As university sends satellite to space with $500,000 government hands $11.5m to businessman
It is not for nothing that accountability is an important component of governance. Governments around the world, including the Ghana government have signed up to the Open Government Partnership, a system that ensures public accountability. But until citizens vigorously demand accountability, governments would squander with reckless abandon and for personal gains, scarce resources that could be used to enhance the lives of the majority of the people.
There are cases in point, the comparison of which flies in the face of reason and accountable government. Two incidents lay bare the stark realities of where a country like Ghana stands with regards to accountability in governance. The first incident was how sometime in 2009, the Ghana government paid an amount of about GH¢51 million to businessman Alfred Agbesi Woyome in a questionable judgement debt case. That amount is approximately $11.5 million by current exchange rates.
Despite directives by higher courts including the Supreme Court that Mr. Woyome returns the money, it has not yet been returned. But more importantly, while governments in Ghana claim there isn’t enough money to provide essential services for the people, government easily finds money to pay questionable judgement debts including that of Mr. Woyome. $11.5 million can do a lot for a good number of citizens in the health, education, water and sanitation and housing sectors. With a huge housing deficit facing the country, it is anyone’s guess how much dent $11.5 million could make in the sector.
Then a couple of weeks ago, a private university, the All Nations University based in the Eastern Regional capital Koforidua launched a satellite into orbit with a meager $500,000!
“The satellite will be used to monitor Ghana’s coastline for mapping purposes, and to build capacity in space science and technology,” the BBC reported.
Space technology can be used for sustainable development in communication, food security, and disaster management among others.
Considering the cost of food insecurity and disaster to developing countries, it should make much sense to invest in space technology with its usefulness to enhancing the lives of citizens and boosting economic growth, in addition to projecting positively the image of the country.
But until citizens stand up to be counted in holding governments to account and demanding the responsible use of state funds for the benefit of all, governments are likely to continue to engage in offending behaviour like paying monies for doubtful judgement debts like the one paid to Woyome and others, instead of investing in meaningful projects like the one attained by the private university.
A Ghana Business News Editorial