Today, Thursday, March 6, 2025, marks Ghana’s 68th Independence Day Anniversary Celebration as the beacon of our democratic principles and values in Africa.
As a Country, we have come a long way and we have equally demonstrated compelling and unmatched democratic credentials.
This has elevated Ghana’s understanding of collaboration, teamwork, and peaceful coexistence irrespective of some of the challenges faced.
However, despite all the successes chalked over the past 68 years of independence, we are still saddled with some national issues of concern confronting the development and well-being of the citizens.
In fact, since the day Ghana gained her Independence on 6th March 1957, we have had successive governments that have ruled the Nation up to date.
But are we satisfied with the pace of the County’s human, infrastructure, and socioeconomic development? This question begs for succinct answers without hesitation.
Many have an objective view that Ghana is progressing at a snail’s pace with politicians controlling the purse with self-centered development.
Others also have divergent views on the Country’s progress made so far with the hope and belief that the Country has seen a substantial level of development, irrespective of the economic doldrum.
Fast forward to the main focus of this piece, the Country since 1992, has gone through a peaceful handover of power from one political Party to the other despite the Nation being controlled by the two main Political Parties.
The 1992 constitution has been the guide, rules, and regulations for which the Country is being run to ensure smooth sailing without any mishap.
What’s worth noting is that we are blessed with different natural resources, i.e., gold, bauxite, timber, and oil which other Countries can’t boast of what we have as a Nation.
To shed more light on the above-mentioned natural resources, how have we used them to the benefit of the citizens and the development of the Country at large?
Instructively, we export some of these natural resources like gold, timber, oil, etc but many question the judicious use of the money gained from the transactions made.
Perhaps some say it all boils down to a lack of effective and development-oriented leadership from the two main Political Parties, and others also have a varied opinion on the electorates who continued to give the politicians the mandate to govern.
Be that as it may, it’s incumbent on us as citizens to sometimes put our political lenses down and focus on National collective, and collaborative development. This should have been the guiding principle to send a signal to the political class to also prioritize National Development.
In my objective view, I think it’s high time for us to inculcate the habit of positivity hinged on instilling patriotism in the young ones to grow up with a mindset of nation development instead of personal parochial interests.
Realistically, the young ones are growing up with the mindset of amassing wealth and a self-centered attitude, which will continue to breed corruption and a lack of patriotism.
Indeed, no nation will develop with such a mindset of inward thinking instead of prioritizing the collective development of the Country to create an enabling environment for businesses and humans to thrive.
Back to the political class, it’s incumbent on us, especially those with the power, to rethink and find diverse ways to equip the young ones with skills, training, and empowerment. This, once implemented successfully, will go a long way to bring out and develop the full potential of the upcoming ones.
Yes, we cannot throw our hands in despair, thinking everything is moving on successfully, but indirectly, it’s the opposite of the thoughts we have. We have what it takes to make Ghana great by timely utilization of the available Natural Resources.
Without any shred of doubt, we are faced with good drinking water, good roads, access to quality Education, Health, Security, galamsey, economic, unemployment, and other social vices.
With the above-mentioned challenges, the country needs urgent and swift intervention programs with concerted efforts to eradicate the level of difficulties hampering the developmental needs of the citizens.
In addition, every year, we celebrate with a Theme, but does it reflect on the pace of development and individual contributions to alleviating the level of suffering some people go through due to lack of employment and other opportunities?
Notwithstanding the excruciating economic challenges faced, we must have a second thought on how to contribute our quota irrespective of the pull or push by the movers and shakers of the County’s economy.
In clear terms, I believe that the leadership at the helm of affairs should ensure a level playing field for the involvement of all in the governance processes of the Country. Also, we should focus on championing an agenda tailored towards the “National Development Plan”.
Doubtless, political parties campaigned with a social contract with the people, i.e., through the promises made in their manifestos. Nonetheless, the strict focus on fulfilling these promises doesn’t bring the required development needed by the citizens in some instances.
On a more serious note, focusing on the National Development Plan by our leaders and instilling patriotism in the Citizenry will go a step further to bring out desirous outcomes that will inure to the benefit of all.
In conclusion, this year’s Theme is ( Reflect, Review, and Reset). This year’s anniversary should serve as an opportunity for our leaders at the helm of affairs to tackle the menace of galamsey which they mounted a spirited campaign that is dead silent after they won power.
The issue of protecting our water bodies and natural resources should be the ultimate concern of Mr. President not just words but actions to combat the consequences of galamsey and those who are engaged in it.
Shalom!
Long live Ghana!
God bless our homeland, Ghana, and make our Nation great and strong!
By: Columnist-Abdulai Abdul-Razak
Tamale South Constituency
[email protected]
