The former legal advisor to former President John Agyekum Kufuor, Vickie Bright Esq. has called Ghanaians out as people who love to celebrate mediocrity over success.
Vickie Bright identified in Ghanaian society the tendency to celebrate mediocrity and downplay success. She believes that Ghanaians are often hesitant to acknowledge or celebrate achievements, which stifles ambition and growth.
“I have a friend who was telling me not too long ago that he had a great year. But when people ask him how he’s doing, he says ‘kakra, kakra’ (little by little), because he’s afraid to let people know that he’s successful.”
“We need to celebrate success more. We should be more like the Nigerians—maybe not as ostentatious, because that is not really the Ghanaian way. But humility doesn’t mean you can’t also celebrate success.”
Vickie Bright Esq. Former Legal Advisor to former President Kufuor
Reflecting on Ghana’s 68 years of independence, Vickie noted that while the country has made some progress, it has not done enough given its potential.
“We were a country of firsts—the first sub-Saharan African country to gain independence. But at 68, what can we point to and say, ‘at least in this area, we did it’?”
Vickie Bright Esq. Former Legal Advisor to former President Kufuor
She highlighted the fact that Ghana does not have a single “unicorn” company—a startup valued at over $1 billion—while other African nations do.
She reflected on Ghana’s position in the global economy, its technological advancements (or lack thereof), and the societal attitudes that may be hindering progress.
According to Vickie Bright, the world is currently on the brink of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, characterized by artificial intelligence (AI), advanced robotics, and quantum computing. She said;
‘’The world is at the precipice of the Fourth Industrial Revolution… We are getting to a point where one quantum computer will have the capacity of all the computers in the world. Imagine that.”
Vickie Bright Esq. Former Legal Advisor to former President Kufuor
While other countries are making significant strides, Ghana is still struggling with the basics of industrialization.
“We are still trying to cover the basics. We are not even able to make computers of our own. The best we do is assembly.”
Vickie Bright Esq. Former Legal Advisor to former President Kufuor
This, she argued, is a significant drawback in a rapidly evolving world where countries like China have already built high-speed railways reaching speeds of 1,000 kilometers per hour.
Untapped Potential in Art, Business, and Innovation
Despite the slow pace of national development, Vickie Bright acknowledged the remarkable achievements of individual Ghanaians in various sectors
“We have very celebrated Ghanaian artists. One of them actually has his work in space, taken there by Jeff Bezos. But how many Ghanaians know this?”
Vickie Bright Esq. Former Legal Advisor to former President Kufuor
Beyond the arts, Ghanaian entrepreneurs have also made impressive inroads into the global business landscape. She cited the example of a Ghanaian businessman who has become the largest African investor in food and beverage in the United States. She said;
“The niche cocoa guy, do people know that he is now the largest African investor in food and beverage in the US?”
Vickie Bright Esq. Former Legal Advisor to former President Kufuor
Additionally, she referenced Fred Swaniker, the founder of the African Leadership University (ALU), as another example of Ghanaian excellence that is not fully celebrated or leveraged for national development.
Corruption and Economic Dependence
Vickie Bright also addressed the issue of corruption, which she sees as a major impediment to Ghana’s progress.
“Corruption is like going two steps forward and four steps backward. You end up going in circles without moving forward.”
Vickie Bright Esq. Former Legal Advisor to former President Kufuor
Furthermore, Ghana remains heavily dependent on the export of raw materials while importing value-added products, a trend that Vickie Bright believes should have changed by now.
Vickie Bright concluded her reflection by referencing Chinua Achebe’s book ‘The Trouble with Nigeria,’ which she believes accurately describes Ghana’s challenges as well. The book, written in the late 1970s, details issues of poor leadership, corruption, and societal attitudes that hinder progress—issues that remain relevant in Ghana today.
In her final remarks, she called for a shift in both structural development and national mindset. Ghana, she insists, has the resources and talent to achieve greatness but must overcome its limitations and embrace innovation, celebrate success, and tackle corruption effectively.
While acknowledging the country’s potential, she challenges leaders and citizens alike to do more.
With the world advancing at an exponential rate, Ghana must position itself strategically, harnessing its talent and resources to avoid being left behind in the global economy.
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