 |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
Open Economies - New potential presidential contender in Ghana [Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index] New potential presidential contender in Ghana
Interesting news out of Ghana--a new and quite credible presidential candidate seems to be emerging to challenge current president Kufuor. The potential candidate is Kwesi Botchwey, former finance minister of Ghana (1982-1995) who more recently lead the programs on African economic development at Harvard's Center for International Development. Ghana continues a transition to a functioning democracy. The current president was elected almost two years ago, and was celebrated as the first truly democratically elected president in many years. Ghanaians felt relief to be free to organize politically, to build businesses, and to participate more broadly in government. On the other hand, deeper reforms, particularly in the process of governing, have been slow to come. Major government decisions are often made in closed sessions, without documentation--and important decisions are often implemented without ever being formally announced or published. Major state contracts for petroleum, telecommunications, and other services are being renegotiated without the sort of due process that would encourage investors. Digital entrepreneurs in Ghana are particularly frustrated with the communications ministry. A major issue has been lack of transparency about telecommunications issues--including foot-dragging about helping the digital community get access to overseas bandwidth via the new undersea fiber connection, which in turn is necessary for "digital trade" such as software development, data processing, and tech and customer support call centers. Without taking a position on the merits of the new candidate, it is possible that the existence of a credible contender may stimulate the current government to become more open and transparent, and more supportive of its entrepreneurial community. <<www.ghanaonline.com.htm>> Attachment:
www.ghanaonline.com.htm
|
