WORLD IN TURMOIL, A FUTURE IN THE MAKING

1935: A WORLD IN TURMOIL, A FUTURE IN THE MAKING

Every developed society has experienced its own version of "1935"--a transformative period marked by challenges and imperfections. It was a time when sophistication and order were still aspirations rather than realities. Streets were littered with waste, violence was rampant, and crimes of unspeakable inhumanity plagued communities. Poverty and economic recessions were the norm, while leadership struggled to establish a clear direction. These societies grappled with aggression, agitation, and civil unrest but were also ripe with patriotism and the determination to lay the foundations for a better future. This era of hardship and resilience became the bedrock of their eventual transformation.

Development is not instantaneous; it unfolds in stages. Ghana, like many developing nations, is navigating the early

phases of this journey. Most advanced nations were once given the freedom to grow organically, to experiment, and to learn from their mistakes without the overwhelming influence of external powers. In today's interconnected world, however, developing nations face the added burden of external pressures. Established nations often impose their models of development, stifling the natural progression of societies still finding their footing.

Historically, every advanced society has undergone three distinct phases of development. The first is the phase of idealism, where the potential for growth is realized, and the seeds of progress are sown. The second phase is marked by unrest, aggression, and a fight for rights and equity--a turbulent but necessary struggle. Finally, there is the phase of

rapid development, where societies achieve significant milestones, governance matures, and national aspirations take form. This last stage marks the peak of growth, after which progress slows to a steadier pace, defined by stability and the resolution of minor issues rather than radical transformation.

Ghana, and much of Africa, is currently in the early stages of this process--the equivalent of a "1935." Comparing African nations to Western countries, which are well past their third stage of development, is misleading. The challenges faced by Africa today are not unique. In various forms, these same issues have been experienced by nations that are now considered developed. History shows that these obstacles can and will be overcome with time and persistence.

Unfortunately, the natural trajectory of African development has been disrupted by external interference--from Western imperialism to Eastern and Southern influences. This meddling has altered the course of Africa's progress, making it difficult to envision what the continent's development might have looked like in the absence of these forces. Despite these challenges, Africa's potential remains immense, and its story is far from over.

Azanya Abraham Maslow