Prof Frimpong-Boateng Calls for Self-Reliant Ghana, Says Development Is More Than Infrastructure
Former Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Professor Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, has called on Ghanaian leaders to focus on building a self-reliant nation instead of measuring development only by roads, schools and hospitals.
Speaking at the 14th Commemorative Anniversary Lecture in honour of the late President John Evans Atta Mills at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), Prof. Frimpong-Boateng said infrastructure is important but does not by itself represent true development.
According to him, the real test of leadership is whether citizens are able to provide for themselves and contribute to national growth.
“These are not unimportant, but they are not by themselves development. The true measure of leadership is the extent to which people can be mobilised to lead independent lives, feed, shelter, clothe, defend and heal themselves with their own means,” he said.
He stressed that Ghana should be able to produce its own tools, equipment and spare parts to support daily life and industrial growth.
Prof. Frimpong-Boateng explained that such a system would help the country survive even if global supply chains were disrupted.
“So that if for one reason or the other, ships and aircraft cannot access our country, we can still survive,” he stated.
He said achieving that goal would require long-term planning and commitment from successive governments.
The former minister linked the idea to the late President John Evans Atta Mills’ Better Ghana Agenda, saying many people misunderstood the vision behind it.
According to him, he understood what President Mills wanted to achieve because of conversations they had before Mills became president.
Prof. Frimpong-Boateng also praised the late president’s leadership, describing his legacy as one built on peace, humility, integrity, transparency and respect for the rule of law.
He said although President Mills served for only three and a half years, he made a lasting impact on the country.
“What would have been the condition of Ghana today if President Mills had had the strength to complete his first term and most probably also served a second term?” he asked.
He described the late president as a leader whose mission was accomplished despite his short time in office.
