Ghana Proves Its Readiness to Claim the Mantle - Economic Gateway to Africa

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The torch has been passed to a new generation of leadership in the West African nation of Ghana and all signs point to a very bright future for this nation. At a time when so much attention has been, understandably, focused on the historic transition taking place in the United States, we would do well to take a moment to herald the small country that has a very big story to tell - and the potential to lead an African renaissance in the coming years.

Just 50 years from its independence in 1958, Ghana has proven to be the "wise elder" of Africa in its fierce commitment to democracy, liberty and economic opportunity.

"Landing the Fishing Boat, Cape Coast, Ghana"
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While the day and Ghana's near-term future are in the hands of Professor John Evans Atta Mills, it should be said that defeated candidate Nana Akufo Addo deserves the praise and thanks of Ghana and the world for his leadership and example in defeat. History will remember that while other nations in Africa took the dark road in this historic year, Nana Akufo Addo, in yielding peacefully to the will of the people, has played a role no less important to the future of the country than that of the winner, Prof Mills. Future generations of Ghanaians will praise his name for this act alone.

And now Ghana has proven itself ready to lead Africa on all of the major fronts in the never ending struggle for the welfare of humanity: as a bulwark against terrorism on the continent; as an economic powerhouse with the legal infrastructure to truly open Africa to world trade and to secure the economic future of its own citizens; as a shining example of the power of ballots over bullets.

And the Winner is . . . Ghana!

While none of the eight candidates for President of Ghana won a majority of the votes in Sunday's election, the results have already yielded one big winner - Ghana itself.

Unlike other recent elections on the African continent, marred by violence, the Ghanain election has been lauded by international observers as free, fair and transparent.

This is Ghana's fifth election since becoming a multi-party democracy in 1992 and a clear sign to investors and observers that Ghana is indeed positioned to become the economic gateway to West Africa and perhaps the continent as a whole by virtue of its political stability and growing legal and business infrastructure.

A runoff between the top two contenders for the Presidency has been scheduled for December 28. The contenders, Nana Akufo-Addo of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and John Atta Mills of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), each finished with over 45% of the vote ( Akufo-Addo had 49.13 percent and Mills 47.92) and Ghanain law requires a majority.

American businesses would do well to recognize the necessity to look to Ghana as a base for operations that will provide entree into the largest english speaking market outside of North America.

Cape Coast Where History and Possibility Come Together

Cape Coast, Ghana, is among the most historic cities of Africa. The region has been variously known as the Gold Coast and the Slave Coast because it was one of the principle departure points for the "Middle Passage" of the slave trade.

Today it boasts some of the finest secondary schools in Ghana as well as the renowned Cape Coast University. One of Ghana's most distinguished citizens, Kofi Annan, the seventh Secretary General of the United Nations, attended the Mfantsipim school here before receiving Ford Foundation grants allowing him to attend University abroad.

Cape Coast has built a strong "African Roots" tourist trade around the notorious historical sites of the slave trade, most notably Cape Castle (above right). The tenor of the tourism business is a respectful mix of commerce and education and the tours of Cape Castle - especially if you are fortunate enough to get one of the better guides - are an emotional roller coaster that you will never forget.

Another major commercial enterprise of Cape Coast is its fishing fleet, whose colorful boats not only serve to sustain many in Cape Coast but make for some of the most interesting photograpy in all of Ghana. The largest component of Cape Coast's fishing fleet can be found in the area adjacent to the Cape Castle but many smaller enclaves of boats are found scattered along the coast in both directions.

The Cape Coast fishing fleet after returning

to land during a storm that swept the coast

in 2007. Photo by Wayne D. King

See and purchase more images from Cape Coast at African Photo Journey

Welcome

Welcome to Opportunity Africa. This Blog is dedicated to the economic and social promise of Africa - and especially West Africa, the economic gateway to Africa.

This site - its ideas, ideals and sentiments are dedicated to the memory of our dear friend Chidi Nwachukwu who coined the phrase adopted as the title of this blog before his passing in 2004. Had Chidi lived he would have rejoiced today that we stand at a moment in in history when America may be on the verge of electing an extraordinary man - a child of both Africa and America, President of the United States. An act, if our hopes are fulfilled, that will have dramatic implications for Africa and the world as well.

Chidi, your dream lives.