I recently revisited George Orwell's animal farm and I couldn't help but compare the farmyard analogy to Ghana's situation.
Much like the animals on the farm, Ghanaians had been assured a utopian future, one filled with hope and unimaginable possibilities. And like a perfectly written prophecy, this future seemed possible. Rapid and innovative policies marked the start of Ghana's beginning and we looked set for an up-and-forward ride to the moon.
But while Orwell's novel was built around the Russian Revolution, it aligns perfectly with our current situation. It's as though George, when writing the novel in 1945, was predicting the future of the West African country that was yet to gain independence in 1957.
The animal farm starts with a great awakening, an epiphany, a dream - in literal and figurative terms. On the Manor Farm, Old Major, an ageing boar, gathers all the animals one night to share a peculiar vision with them. The vision? A farm where all the animals lived free from the tyranny of humans.
Animalism, as he envisioned, was supposed to be a system of animal equality. A system where all creatures big and small had an equal say in how things are run. Here, anything that walk on 4 legs, was a friend. But if it walked on 2? Bingo - enemy!
And so after Old Major's death, the animals revolt against their human owner, Mr Jones, and successfully take over the farm. They rename the farm Animal Farm and establish the Seven Commandments, encapsulating the principles of Animalism.
Stay with me we're getting somewhere.
In the early days of Animal Farm, the pigs, led by Snowball and Napoleon, emerge as the leaders of the farm. They develop the principles of Animalism further and work towards building a society where animals are equal and prosperous. But if there's anything about stories with good beginnings, it's that tragedy comes quickly.
Remember Snowball and Napoleon? Our 2 earlier heroes? Well! They both have different visions for the farm's future. Snowball is more idealistic and focused on improving the animals' lives, while Napoleon is cunning and power-hungry. Their rivalry intensifies as they compete for control and influence.
Unfortunately, Napoleon gradually undermines Snowball's authority and accuses him of being a traitor. Napoleon causes Snowball to be chased away from the farm, leaving him as the sole leader. With Snowball gone, Napoleon consolidates his power and takes full control of Animal Farm. He alters the Seven Commandments to suit his interests and establishes a cult of personality around himself.
But as time passes, the pigs, particularly Napoleon and his inner circle, start to resemble the humans they once rebelled against. They enjoy privileges, manipulate the other animals, and engage in corrupt practices. They also use propaganda and fear to exploit the other animals for their own benefit, and break several commandments.
Alas! The pigs start walking on two legs, wear clothes, and begin interacting with the humans they once revolted against. They rewrite the Seven Commandments to a single phrase: "All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others." The once-rebellious idealistic animals can no longer distinguish the pigs from the humans.
This, my dear reader, is Ghana's story. The pigs we once hailed are indistinguishable from the humans we revolted against. We are the animals. Who are the pigs and who are the humans? These, I leave to you!
