58 Years Of Independence,Progression or Retrogression?

Once again, it is time for the people of Ghana and indeed Africa as a whole to celebrate the struggle for independence which was later won on 6th March, 1957. The importance of this wonderful day in the lives of Ghanaians and Africans at large cannot be done without.But as we celebrate this day, it is also important that we find out the progress we have made so far as a nation after 58 years of independence.

The african man wants freedom, he wants liberty. He wants to have his own entitlements. He wants to do things on his own.Yet, whenever someone takes the risk of beginning something to help realise the freedom of others, disunity becomes the order of the day. Democracy is misunderstood to be the "biggest dog eats all" in the african regime. We cry for peace everyday yet we never want to hear of justice. It is weird to ask a king to come on a voyage without his chief guard.

It is therefore certainly impossible for us to eliminate the import of justice in the sustainability of peace. Africa has got resources . We are heavily endowed with minerals, our forests cover a vast mass of our total land area. Africa can do far better than other continents. But our selfish ambitions and dream-killing envy are our major setbacks. The likes of Muammar Al-Qhaddafi of Lybia and Dr. Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana were not given the chance to fulfill the dreams they had for Africa. Our black mentality has led to the retardation in our development. We have the resources yet we are suffering whiles those who do not have the resources are making it big. It is really sad and heart breaking. I know somehow somewhere, all the old folks who fought so hard to give Africa her independence would be weeping in their graves now.

As we mark the 58th Birthday of the Republic of Ghana, it is prudent that we call to mind the efforts made by our forefathers to win for us this land. Let us also try to judge if we as a people have done any collective effort to improve upon the development of the nation. In the early 60's, Ghana was seen as the light of Africa hence the name "Black Stars". But it seems the essence of this name has lost its value down the ages. We can still win back that prestige. We can still make an impact in Africa.

It all depends on change of attitude. We should learn to eschew selfishness and always put Ghana first in everything we do. Corruption and bribery should be eliminated from our nation.The perception that government entails the president and his ministers only must be deleted from our memories as Ghanaians.It is very apalling that in this 21st century, we still don't see ourselves as part of government. I feel bad when i sit and listen to people on the radio referring to the president and his cabinet as government and that they should solve the problems for us. The problems in Ghana are not a one-man problem.

These problems affect us all as a people. So why can't we all put hands together in making things right for the nation?Last week, on one of our local radio stations, the host asked how many Ghanaians would pay 100 cedis each to see to the problem of power outages(Dumsor) in the country on their drive jam show. I was shocked by the reply given by many. About 78% of the callers made it clear that the taxes they paid was enough to settle the problems and that they saw no need for them paying extra. My fellow Ghanaians, is there any sense of citizenship in this? That spirit of nationalism and good citizenship has become a thing of the past.

The Ghanaian citizen does not want to make any effort to help boost the state of the nation anymore. Yet, we always blame the president and his cabinet everyday. I must say, the spirit with which our grandfathers fought for independence has gone down the drain and drastic measures must be put in place to inculcate in the ghanaian population, the need for good citizenship. Otherwise, i personally think this issue of independence day celebration should be stopped.

I am with a very heavy heart as i write this words to the reading of each and everybody who visits this site. Let us see changes occurring. Let us bring back the pride of being a Ghanaian. Let us redeem the image of Ghana once again at the international scene and keep the flag hoisting so high in the sky. Long live Ghana. Long Live Africa!

Happy birthday, Mother Ghana.