By Ashiadey Dotse
For a country to function effectively and remain free from corruption and mismanagement, the leadership must establish robust structures to foster development.
In Ghana, elections are a pivotal moment for citizens to evaluate governance and make decisions about the future.
Ahead of elections, political actors often identify the shortcomings of the incumbent government and propose solutions to address the challenges faced by Ghanaians.
One such political figure, Independent Presidential Candidate Kofi Koranteng, has gained attention for his blunt assessment of the state of the nation.
After touring all 16 regions of Ghana, Mr. Koranteng described the condition of Ghanaians as “BORLA,” likening the country to trash due to the widespread issues plaguing its citizens.
Speaking during GBC’s Presidential Encounter on November 18, 2024, he highlighted the struggles of Ghanaians, including inadequate access to basic needs such as healthcare, education, housing, and agriculture.
Mr. Koranteng painted a dire picture of the nation’s challenges: many citizens are homeless, seeking shelter in shop corridors, which exposes them to health risks. He also expressed concern over the pollution of water bodies caused by illegal mining activities, which introduce harmful heavy metals like mercury and cyanide into the water supply.
According to him, the government’s failure to establish functional systems has allowed corruption to thrive unchecked, with perpetrators going unpunished.
To tackle these issues, Mr. Koranteng vowed to “clean up the mess” created by previous governments, declaring himself the official “Borlaman” (trash collector) of Ghana.
In his vision for reform, he criticized the current government for its inability to combat corruption effectively and address environmental degradation. He also questioned the functionality of Ghana’s 275 parliamentarians, claiming they fail to make meaningful contributions or decisions. To reduce government inefficiency and cut costs, he proposed slashing the number of parliamentarians from 275 to 10.
Mr. Koranteng laid out a bold five-point agenda to transform Ghana if elected president in 2024:
Constitutional Reform: Revise the constitution to establish a more effective governance structure.
Eradicate Corruption: Implement systems that ensure transparency and hold perpetrators accountable.
National Development Plan: Create a 50-year development plan to guide the nation’s progress.
Streamlined Government: Reduce government size by 73%, making it efficient and functional.
Agricultural Investment: Allocate $10 billion annually for ten years into a drone-controlled mechanized farming system to position Ghana as a global agricultural hub.
He believes these measures will create a foundation for sustainable development, improve the economy, and make life easier for Ghanaians. By branding himself as the “Borlaman,” Mr. Koranteng emphasizes his commitment to cleaning up the systemic failures that have held the country back and offering a fresh start for Ghana’s citizens.
