Afro-optimism

It’s easy to be an afro-optimist in Ghana. Although the country is still bedeviled by the minor ailments of modern Africa – insipid, incompetent bureaucrats, unimaginable red tape, and systematic petty corruption – it’s an entirely livable. Things more or less work, the power stays on 90% of the time, poverty is not nearly as extensive as India/Uganda/etc., crime is not bad/dangerous, and the klepocratic class is less brazen than in, say, Kenya or Nigeria. Democratic elections work, with no sign of military or autocratic relapse.

And there are tremendous economic opportunities here. Agriculture, for example, is comparatively backwards, but the natural tropical climate has fantastic potential. Productivity can match world-class standards, transport to Europe is cheap/fast, and the growing season is upwards of 10 months for some crops (e.g., mangos). Historically Ghana has lacked startup capital (vs. Kenya/Nigeria) for local entrepreneurship but that is changing rapidly as the countries financial system develops. Commercial-scale farmers are developing in several markets, including rice.

As a fantastic example, I was recently discussing agriculture with a local Ghaniain who works for Technoserve. He was bemoaning the lack of local seedlings for fruit orchards, which currently have to be imported from Europe at great cost. I casually said to him that he should start a business here, and his response was: “Why yes, I am doing so. Here is my business card. We have just signed a contract with a Dutch company to start a joint venture here.” Amazing!

So, things are looking good for Ghana. Let’s just hope that the recent oil discoveries don’t fuck this up.