The GaDangme Concept of Development: An integrated management approach

Like the Brits in London, so is the GaDangme people of the Greater Accra region and parts of the Eastern region (the Krobo and Shai areas).

They hold sway to the development of the country and nothing can change that fact. Let’s not be weary and/or tired of talking about them.

At best studying them and giving them their needed space to flourish will in a multiplier effect speed up the development of the Ghana.

This article will draw historical lessons from the works of Rev. S. E. B Attoh Ahumah, Prof. Irene Naa Korkoi Odotei, Dr. Nii Armah Josiah-Aryeh and Hon. J. Ayikoi Otoo but prognosis of the integrated management approach will be mine.

I will use the historical antecedents as a marble arche to analyse the position and strength of the GaDangme people to the development of Ghana.

The place of the GaDangme people seem to have dwindled or dwindling as compared to the days of yore when all other people praised the GaDangme people. In his book “The Gold Coast Nation and National Consciousness” published over 120 years ago, Rev S. E. B Attoh Ahumah a non GaDangme extolling the virtues of the GaDangme people in those days of yore puts it so succintcly “men do not expect to be admired but by their friends.

Praise is the confession and acknowledgement of excellencies, it is inspired by lovable qualities, but unstinted praise that is instinctive and spontaneous when wrung from the unwilling lips of implacable foes is praise indeed”.

It is intriguing to inquire what motivated such high praises for the GaDangme people. Rev S. E. B Attoh Ahumah pronounced “what then is the national significance of this quaternion of high-sounding appellation? Let us take them seriatim. Nkran pon: “great and mighty Accra.”

Then more than two centuries ago, Bossman wrote of the “Great Kingdom of Accra.” Those were the times when this selfsame kingdom of Accra extended from Popo to Obutu; and a great kingdom produces great men, and circulates great thoughts and god-like deeds.” What then has become of GaDangme post-independence will be analysed.

Prof. Irene Naa Korkoi Odotei encapsulated “Geater Accra was a major economical centre. A mega market was established called Abonse behind the capital and all other states brought their goods to sell to the people of Accra.

The goods were brought to the coast to trade. The coast was also a great economic resource. Apart from fishing and salt making, the people of Accra traded with the Europeans from their ships as well as in the forts built by the Europeans with permission granted by the King of Accra…the Accra coast had three forts.

The Dutch Fort Crevecoeur which was renamed Ussher Fort, James Fort belongs to the English and the Christiansburg belonging to the Danes.”

She posited that it was the Mobonaloi Akpee (Compassionate Society) who among other charitable works and its people, Labour Unions and Associations that supported Dr Kwame Nkrumah in winning the election and subsequently becoming the first President of the Republic of Ghana. The dexterity of the GaDangme people triumphed in all human fields of endeavour.

Hon. J. Ayikoi Otoo captured that “during the period of the Asante suzerainty, the Ga cunningly manoeuvred [sic] and sought the assistance of the English and other local allies including the Dangmes and decisively defeated the Asante at the Katamanso War of 7^th August 1826 and since then it can be said that the incontrovertible evidence is that for 198 years, no ethnic group in Ghana has dominated or attempted to dominated or exercise suzerainty over the Ga.

There is evidence that the Ga waged war and conquered Anglo of Ewe land and the Ga Kingdom extended to Keta. To date amongst the Ga during festivities, the Asafoiatsemei and Asafoianyemei exclaim defiantly the phrase ‘Anglo sro; Asante sro’ and during the swearing of oaths of allegiance between Ga Chiefs, the days of the two wars of Katamanso and Anglo are invoked.”

Is the might of the GaDangme people lost?

Evidentially, the historical might of the GaDangme people as enumerated by various historians in the years of yore is not same as we see and/or experience today. The flamboyancy with which Rev. S. E. B Attoh Ahumah took it “An Accra man was then respected, not by reason of his national prestige only, but by his personal ability and superior qualities also. He was able to endure hardships and privations ten times better than any one of any other province and people.

In war, travel and voyage, in times of epidemic, and in the critical moments of life, he was the special object of divine protection; he felt no paroxysms of fear in the presence of a foe, however redoubtable. No wonder that, lost in admiration, the Twis characterized the tribe as great and mighty: Accra – “sad relic of departed worth!

Immortal no more; though fallen, great.”

In response to whether or not the GaDangme people have lost their might, Dr Nii Josiah-Aryeh in his magisterial account said “A new basis of national renewal is required to take advantage of the tremendous recent expansion of scientific and engineering knowledge, and to prepare the youth for the more complex and diverse occupational structures of the present day.

How are the people under examination to arrange their affairs to take advantage of the possibilities of the twenty-first century and beyond? I am sure this would be a matter which would have warmed the heart of King Tackie Tawiah himself greatly if he were to observe from the nether world below his subjects and well-wishers gather together and engage in discussions for the improvement of the Gá-Dangme people.

Even the most cursory trawl through the past of the GaDangme and kindred people suggests a need for a systematic approach to their future development.

The inexorable consequences of industrialisation, urbanisation and total participation, perforce, in the modern world include a direct challenge on the culture of indigenous peoples and the imperative for such peoples to adjust their social organisation to take advantage of modernity.

The apparent reluctance of the GaDangme, hitherto, to face up to the implications of their urban condition is arguably the major failure of the traditional system. However, the problems involved are not insoluble.

Focusing on a number of strategic areas might stem the current dereliction of the ancestral settlements. Education, housing, traditional banking, commerce, institutional reform, and urban co-operatives constitute a core of areas which if reformed, might provide a motor for the true economic empowerment of the urbanised.

Education is by far the most critical area for development. To create an urban environment and economy comparable to any in the world requires extensive secondary educational facilities. Arguably past State provision for secondary education in the greater Accra region has been less.’’

Integrated management approach to grappling with modernity

An integrated management system approach to restoring the might of the GaDangme people will require a great deal of commerce to rakes in the needed financial muscle for development. If governments refuse to do it, there is there need for the GaDangme Council (GDC) to rally its best human resources to champion this course.

Management is the act of getting things done either by yourself or through others or both. The best approach is by working with people to achieving effective management.

The principles laid down must be followed to achieving result. No time and space for happenstance. Every activity must be purposeful to achieving desired result.

In using integrated management approach to finding solution, I will adapt and contextualise these necessary steps among others must be followed;

1. Quality management system

Quality Management System requires team work. The principle dictates that all departments work in sync to ensure zero defect. This means that GaDangme groups working for the restoration of the might of the GaDangme people must come together for unity of purpose.

Distinctively, politics has been used by successive governments to divide the people while the political actors loot the people. As the people unite in purpose to restore their heritage, they must encourage their people to join politics actively but unite for a common purpose under the canopy of the GaDangme. This is to ensure that their output is firmly united.

2. Environmental management system

The environment is key to any management approach. Managing the environment effectively includes knowing the needs of the people and meeting those needs. A proper study of the environment is required so as to proffer best solution.

3. Energy management system

Without energy the people will not have the required strength for performance. The energy of the people must be worked on. They need higher energy to perform at ultimate.

These may come in the form of motivation, capacity building, assigning the right task to the right people, identifying talents and developing them, etc. Their energy must be channelled to the right tasks for expected result.

4. Food safety management system

Food safety is required for energy. They need food to energise them to work. Food as a basic need for life must not be prevented from the people. Urban poverty is severe and must not be taken for granted. Activities that channel their energies into food productivity must be encouraged and pursued.

5. Information security management system

Information Security is very important for knowing the people so as to administer the right solutions. Information gathered must be very well protected to protect the privacy and identity of the people. Confidentiality where necessary must be strictly adhered to.

6. Compliance management system

Always comply with laid down management systems.

In conclusion, we ought to be human and compassionate enough to extend a helping hand to the less fortunate; and we should be sufficiently culturally-aware to respond to the task in hand. These call for qualities of civility and generosity which are not lacking in our community. GaDangme political office holders must urge their governments to rise to the call of the GaDangme people and be magnanimous in not just taking their lands but also giving them their rightful place at the table.

Twa ni omanye abla wo, Hiao!

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