Sixty-eight years ago, on March 6, 1957, Ghana attained political independence from the British Colonial Government.
As it has always been the case every year, the celebration was marked with colorful activities and programmes throughout the length and breadth of the Country and usually declared a statutory public holiday.
This year, with the celebration on a lighter scale with less pomp and pageantry was a deviation from the past to cut down cost on the national purse in the midst of the country’s economic challenges.
The usual anniversary parade of school children and the security forces at the Independence Square normally associated with the celebration over the years with a host of dignitaries both local and foreign was scaled down, thereby saving almost 95% of the budget which could have run into 20 million cedis.
The usual fun fare at Osu with increased economic activity with traders cashing in was absent.
The celebration was a modest one at the seat of Government. Similar modest celebrations were also observed in the Regions and Districts across the Country with limited parades of school children.
Indeed, the entire month of March designated “Ghanas Month” to showcase and project everything Ghanaian is a laudable public relations effort. The “Ghana Brand”.
The Black Star of Africa.
The theme for the 2025 Independence Day Anniversary celebration – “Reflect, Review, reset” (3rs) provides food for thought. Reflecting over the state of Ghana over the past 68 years, reviewing our progress and challenges as a nation and indeed, re-setting the national agenda for a greater tomorrow.
Technically, if we were to equate the state Ghana to an employee status, then per the Labour Laws of Ghana, we can say Ghana has “retired” eight years ago.
The question on the lips of many is “how have we fared as a nation in the last sixty-eight years?” Opinions are varied.
One school of thought contends that relatively, we have done fairly well especially with a stable and peaceful political environment since 1992 under the Fourth Republic.
Thirty-two years of political stability, peace and security in spite of the challenges in recent times resulting into the unfortunate incidents of destruction of state properties and loss of lives in our elections history.
That in the midst of the political turbulence in the West-African Sub-Region and beyond, Ghana remains a peaceful country forging ahead in unity.
The other school of thought argues that comparatively to our age groups or classmates – Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand among the host of other countries, we have fall far behind, especially at our economic progress and development to better the living conditions of Ghanaians after sixty-eight years of independence.
They argue – why should a bar of chocolate in Ghana be more expensive than in European Countries when the Cocoa is right here in Ghana?
Perhaps drawing similarity to a situation where a basket of fish is more expensive in Elmina, Cape Coast, Mankessim or Accra than in Kumasi, Techiman or any other town hundreds of miles away from the sea.
That after sixty-eight years of Independence Ghana should not be in this economic quagmire with all the natural and mineral resources at our disposal and still discovering a lot more.
Sixty-eight years down the line, our industrialization policy suffered a setback which could have played a major role in creating employment opportunities and effective economic base for the country.
Our economic paradigm still structured on the colonial model. Knocking on the doors of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) good seventeen times. Educational reforms constantly under review.
Various socio-economic policies interrupted without seeing the light of day. But whichever way one looks at it, we cannot throw away both the dirty water and the baby. We have successes as a nation to celebrate and reflect upon.
Our unity in diversity, ability to tolerate opposing views, the peace, security and stability, the modest socio-economic achievements made as we strive to surmount the economic challenges in the midst of the global economic situation.
Ghana has become one of the most attractive tourist destinations in Africa with a steady increase in tourist inflows registering over 1 million.
The campaign slogan of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) “Building the Ghana we want” and the Re-set Agenda should be a clarion call for all.
Indeed, a time to reflect, review, and reset for a greater tomorrow after sixty-eight years of nationhood. Putting Ghana first.
Developing our mindset through our actions that reflects the words in our National Anthem and National Pledge.
We have every reason to celebrate and be the proud Ghanaians we are believing in ourselves for a greater tomorrow.
