Today marks Ghana’s 68th independence anniversary, hurray!!!
Ghana gained independence from British Colonial rule on 6th March, 1957.
The day is therefore observed annually as a holiday in remembrance of the struggles our founding fathers had to go through to secure independence from the colonial masters.
The occasion is also used to honour the founding fathers of the nation led by the Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah. The rest are; Ebenezer Ako-Adjei Edward Akufo-Addo, Joseph Boakye Danquah, Emmanuel Obetsebi-Lamptey and William Ofori-Atta.
Known as the Big Six, they were all kingpins of the United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC) which was formed on August 4, 1947 to champion the quest for political independence.
However, disagreements between the rest and Dr. Nkrumah over when independence should be granted resulted in his ceding to form the Convention Peoples Party (CPP) in June, 1949.
History has it that whereas the UGCC wanted ‘self-government in the shortest possible time’, Dr Nkrumah’s CPP wanted ‘self-government now’. This path, he pursued and was able to secure independence accordingly.
Therefore, 68 years ago, Dr Kwame Nkrumah made the famous declaration “…after all, the black man is capable of managing his own affairs…Ghana our beloved country is free forever.”
In keeping with this statement, succeeding governments have over the years, used various themes to mark the day in a bid to ensure that we are, indeed, able to manage our own affairs.
A look back at thirteen of these themes in our recent history, in comparison with how far we have come as a nation, is therefore not out of place.
2025 – Reflect, Review, Reset
This year’s Independence anniversary is being used to reset the whole country. In plain English, the word reset means “set again or differently.” However, in the field of electronics, it is explained as “cause (a binary device) to enter the state representing the numeral 0.”
This is a clear indication that since 1957, we have been going round in circles without any headway, hence the need to reflect and start all over again. By choosing this theme, our leaders are saying that we are back to Zero (0).
The good news is that starting from zero offers a fresh start. One can only hope that the way will be clearer this time round.
The lack of funds reason for the return to the Jubilee House for this year’s celebration offers serious grounds for sober reflections on how we manage our scarce financial resources going forward.
2024- Our Democracy, our pride
There is no doubt that our democracy is a source of our pride. That’s because many of our African compatriots envy the fact that for 32 years, we have ensured stable governance while some of them are at each other’s throats.
It is definitely a source of pride to change governments between the National Democratic Congress and the New Patriotic Party over the 32-year period. And we should feel pride in busking that glory.
The question though is whether the average Ghanaian can be that proud of our democracy? Not with the winner takes all system guaranteed by the 1992 Constitution, whose effect is square pegs in round holes. A phenomenon that has resulted in debt-riddled State-Owned Enterprises and a permanent seat at the conference hall of the International Monetary Fund.
2023 – Our unity, our strength and purpose
What better way to demonstrate our unity than rotate the celebration of our Independence. The people of Adaklu in the Volta Region should be proud to have hosted the 2023 edition.
This level of unity guarantees our strength as espoused by the sage, “in unity lies strength”. The challenge is whether we are clear with our purpose as a nation. That’s because instead of a strategic national development plan, we work with manifestos. Hence, development projects started by one government are left to rot while successive governments start theirs.
2022 – Working together, bouncing back better.
It is the hope of many Ghanaians that we actually bounce back. Otherwise, the status quo does not give much hope. This is because the refrain from interviews with a cross section of Ghanaians is that, “times are hard.”
2021- No theme?
Unfortunately, due to the COVID- 19 pandemic, government thought it prudent to depart from the trademark pump and pageantry to mark the day.
The usual March Past Parade at the Blackstar Square by school children and personnel from the security services was equally suspended in adherence to the social distancing protocol associated with the pandemic.
In its place, a short special ceremony was held at the forecourt of the Jubilee House. It was attended by President Akufo-Addo, Vice President Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia, selected personnel of the security services, Ministers of state, government officials and invited dignitaries.
Consequently, it does seem no theme was selected to mark the day. That’s because Google has not been able to help me in this regard.
2020- Consolidating our Gains
We planned to consolidate our gains but COVID- 19 took everything away. That is why we are where we are today, according to President Akufo Addo and his appointees.
2019- Celebrating Peace and Unity
We celebrate the peace and unity we enjoy as a nation. But with incessant complaints on the parts of the masses, persons with institutional and historical knowledge are cautioning that if things do not change, we could go back to the days when coup d’états were rife in Ghana.
2018- Ghana Beyond Aid
We tried to go beyond aid by instituting various measures that would make us achieve this bold step. However, evidence on the ground is that we are very far from this vision.
2017- Mobilizing for Ghana’s Future
Government is still trying to mobilise but the people are saying that they have had enough with paying taxes. Therefore, all the nuisance taxes such as Electronic Transaction Levy (e-levy), Betting tax, and COVID levy which are being used to mobilize money from all of us, should be scrapped.
2016- Investing in the Youth for Ghana’s Transformation
The youth are still waiting for the newly created Ministry for Youth Development to create the promised jobs. The situation is dire as those of them who happened to have had jobs after the December 7 elections are being sacked in droves.
2015- Achieving Transformation Through National Unity
As for the national unity, we have it. The various tribes marry among themselves and students from various parts of the country live peacefully in senior high schools and universities without any conflicts. What is left is the transformation.
2014- Building a Better and Prosperous Ghana through patriotism and National Unity
As stated above the national unity is intact. The better and prosperous Ghana is what everybody is now looking forward to. It is the wish of many a Ghanaian that it will be soon.
2013- Investing in The Youth For Ghana’s Transformation
‘Na investment no wo hi?’ where is the investment? is the question most Ghanaian youth are asking government. It is the hope of the teeming unemployed youth that they will secure jobs after school to live a decent life.
However, most feel so frustrated that I overheard some in a conversation, “our colonial masters chained us and took us to America, now if we get the opportunity, we will send our own chains and offer to be shipped into slavery.”
The refrain on the streets is “We go Jakpa”. With the Foreign Affairs Minister’s 24-hour passport services, all countries with visa free entry for Ghanaians should brace themselves.
President Mahama assures
But there seem to be some light at the end of the tunnel. President Mahama is full of hope.
“Fellow citizens, I know the road to economic recovery will be challenging, but we must not relent in our quest to rebuild the Ghana we all want for the sake of future generations. We owe it to ourselves, our children, and our country to rebuild an economy that is resilient, sustainable, and capable of delivering real opportuniJes for every citizen.
My priority as President is to restore macroeconomic stability. We must enforce responsible public financial management and ensure fiscal discipline at all levels of government while working to reduce hardships.
I fully understand that the road ahead will not be easy, but it is a road we must travel. The government is not alone in its responsibility for rebuilding Ghana’s economy. It is a shared responsibility that requires the active participation of every Ghanaian.
Let us rise to the occasion, take decisive and necessary action and leave behind a legacy of economic resilience, stability, and prosperity for future generations,” he said at the opening of the recently held National Economic Dialogue.
We can only keep our fingers crossed with the hope that our President will be vindicated with regard to his promise of prosperity for future generations.
Happy Independence Anniversary.
