Although Ghana is marking 69 years of breaking away from colonial rule to govern itself, a financial economist at the University of Ghana Business School is urging the country to rethink what true independence should mean.
As Ghana marks its 69th Independence Day, Dr. Jabir Mohammed says Ghana’s political freedom must now evolve into genuine economic independence.
By economic independence, the economist means an independence driven by strong local production and the deliberate patronage of goods made within the country.
In his reflections on the anniversary, Dr. Mohammed argued that the true measure of independence will be realised only when Ghanaians begin to prioritise locally produced goods and services over imports.
“The day that the Ghanaian will begin to patronize all-made in Ghana goods and products, that would be the independence day in Ghana because our hope will be restored based on this prosperity made,” the economist stated.
Independence Beyond Politics
Ghana gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1957, becoming the first sub-Saharan African country to break colonial rule.
But nearly seven decades later, Dr. Mohammed believes the country, though arguably politically independent, is economically dependent without any self-sufficiency or reliance.
Dr. Jabir says Ghana must confront this economic dependency and reliance on imports and foreign-dominated retail markets.
He noted that many local markets are now heavily influenced by foreign traders, while imported products dominate shelves across the country.
“Our retail markets are captured by foreigners, our markets are flooded with Chinese products, we are unable to produce basic commodities on our own,” he noted.
Youth Still Waiting for Opportunities
The economist also reiterated the growing frustration among young people, many of whom complete school with limited job prospects. Ghana’s youthful population, he said, is eager to contribute to the country’s development but often lacks the opportunities to do so.
He therefore maintained that true independence will be to ensure that young people across the country see opportunities created for them. He bemoaned the situation that, despite efforts by government and private sector players, unemployment among graduates remains a major concern.
He also pointed to the country’s large base of artisans and skilled workers, arguing that better organisation and support for these groups could unlock significant economic potential.
“The teaming youth of Ghana want to see opportunities being created for them in every part of this country. Efforts are being made to create the opportunies, yet most young people in Ghana still complete school without jobs. Young people who are artisans are not properly organized,” he recalled.
A Call for Self-Reliance
For Dr. Mohammed, the solution lies in embracing self-reliance, an idea that echoes the vision of Ghana’s early independence movement.
He believes both leaders and citizens must renew their commitment to building local industries and creating value within the country.
That includes strengthening small businesses, supporting local manufacturers, and encouraging consumers to choose Ghanaian products whenever possible.
The financial economist suggests that if we cannot produce basic commodities ourselves, then our economic independence remains incomplete.
The Independence Yet to Come
As celebrations unfold across the country, Dr. Jabir Mohammed says the political independence was only the beginning.
The next chapter is economic independence, which will depend on the everyday choices of citizens, from what they buy to what they produce.
He believes that when Ghanaians fully embrace and patronize goods made in Ghana, that will be the day Ghana’s independence truly becomes meaningful.
Until then, he believes that the country’s 69th anniversary serves not only as a celebration of the past, but also as a reminder of the economic journey that still lies ahead.
