Dear Nyaaba,

Agyaa Koo, a celebrated Ghanaian comedian, is credited with a song entitled ‘Black Man Black Sense”. In it he bemoans the paradox of Ghana, endowed with plenty but dying from want. My Twi is questionable at best, but I can say on authority that the song lists some of the many resources Ghana has and then goes on to describe the squalor and need that are pervasive, concluding that we black people have black minds, to wit, that we are either too wicked or too greedy or too stupid to turn our good fortune into the needed development for the general good.

Nyaaba, I heard the song about a decade ago and it refuses to leave my mind, and I am sure you know why. This morning my mind went back to the song and it got me thinking; has Ghana got just too good a deal that it is affecting us adversely? My thoughts:

Ghana is a country blessed with abundant natural resources: gold, cocoa, oil, timber, and a rich array of minerals. Yet, paradoxically, it remains a nation grappling with significant development challenges. As I reflect on this, I sometimes wonder whether Ghana’s problem is not a scarcity of resources, but rather a surfeit, an abundance that has become more of a curse than a blessing.

The resource curse, or the paradox of plenty, is a phenomenon where countries with abundant natural resources often experience less economic growth, less democracy, and worse development outcomes than those with fewer resources. Sadly, Ghana has not escaped this trap. Despite the wealth beneath our soil and the richness of our environment, the country struggles with persistent poverty, inadequate infrastructure, and a political system often clouded by corruption.

A Legacy of Gold and Oil

Ghana’s gold mining history dates back centuries, earning the nation the nickname “Gold Coast.” In the 21st century, oil became the latest in the lineup of Ghana’s prized resources. The discovery of significant offshore oil reserves in 2007 led to heightened expectations of wealth and prosperity. Yet, more than a decade later, these hopes remain unfulfilled for many Ghanaians.

Revenue from these resources has not translated into the broad-based development that was anticipated. Roads remain unpaved, schools lack basic supplies, and access to healthcare is still inadequate for large parts of the population. The resources that should be lifting millions out of poverty have instead created a small class of elites, while leaving many struggling to get by.

Resource Mismanagement and Corruption

At the heart of this paradox is mismanagement. Resources themselves do not guarantee development; it is how they are managed that makes the difference. Ghana, like many other resource-rich countries, has suffered from the misallocation of wealth. Corruption, opaque contracts, and revenue mismanagement have diverted billions that could have been invested in sustainable projects to drive growth.

The Author: Ricky Kasise Peprah

For example, the oil sector, once hailed as the new pillar of Ghana’s economy, has been mired in controversy. Questions around transparency, fair revenue distribution, and the involvement of international companies without adequate local benefits continue to plague the industry. Instead of oil being the game-changer many hoped for, it has contributed to an economy overly reliant on resource extraction, making Ghana vulnerable to fluctuations in global commodity prices.

Agriculture and Human Potential Neglected

It’s not just the management of natural resources that’s in question; it’s the neglect of other equally important sectors. Ghana is also blessed with fertile land and a vibrant farming community, yet agriculture, particularly cocoa farming, has not been adequately supported. Farmers often live in poverty despite cocoa being one of the country’s largest exports. Most recently, many such farms have been sold to gold miners who pay handsomely for them and who then go on to pillage, pollute and poison the land.  The youth, too, are often ignored, with insufficient attention paid to education, innovation, and job creation. Instead of investing heavily in developing human capital, much of the national focus remains on extracting and exporting raw materials.

A nation with such a wealth of natural resources shouldn’t have to rely on external aid or loans to finance its infrastructure or education system. Yet, that is the reality for Ghana today. The failure to translate this abundance into equitable, long-term development continues to widen the gap between the potential of the country and the actual lived experience of its citizens.

A Way Forward

So, does Ghana have a surfeit of resources? Perhaps. But more critically, it suffers from a lack of proper resource management, sustainable planning, and political will to prioritize the long-term good over short-term gains. The country doesn’t need more resources, it needs better use of what it already has.

A future where Ghana truly benefits from its resources is not beyond reach. Improved governance, transparent contracts, and sustainable development policies could unlock the true potential of our natural wealth. Strengthening institutions to combat corruption, investing in education, technology, and renewable energy, and developing the agriculture sector would provide alternative growth paths beyond resource extraction.

Ghana’s riches should be its greatest asset, not its burden. With better management and a focus on people-centered development, the nation’s wealth can finally benefit all its citizens, not just a few.

Nyaaba, in reflecting on whether Ghana has too many resources, the answer lies not in the number of resources but in how they are managed. The country does indeed have enough wealth to prosper, but it is imperative that this wealth is harnessed more equitably, transparently, and sustainably. Only then will Ghana break free from the paradox of plenty and truly live up to its potential as a resource-rich nation.

Your descendant

The Siriguboy

About Author

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *