What a clean washroom at Prempeh I International Airport says about Ghana’s development

This past weekend, I travelled to Kumasi to attend a funeral. As is often the case when travelling, I paid attention not only to the journey itself but also to the little details that shape one’s experience of public services. It was at Prempeh I International Airport that I encountered a lesson which, in my view, extends far beyond aviation and speaks directly to Ghana’s development agenda.

What impressed me most was not the terminal building or the modern facilities. Rather, it was the condition of the public washrooms. On my arrival, they were exceptionally clean. When I returned to the airport several hours later for my departure, I noticed that they were being cleaned again. It became clear that cleanliness was not the result of good fortune or light patronage. It was the outcome of a deliberate system of continuous maintenance. ...