One thing I liked about London was the theatre until it was taken over by musicals without much content. I like fun and though I expected it in the theatre I enjoyed the play which made me think a little. That was why I would not miss any of the plays of George Bernard Shaw. It was he who suggested in "Candida" that "it is easy to shake a man's faith in himself." When I survey events in Ghana today, I cannot help the feeling that Shaw was right. Many of our leaders have over the years simply by word and action shaken the faith of the Ghanaian in himself or herself. They do not seem to trust or believe in the Ghanaian. They would rather listen to the outsider. We confuse ourselves with outmoded shibboleths. The ideological conflict of yester year between socialism and capitalism has left us confused and we extol the virtues of private or state enterprise unmindful of our circumstances, character and experience. Thus we decide on private enterprise as the engine of growth and refuse to notice the defects in the engine or acknowledge the paucity of growth. Meanwhile, all around us, yesterday's developing nations are fashioning their future according to their circumstances and way of life. India is creating enormous wealth while problems arise or like poverty persist. These problems are tackled with self confidence while here in Ghana, we look around for help to mitigate the poverty which torments us. China is still a Communist country but she has adopted some capitalist methods to usher in unprecedented growth and wealth. The path may appear free enterprise but the character is Chinese. Even those who in effect advise us to equate democracy to market freedom intervene when the market turns sour and threatens the national well-being. Recently, major financial institutions were saved from collapse by government interventions in the United States and Britain. In fact, no responsible government abstains from interfering in the workings of the free market when such intervention is perceived to be in the national interest. The argument in developed countries is about when, the nature, and the extent. Intervention requires self-confidence. It requires faith in one's self, which Ghana appears to lack. In Ghana, our corruption, wrong decisions, and past misdeeds are paraded before us to frighten off confidence in ourselves. Thus when in the communications age Ghana Telecom is found wanting, we plead with a fellow developing country to come to our aid. When things do not go as well as expected, we go to big brother country itself and through the euphemism of negotiations beg for that financial expertise and competence which we have been made to believe we do not possess. But are we that bereft of know-how and imagination? Some 45 years ago, I was the guest of our own great A.L. Adu, who was then Secretary-General or head of the common services of East Africa (Kenya; Uganda and Tanzania). I had to deliver special messages to the Heads of State of all three countries and report to President Nkrumah within a week. And so after the customary welcome by host A.L. Adu and his wife, I asked that a call be booked while I was in the bath so that when I came out, I could speak to the head of the Ghana Mission in Dar-es-salam to book appointments. "Oh, you better wait, "said my host, "I will dial the number and you can speak to Dar-es-salam now". I was surprised. In Accra at that time, you booked a call to Nsawam and you had to wait for ages to be connected. There was no dialing system. "How come the Kenyans are so much ahead of us", I asked Adu?" "They are not" he replied, we have more qualified Engineers and Technicians in the "Post and Telegraph" department in Ghana than they have in the whole of the federation. “It is a matter of planning and discipline”. The Chief Telecommunication Engineer in Nairobi had laid down procedures including maintenance schedules which should be followed. He and his deputy went round to see that the procedures and schedules were followed. Sanctions against defaulters were swift and severe. Our telecommunication system did not work well then even though we had competent men and good procedures. Equipment was a major draw back but discipline was not bad. Today, we ignore competence, dedication and discipline and when things do not work we doubt our own capability. "Ask the Malaysians. Bring in the Vodaphone people. The name suggests voodoo connections, They sure have the answer". But no answer can come from outside. It is not wise to ignore how others solve similar problems in the global village. But problems can only be resolved where they are created. Leaders must show the way or encourage solutions and not obstruct them. Officials and other functionaries must do their duty. Civil servants should work within established rules to implement government policy. They cannot promote a policy which is not there. No esoteric performance contracts signed with green chief directors will deliver that which neither party is clear about. The civil service structure left by the British suits the Ghanaian character. We have to appreciate the administrative structures and decision making process at Manhyia Palace to realise this. We should regain our confidence and throw our problems into the system we have established for solution. We have the men and women to deal with our problems. We do not employ the best for the task because of narrow political and ethnic considerations and greed. The economy is the major problem facing the country today. The economic indications may show progress but the reality on the ground is that a few are very well off while the great majority find it difficult to make ends meet. It is clear that more enterprises should be created to grow the economy and create jobs. This requires investments. But we should know where we want the investments and make direct quiet approaches if necessary. General pleas are the stock in trade of the poor in understanding. Investors are not wooed like babies. They invest to make money. Ghana is not an attractive destination for investments and government intervention (not inspired by corruption) for foreign investments in key areas is necessary. Investments by Ghanaians should not be ignored. Indeed, measures may be designed to induce such indigenous investments. We should have confidence in ourselves and propel the country forward by our own efforts. Selling existing assets to foreigners with the expectations that they will inject more capital and grow the business is the pipe dream of those with faith in others. Money is the aim of the game and companies gobble up others to make more money. Sometimes when they acquire other companies, they strip or sell parts which may make money immediately. They may also restructure to produce more money and not to provide jobs or grow the economy in the national interest. Sometimes assets are sold by countries to provide money to deal with an unexpected situation. Right now the price of oil is high. I am not sure how we are paying for it. If we are selling majority shares in a government or national company to pay for oil we may ask what would happen if the amount obtained is not sufficient and the price keeps on rising. I suppose we would then go round with the begging bowl or pawn the oil we are yet to pump. We want industries. We want enhanced agriculture. We want services. We want jobs. Let us restore our self confidence and create these and stop looking for manna and magical solutions from outside. What do those who want our votes say? Bernard Shaw says the devil takes advantage of a shaken faith to break a man's spirit, Can our politicians who seek our votes stop the devil and show the way to national pride, faith, and probity? Let us vote for those who would. Credit: Daily Graphic/K.B. Asante