverty, Prof Asante said poverty alleviation would be effective only if the system could be sensitised sufficiently for the influences of corruption and the concentration of power to be substantially diminished. Mr Kwame Pianim, an Economic Consultant, held that Ghanaians have a lot for which to be grateful and a lot to celebrate on the country's attainment of 50 years of Independence. "Of course," he said, "there have been missed opportunities and we have been through the agonies of national political consolidation and unnecessary self inflicted wounds both physically and psychic. But mercifully, we did not resort to cutting limbs and separatist fratricidal wars". He said Ghanaians should be grateful for the fact that the nation has emerged from this sordid past with nation building and political consolidation intact. Mr Pianim, who is the chairman of the Public Utility Regulatory Commission, said the time for political emancipation needed to shift to a new and exciting era of economic emancipation and the liberation of entrepreneurial talents of people through their participation in the nation-building process.