The streets of Ghana could be flooded with milk, honey, cocoa, gold, manganese, bauxite, oil, and diamonds, but if the government in charge is made up of incompetent idiots, there would still be no jobs for the people, the economy would collapse, the currency would be worthless, and the nation would accrue multiple debts without accountability, while in Europe, prosperous nations use their workforces to recruit new workers.
A few years ago, Charles Michel, the prime minister of Belgium, decided to leave office after serving for five years because the European Union had given him a new position. Charles Michel, one of Belgium’s most effective and successful prime ministers, was responsible for the creation of 290,000 jobs over the first five years of his administration.
“Charles Michel neemt afscheid: 290,000 nieuwe jobs en a tewerkstellingsgraad van 71%, onze grootse trots,” or “Charles Michel says goodbye: 290,000 new jobs and an employment rate of 71%, our greatest pride,” was the headline in the Belgian newspapers that caught my attention and piqued my interest in writing an article about it because Ghana’s economy and the people have suffered greatly under the current leadership.
Despite not producing any cocoa, Belgium is now among the richest in Europe, thanks to the manufacturing of chocolate. Even though there is a slight increase in commodities, the Belgian chocolate sector continues to provide the best of its economy and has employed thousands of people. In contrast to Ghana, where cocoa trees are produced, there are no jobs and the population cannot even support themselves.
Unless you are a professional or specialized in something, a job is one of the most common or easiest things to get in Belgium and around Europe. As a result, you need to locate your bachelor’s or master’s degree employment, which may take some time but you’ll acquire it. The VDAB, Belgium’s public employment service, can help you find the profession of your choice and also provides training for individuals looking to change careers. This is what I am fighting for my country, Ghana.
On January 19, 2022, I turned 65. After living in Belgium for 22 years, I felt that I had put in enough effort to qualify for retirement. My wife and two older boys all have jobs, and my youngest son, who is 15 and still in school, resides with me. But when I noticed I was gaining weight after only a few months at home, I went back to work. Ever since then, I’ve had my true physique in the shape I wanted.
I took a break this week to eat lunch while working at one of the agricultural enterprises in Antwerp. The cafeteria has a flat-screen television that broadcasts information to the thousands of employees who work there. “Breng een nieuwe collega en ontvang 1200 Euro eindejaarspremie,” or “Bring a new colleague and receive a 1200 Euro end-of-year premium or bonus is the one that caught my attention the most.
When I thought about how most Ghanaians are suffering from a lack of employment and how Joseph Osei Owusu, also known as Joe Wise, the First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, advised Ghanaians not to rely on the government for employment but rather to look for employment themselves, my demeanor immediately changed. Yet, employers in Belgium are so eager to hire additional people that they offer money to current employees who bring in new people.
When I have no friends and the few people I know all have jobs, who can I call or take to work at this company? How does this connect to the circumstances in Ghana, where I am from? A nation that produces a lot of chocolate but not cocoa plants needs to come up with an appealing plan to attract additional workers because several of its corporations want to expand. That is what is referred to as a successful nation.
In Belgium, there are only a few political parties, and they all have one goal, to raise the standard of life for everyone, even the lowest-paid workers to earn better. That’s why I view those tribal bigots in Europe and the United States of America, supporting this destructive and corrupt government as really terrible individuals. Would people stay in America and Europe if they were like Ghana?
Even though I am not a member of any political party in Belgium, let alone in Ghana, if I were to follow a Ghanaian leader, I would pick the most intelligent one to avoid embarrassment. These tribal bigots have the best living conditions, including work and access to healthcare, yet because of their tribalism or disrespect for other tribes, they advise Ghanaians to vote for this president despite his incompetence.
I have lived in Belgium for 22 years but have no friends. I value my family greatly, especially my wife, three sons and Tony Savage, my grandson. Tribalism continues to support poor governance under the NPP government among Ghanaians living in Europe and the United States of America. That is blatant hypocrisy and evil, and I am convinced that God would never pardon the Ghanaians living abroad who support this corrupt regime while living like affluent elites.
My nation is rich in natural resources, such as gold, diamonds, bauxite, and oil, which, if corrupt politicians would stop stealing from the government’s coffers, would give the underprivileged people a better future. Ghana has resources that no country in Europe possesses; hence its citizens should never be destitute. If Belgium were to cultivate cocoa, I can’t even begin to convey how truly wealthy and prosperous it would be.
I hope Ghanaians all around the nation would read the same advertisement I did, which said, “Bring in a new colleague and get a 1200 Euro End-of-Year Bonus.” Akufo Addo claims he has disproved the claims that he is too short to serve as president. What has he accomplished with his height? Choose a sensible leader who will increase employment opportunities for the nation rather than one who, after having vowed to combat corruption, will legalize it.
The best way to curb corruption in Ghana is for Akufo Addo to imprison Eugene Arhin, Charles Bissue, and Paul Adom-Otchere, so don’t vote for the NPP government if he doesn’t.
— Joel Savage
Belgian-Ghanaian journalist, Joel Savage, writes the “A Mixture Of Periodicals” column. The Flemish Journalists Association member frequently contributed to the features sections of the Weekly Spectator, Ghanaian Times, Daily Graphic, and The Mirror. He lives in Belgium.
Disclaimer: The content in this article reflects the opinion of the author and is at the sole discretion of the author.
