GHANA: BEYOND THE MODEL NATION IMAGE

Abstract

The IMF and the World Bank have called Ghana a "model nation" regarding the political and economic developments in the country since the late 1980s. At the center-piece of these developments are economic liberalization, institutionalization of multi-party democracy and an improved relationship between Ghana and western donors. Even though these changes have brought some benefits to Ghanaians, this paper utilizes published statistics and evidence to argue that Ghana's model nation image exaggerates Ghana's success and hence untenable. First, it overlooks both the perennial social and economic challenges facing average Ghanaians decades after reforms were instituted. Second, Ghana's on-going development is largely dependent on the inflow of development assistance. If the inflow of Western assistance was to cease, it will be the end of the on-going political and economic reforms in Ghana. The paper asks; why do the IMF and World Bank touts Ghana as a model nation? Also, for whom is Ghana supposed to be a model? The paper speculates that Ghana's model nation image perception is perhaps part of a hidden agenda by the IMF and World Bank who single out Ghana as a model in an effort to chastise other African nations.