Economic policies must meet the needs of the citizenry, Professor Akua Kuenyehia, former Judge of the International Court of Justice, The Hague, has said.
She said government policies should transform the lives of people in terms of improved health care, better education and best living conditions.
Prof. Kuenyehia said this at a maiden annual lecture organised by the Rotary Club of Accra-West in collaboration with the Institute for Democratic Governance on the theme ‘The Quest for Peace in Ghana and Africa.’
She said if African governments do not adhere to their mandate of providing essential services for the people it might trigger serious disorder, saying: “Respect for each other is one of the recipes for sustained peace and tranquility,” and urged all to maintain decorum in their utterances.
Even though Ghana is touted as a haven of peace, it is incumbent on all and sundry to maintain these tenets for continued international recognition, Prof Kuenyehia said; explaining that peace is seen as a transformational approach to sustainable development.
Prof. Kuenyehia said peace promotes investment and that effective governance is measured by the quality of its public services and the ability to deliver on its promises.
She said government agencies must discard the notion that “it is government work”, and work assiduously to complement government efforts in providing better services to Ghanaians.
One critical tool to ensure sustainable peace in Africa is for governments to ensure equitable distribution of resources to society, the former Judge said; explaining that a situation where five percent of the population controls 90 percent of the country’s resources usually results in conflicts and wars.
Prof. Kuenyehia said Africa’s underdevelopment is associated with bribery and corruption, and has become part and parcel of society — where it is difficult for people to offer services without demanding bribes.
As Ghana prepares for its presidential and parliamentary elections, it behoves all to be circumspect and ensure that every activity is geared toward peace, she said.
“There cannot be peace when Africa governments fail to ensure free flow of information to the people they govern. Information is treated as if it is the property of the few; there is a need for transparency to achieve effective, sustainable peace,” she said
.“You need the help of both men and women to negotiate and sustain peace,” he said, stressing that the country is now touted as a peaceful nation, “but for how long.”
Mr. Amos Amankwah, President-Rotary club of Accra-West, said the lecture was aimed at sustaining the desire for peace — the cornerstone of development.
He said the first Rotary club formed in Ghana in 1958 was the Rotary club of Accra, and that Rotary unites leaders from all continents, cultures and occupation to exchange ideas and take action in communities around the world.
There are 35 Rotary clubs in Ghana, with clubs in Togo, Benin, and Niger: together, they form the Rotary District 9102.
The Rotary Club of Accra West was chartered on February 5, 1969 and there is no doubt as to the immense benefits the needy in communities have derived from the numerous humanitarian Rotary projects undertaken by the 35 clubs in Ghana, Mr. Amankwah said.
“As a humanitarian organisation that provides services for others, rotary promotes integrity in all interfaces of both business and private life; and advances world understanding, goodwill and peace through the fellowship of business, professional and community leaders,” he said.
He expressed hope that the lecture will become a reference point on the Ghanaian calendar to always remind us of our critical role in safeguarding the nation.
“It took the initiative of Rotary International to launch the campaign to eradicate polio worldwide in 1985, and the fact that the entire world is very close to eradicating the disease completely is a credit to the partnership of governments, donors and volunteers.”