Is Ghana Still Worth Dying For?

Gone are days when the national anthem of Ghana “… Bold to defend forever the course of freedom and of our rights...” is loved cherished and practised to the fullest. The days when men and women, children and adults uphold firmly the pride of being Ghanaian and The days when the national anthem is being observed, no citizen makes any noise nor move until it is completed. The days when, citizens were prepared to sacrifice their time, resources and entire life for the betterment of mother Ghana. The days of the toil and blood of our fathers and pride of being patriotic. The days when heroes, legends and patriotic citizens were revered, honored and protected. Those days are completely dead and gone. Today, the sound of the national pledge, “I promise on my honour, to be faithful and loyal to Ghana my motherland, … to uphold and defend the good name of Ghana” is now but a daily passing wind, neither pleasant to the ear nor refreshing to the heart.

Ghana is bleeding in dead silence in the 21st century. I still remember the gruesome murder of Major Maxwell Mahama and many other patriotic citizens. The recent assassinations of some hardworking Ghanaians most particularly the anticorruption crusader and a partner to investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas, Ahmed Huisain- Suale is an indication that Ghana is no longer a country one should sacrificed his/her life for. Unfortunately, many of the committers of these heinous crimes are still roaming with complete freedom. The Ghana Police Service and the CID though is doing their possible best, I personally think they lack the intelligence to fight these crimes. Criminals of this nature are not supposed to roam in this country.

Frankly speaking, the Ghanaian political bigwigs are to blame in some of these killings. They have over the years shown lackadaisical attitudes towards the development of this country. Their promises are attractive and mouth watering, but their actions and inactions are bedeviling. Their daily utterances have fueled many negative behaviors and their frequent interference with the security services in relation to arrest and prosecutions of suspected criminals have aggravated criminal activities. Their policies are stomach policies and hold no lasting value in the development objective of this country. The politicians have managed to lure the gullible unemployed youth into actions that are rather detrimental to the developmental fortunes of this country. I still remember the loud call that the current president made to Ghanaians; “don’t be spectators, be citizens”, yet when workers in recent times raised issues or challenges facing some institutions or in relations to the introduction of some policies, those “citizens” were either transferred, fired from office, or given a strong warning. The interference of the practice of freedom of speech and expression will only mud the fortress of the country as citizens will no longer behave as a citizen, but sit at the fence and watch. On daily basis, fighters of rots is society, especially journalists are beaten, molested and now they are being targeted for assassination.

In Ghana, we are good at talking, but slow in action. Our law courts are good, but justice is often denied because of long periods of investigations and trial. Many suspected killers of past citizens are still not being prosecuted. Yet hooligans of this country are enjoying so much impunity.

As a country, we have tolerated corruption and misuse of public funds for far too long. Holders of public offices now see corruption and embezzlement as something acceptable. So anyone attempting to uncover such wrongs is targeted for assassination. The good doers and patriotic citizens are now seen as “bad boys” who should be eliminated from the Ghanaian society. Society now cherished individualism and secularism, wealth making at all cost, property grabbing by any means. Gambling is permitted, same as alcoholism. Nepotism and discrimination is everywhere! Political egocentrism and hypocrisy is the order of the day.

Now Ghana is in a crossroad. Ghanaians are now “refugees” in their own home. Not refugees of violence nor natural disasters, but refugees of fear: the fear to sacrifice for mother Ghana and the fear of brutal attack and assassination. Safety and security is missing, confidence in the police is fading, freedom and justice is being compromised and hope is diminishing. Ghana is sitting on a time bomb. If our leaders don’t change positively, then persistent civil unrest awaits us. Ghana must not suffer, Ghanaians deserve better safety and security and sustainable development. The time to act is now or never.

Written by:
ABU IBRAHIM AZEBRE
A TUTOR AT FUMBISI SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
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