Being there

What is the value of being there? Before I came to Ghana, I knew for myself and for the field of development economics that the value of actually living and working in a developing country is absolutely necessary to the subsequent policymaking aspect of any career in international development. Without actually having been to the developing world, I don't think it would be possible to make sound policy decisions. I believed that before I arrived in Ghana and I now believe it even more so.

Thus far, I have learned so much just through my 7 weeks here that I never realized before. Some of those facts include: cultural differences and relevant development policies, the definition of development for certain countries, the goals of the population sometimes don't reflect the will of the developers, the importance of self-esteem and the idea that things can be better, the systemic barriers to change...etc. I really did not understand the extent of these issues until I'd arrived.

Now I realize that as a policymaker, one cannot witness all situations and be privvy to all necessary knowledge first hand. But what I have learned tells me a few things:
One: Spend at least some time in the area you make policies for because you learn very much about a place just by being there a little while
Two: Try to read more firsthand accounts of the area you make policies for as this will inform your decisions along with the theories you learn as well
Three: Don't assume all situations in an area are the same. Always make sure of the uniqueness of culture and the norms and values the population holds because each ethnic and regional group is different.

A recent article by CNN encapsulates some of these ideas as soldiers express the need for politicians to experience the situation firsthand to better inform policy decisions:

http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/meast/09/10/iraq.soldiers/index.html

Nationality and nationhood

The importance of nationality and nationhood for development is an aspect I really hadn't visited. But, here in Ghana this is certainly an issue. As the country became independent in 1957 it has had 50 years to develop a Ghanaian identity among dozens of ethnic groups including Ga, Ewe, Asanti and others.

Recently, the "Ghana at 50" campaign of the state of Ghana has attempted to bring Ghanaians together under one banner and instill the Ghanaian identity to unite the people groups here. Many Ghanaians would claim they are first loyal to tribe, then Ghana; but, things are changing and many Ghanaians are now "proud to be Ghanaian."

But, the issue is complex because Ghanaians are searching for that meaning among 50 years of being involved in Western development projects and culture. So, they are inventing themselves it seems and Bob Marley is certainly a part of the development committee (along with Akon, Jay-Z, and other US rap stars among the younger generation).

How important is national identity to development? Very important as I am finding common communication and common goals need to prevail for successful development. So, we shall see as time progresses what shape Ghana will take.