IN spite of the numerous challenges facing the country, we are still the toast of many nations on the African continent.
WE still show the strong values of hospitality, respect for peace, the rule of law, religious tolerance, and peaceful co-existence that are unparalleled in many parts of the world.
THAT is the reason why many Ghanaians, including President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, continue to appeal to their compatriots to not be pessimistic but have hope that there is light at the end of the tunnel.
WE cannot, however, discount the fact that many Ghanaians are currently through serious economic hardships.
FOR some time now, government spokespersons have moved away from their defensive posturing to a rather engaging encounter in which they try to explain why we face the present predicament and what the government is doing to put the economy on an even keel.
IF really where we now require all hands on deck, then the government that has the key to lead the processes of economic rejuvenation must try and accommodate all views in the hope that in the marketplace of ideas, the best options will triumph.
THE situation is not peculiar to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, but we must bear in mind that when problems occur, they are always laid on the doorstep of the person in the saddle, as we tend to forget about the past.
SOME Ghanaians have, time and again, offered prescriptions for our economic malaise.
BUT there is no way our over-reliance on imports will ease the pressure on the economy, especially the cedi. We ought to step up our productive activities to shore up the value of the cedi and address the balance of trade.
THE government itself has initiated moves to stimulate local production and consumption in a campaign to get Ghanaians to patronise made-in-Ghana goods.
THE destiny of the country is in our hands if we take the position that it is counter-productive to import every conceivable item, including toothpicks, for domestic use.
LET us resolve to harness our resources for national development and seek support only when there are no local substitutes.