How often have we measured progress by numbers alone, GDP growth, inflation rates, or other economic indicators, while overlooking whether our citizens truly thrive? Strategic adviser and director, Yaw Nsarkoh, argues that the answer lies not in statistics, but in education, the most powerful force capable of transforming lives and society.
Speaking on Springboard, Your Virtual University, during the closing of the 17th-anniversary Thinkathon series themed “The Power of Ideas,” Nsarkoh emphasized that knowledge is the cornerstone of societal liberation. “Educate, educate, educate. Knowledge is the primary productive force. Embrace it. If we get it, we will liberate our society,” he said.
For Nsarkoh, education is not just about formal schools; it is about creating opportunities, cultivating critical thinking, and fostering a culture where individuals can imagine and shape their future.
He posed a series of probing questions that challenge Ghana’s current state: “Are there more schools? Do people have good food to eat? Have we created a cultural environment where people can think? Our society is drowning in uncollected garbage. Is this a society in which you can imagine the future?”
He also warned that Ghana risks becoming a “Santa Claus democracy,” where citizens, particularly the poor, are treated as tokens, and votes are effectively bought during elections. “Today in your village, somebody born into a mud house, can they become Rev. Albert Ocran in one lifetime? If they cannot, then what we are saying is that we have built a Santa Claus democracy in which the poor remain poor. Their children will keep giving birth to the poor,” he cautioned.
Quoting Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka, he underscored the danger of over-monetized politics: “Africa’s variant of democracy has become a public auction for the highest bidder.” Nsarkoh stressed that true development is not about figures or transactions but about opportunities, dignity, and an environment that allows citizens to think, grow, and participate meaningfully in society.
In a push for personal growth, Nsarkoh recommended that citizens read widely to expand their understanding of the world, citing Material World by Ed Conway as a book that provides deep insight into economics, resources, and global systems.
For him, education is the path to liberation, breaking cycles of poverty and empowering individuals to rise regardless of their circumstances. By investing in schools, fostering a culture of learning, and promoting critical thinking, Ghana can create a future where every citizen has the chance to thrive.
The Thinkathon series, which brought together thought leaders from diverse fields, provided a platform to explore how ideas can shape society. Nsarkoh’s message was clear: education is not just a policy priority, it is the nation’s most powerful tool for transformation, opportunity, and sustainable development.
