Let 2024 Count For Ghana 

As the year 2023 ended successfully, there is a huge anticipation of what the year 2024 is going to offer. For those who did well and those who were not satisfied with their own aspirations and achievements, more could be made to meet their heart desires. Mishaps befell some citizens, while many others had victories and successes chalked up, but by and large, all has been well for the good people of this country, since we have life. As a nation, the National Domestic Debt Exchange Programme was an invitation for the voluntary exchange of approximately GHS 137 billion of the domestic notes and bonds of the Republic, causing severe economic misfortunes and the flooding from the spillage of the Akosombo and Kpong Dams, causing over 26,000 people displaced will be indelible as one of  the worst flooding in the country’s history. Amidst these and others, the Good Lord has made it happen for Ghanaians to enjoy the year 2024. 

Governments, institutions, organisations and individuals have taken time to reflect on their performances during the just-ended year and made new plans and resolutions for the year 2024. Frankly speaking, let us ask ourselves what is new about this new year, as individuals and as a  people.  At Midnight Church Services to herald the year, preachers gave hope to congregants that 2024 perhaps, will be the best of years.

President Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo in a chat with Journalists, has also expressed optimism of a prosperous 2024. Why do we have so much hope in all ensuing years, even when we have not prepared adequately for it, forgetting that our hard work or otherwise today determines the easy or difficult life we face in the future? Some church members, right from the end of year church services, joined others at pubs and other social events or gatherings, to continue the new year’s welcoming sessions. Interestingly, at the start of every new year, everything under the sun continues to be what it is. No physical or tangible change is noticed anywhere. The sky continues to be blue, from where one stands. The roads leading to our houses were just where they were. Our homes were in the same places. Skin colours have not changed. In fact, everything is just as it is, except for those we decide to change. For example, the calendars, which obviously are man-made and then room settings and decorations. 
These and other reasons some ask, “What is new about the new year and why is it critically important. For many people, it can only be new if and only if we decide to live new lives in attitude and behaviour. Newness comes from within the one looking up for the new. From the Bible, the source of a new year, we read, “And He was also telling them a parable: “No one tears a piece of cloth from a new garment and puts it on an old garment; otherwise he will both tear the new, and the piece from the new will not match the old.” Newness is the quality of being utterly different from the present or the original past. We can not continue to live in the old ways and expect anything new, as newness comes out of new ways of life. In this new year, please “If we were not charitable or do not love, we need to learn to do that. We must begin to be joyful, peaceful and patient, if we are not. We need to begin to be kind and good to others, learn to develop a strong faith and can-do attitude, live a very modest lifestyle, and exercise much self-control if we had not previously. 

Newness comes from attitude and our hard work towards what we want to be new.  The old style and unkind attitude towards each other, towards work and towards the environment, which did not help in any way to ensure progress and development, must stop. For us to experience a new year as we wish for ourselves, we must eschew apathy, truancy and lateness to work and public events, to make the new year really new. The government must honour its promises to the populace. Members of Parliament must stop exchanging blows, and the Chiefs must stop indiscriminately and illegally selling lands belonging to the people. 

The prophets must stop delivering false prophecies and our drivers must stop careless and dangerous driving on our roads. 

Security Personnel and the Judiciary must ensure justice and security for all.  Journalists must be circumspect in their reportage and be more truthful. Indeed, we must all stop polluting the environment, as well as have respect for each other. We must exhibit infectious enthusiasm and be consciously committed to the country. As we begin work officially for the first time this year, we need new attitudes, approaches and commitment, towards all our endeavours as a people, to really and truly experience the new year.

By: Dr. Nana Sifa Twum, Media and Communications Consultant

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