Effective security (defence) mechanisms and control over the world market. The afore-mentioned give developed countries the upper hand. This sustained trend can be traced to the stability of their currency and efficient tax systems. Britain is a perfect example with such exciting features. Ghana is simply just struggling to make it happen. Cameron-Clegg coalition was 100 days old last Wednesday and already, interesting fillas are coming from their territories.

Britain was the former colonial master of Ghana. Yes, I know that we all know about that but a ‘matter of fact’ made me say it. It seems that a certain amount of similarities exist between Britain and Ghana.

Mills’ government, within 100 days, resorted to strict austerity in a bid to shield the country from the global economic meltdown and tackle internal economic problems as well. This culture was moreover manifested in ministerial appointments. Now, how is Britain handling its share of the crisis? The coalition government have recognised the importance of austerity and this is backed by 56% of the population. They’ve planned to embark on sprinting cuts in some government organs and allow further tax increases.

Furthermore, it appears public confidence in the Mills’ government is steadily waning and in Britain, already 31% of the population have lost confidence in the coalition government, with 57% describing it as ‘disappointing’, a survey conducted by Harris, a political correspondent who interviewed a sample of 1,057 adults online across the UK between August 12-13 reveals.

Additionally, unemployment in Ghana is a war we’ve yet not won. It is even said that thousands of the youth enter the job market with no employable skills. Similarly, in Britain, the unemployment rate has reached 2.5 million and still rising.

Britain’s national debt is at 950 billion Pounds and it is even predicted to reach 1.1 trillion Pounds in 2011. In 1976, with a budget deficit of 6%, Britain went into bankruptcy and ran to the IMF with a huge bowl to borrow. Against this background, successive governments have been very careful with economic (monetary) policies. Similarly, Ghana, somewhere in the new millennium declared itself ‘HIPC’. It is time we stop parading for alms and resort to local alternatives.

I’m not particularly au fait (familiar) with the cost of defence in Ghana. Maybe I should get myself a copy of the 2010 budget. Nonetheless, I know that the government has spent huge sums on the security apparatus to ameliorate the shaky situation on Bawku. Also, a number of houses in the ever-controversial STX deal have been allocated to the police. And when you see the police beaming with smiles, it is the Single Spine Salary Structure (SSSS). But take a look at the following statistics with respect to the cost of defence in Britain;

·         Total Ministry of Defence budget – 44. 6 billion Pounds.

·         On equipment                                  -   6.1 billion Pounds.

·         On pay and pensions                       - 5. 6 billion Pounds

·         Pay of Chief of Defence staff          -  250,000 Pounds

·         Etc.

Though the expenditure is highly extravagant, it indicates the seriousness the British government attaches to defence. I’m imploring President Mills, who is the Commander-in-Chief, to see the significance of dialogue and proactivity, and continue to be sympathetic to the fragile purse of Ghana.