As 2016 draws to a close virtually all of humankind is focusing on the new year we are about to enter. And it is also safe to say that we are all pondering what 2017 portends for each one of us.
And at this time of the year, many will doubtless also be thinking about the health of humanity's common home, our one biosphere, the planet Earth - and will resolve to do what they can to keep it in reasonable shape: by limiting our carbon footprints and being more green-conscious throughout the new year.
In the political sphere, the world has entered an era in which fake news on social media platforms, can negatively impact outcomes for good and responsible politicians during elections - and unfairly ruin the reputations of those who wield power.
That is why Ghana's next president would be wise to devise a strategy that will insulate him from the lies and propaganda that now pass for politicking in Ghana - a society in which national leaders are subjected to abuse on a daily basis in the print and electronic media as well as on social media platforms.
A wise course of action would be for the president-elect, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, to follow Nigerian President Buhari's example, and tell the world his personal net worth before assuming office - and promise to do so again before the 2020 presidential elections.
That will set the tone for his administration and enable him to occupy the moral high ground in our nation's politics.
He must also follow the example of former President Rawlings, and make it absolutely clear to all his blood-relatives and close friends that now that he is Ghana's elected leader, they have a moral obligation to keep their noses clean at all material times.
He must then go on to tell them that if they get into trouble of any sort - by engaging in either unethical or unlawful conduct - they must not expect the President of the Republic of Ghana to come to their rescue, simply because of their personal relationship with him. He will never, as a matter of principle, intervene in any such matters. And that is that. Case closed.
If he reads the riot act to them bluntly in those terms, and publicises it so the whole nation becomes aware of it, and takes note of that tough-minded anti-corruption signal, he will find that when rumours of high-level corruption start swirling around the country about his regime - as they inevitably will in time because he is not ushering in rule by saints - he will be insulated from any accusations of being complicit by association, should corruption scandals rock his regime.
Like many in Ghana this blog is praying hard that the presidency of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo will be a very successful one - for all our sake as a people: who have been much traumatised by the brutal gang-rape of Mother Ghana we have witnessed thus far, over the years since the 4th Republic came into being.
In that regard, may 2017 be a much better year for our nation and its hardpressed citizens. Amen.
And throughout their tenure - after they are sworn into office by the next President - may our nation's new leaders always be mindful of the trust Ghanaians have reposed in them in all they do in the new Akufo-Addo administration that assumes power on 7th January, 2017.
Happy new year to all the readers of the Ghanapolitics blog. May the new year be exactly the kind of year they (and all Ghanaians!) wish for themselves and their loved ones.
This blog assures its readers that we will watch our new leaders with eagle eyes - and as patriots who love their country passionately criticise them constructively whenever necessary: for national interest reasons. Naturally.
Ditto offer them simple nation-building ideas that will benefit our nation and its people - as our widow's mite contribution to making the enterprise Ghana prosperous. We must all aim to help transform our country into an African equivalent of the egalitarian societies of Scandinavia.
May God bless, protect and guide our homeland Ghana, as well as its leaders and citizens, throughout 2017. And when the exact moment arrives after midnight on 31st December, 2016, do remember, if you can, dear reader, that this blog wishes you a very happy new year! We will doubtless meet again, in 2017, God willing.
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