Bright Future for Ghana after 50 years of Independence

INDEPENDENCE ARCH OF GHANA

By Mawutodzi K.Abissath

Ghana is celebrating her 51^st Independence Anniversary this year. In other words, 51 years ago Ghana wrenched her political independence from colonial Britain to become the first independent country in black Africa on 6^th March, 1957.

It is common knowledge that before independence Ghana was known as the Gold Coast. The struggle for the independence had not been easy at all. The independence was not granted on a silver platter. People had to shed tears and blood. Lives had to be sacrificed here and there. This explains why the first sentence uttered by Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah on the even of the proclamation of independence was: “At long last, the battle has ended; and Ghana, our beloved country, is free for ever!” What battle was he talking about?

It is therefore imperative that any time we celebrate the independence anniversary of this blessed land called Ghana, we must never forget to pay tribute to our national heroes. Do you remember that on 28^th February, 1948 war veterans like Sergeant Adjetey, Corporal Attipoe and Private Odartey Lamptey were gunned down like armed robbers when they went to present a petition to the Colonial Governor of the Gold Coast at the Christianborg Castle at Osu in Accra? What crime did they commit? Indeed, it was their blood that galvanised the momentum and served as catalyst for the legendary BIG SIX to go for the gold –the INDEPENDENCE. These BIG SIX who were collected and dumped in jails across the country, were they armed robbers? These are among the greatest national heroes we must pay homage to whenever we are popping Champaign and tinkling glasses for independence celebrations today. For they shed their blood for us to enjoy all the freedom we are sometimes abusing today.

On March 6^th, 2007 when Ghana was celebrating the Golden Jubilee Anniversary of her Independence, H.E. President J.A.Kufuor made a very simple but profound statement when he addressed the nation. He said, and I quote: “It is a great time to be Ghanaian!” That simple but philosophical declaration by President Kufuor can be analysed, interpreted and fashioned out into volumes by this author for posterity. Why it is a great time to be Ghanaian, one may ask?

To answer that rhetoric question, let’s take a glance at the theme for this year’s 51^st Independence Anniversary Celebration, which is: GHANA AFTER 50: LOOKING FORWARD INTO THE FUTURE WITH HOPE. Without any stretch of imagination, it can be concluded that this theme is not only appropriate but also most thought provoking and the best at the threshold of the next 50 years of Ghana’s independence anniversary. In other words, the 51^st anniversary marks the first year of the Centenary or 100 years of Ghana’s nationhood. Because Ghanaians are human and cannot not be too sure of what the future holds in stock for them as a nation, they can only hope for the best. This is why Looking Forward into the Future with Hope is fantastically relevant.

There is this French proverb which says: “Every intelligent traveler ought to know where he is coming from and where he is going to.” After 50 years of independence, Ghanaians as intelligent people doubtlessly knew where they came from and they want to go from now on. Politically, the past 50 years had been fraught military coup d’etats that really dealt some deadly blows to the nation’s forward march towards good governance and democracy. Is this situation the nation would like to experience again in the next 50 years?

Economically, if the nation’s natural resources had been effectively and efficiently managed, would there have been any Ghanaian child who would go to bed without a meal? Would there have been any Ghanaian child denied basic education? It common place that Ghana is such a blessed land endowed with all kinds of resources including gold, diamond, bauxite, cocoa, timber, arable land, rivers, rain falls and abundant sun shine all year round. But how did we as a nation manage these resources in past 50 years? Did we allow corruption, selfishness and greed to dominate our way of doing things? In terms of human resources, Ghana is blessed with some of the best brains in Africa if not in the world as whole. One can cite the immediate past UN Secretary-General Busumuru Kofi Annan to symbolise the human resource base of Ghana. These are just a few reasons why Ghana could have done better than she did than she did in terms of socio-economic, political and cultural prosperity in the first 50 years of her independence.

Fortunately for Ghana, in last decade of the past decade or so of the past 50 years precisely from 1993 to today when democracy was allowed to operate, the country has seen tremendous improvement in the governance of the country. This is why there is abundant hope for the nation as we look forward into the future. For the past eight years Kufuor administration more improvement has been added to the previous administration especially in the area of good governance and rule of law. Here on can mention the abolishing of the criminal libel laws from the statues of Ghana.

Solid foundation has been laid for the economic take off across board. By this, I mean the various sectors of the economy including agriculture, education, health, transportation, communications, investment, tourism, foreign policies, sports and what have you? Capitation grant and school feeding programme has created opportunity for school going children to be in school and be given at least one meal free of charge. This is something we must not take for granted.

The National Health Insurance Scheme has come into being, 48% of Ghanaians are benefiting from it and it is being improved on progressively. Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is gradually but steadily making taking Ghana on the Information Super High Way through the Internet. Ghana Government has a comprehensive ICT Policy already in place. Right now the Government has started establishing what is referred to as Community Information Centres (CICs) in all the 230 electoral constituencies throughout the country. This is a viable strategy that concretely ensures that ICTs are taken closer to rural people who are in majority in Ghana. First class roads, railways and ports and harbours are being constructed, or rehabilitated and expanded and extended to various parts of the country.

Above all, what makes the hope for the future more concrete and realistic is the miraculous discovery of oil in commercial quantity in the golden jubilee year in this most blessed nation on earth. The story of oil discovery in no long a fairy tale in the development history of Ghana. It is real. But a doubting Thomas may ask: Where is the proof that Ghana has discovered oil in commercial quantity?

On Monday February 25, 2008, the Government of Ghana did something which was described as unprecedented in the history of oil industry in the world. What was that? A two-day National Gas and Oil Forum was at GIMPA in Accra. That forum brought together experts in the oil industry and stakeholders to brainstorm and what was referred to as “Organic and Comprehensive National Gas Policy and Master Plan” for the oil sector in the country. If there was no oil discovered would the Government have spent tax payer’s scarce resources to embark on such a venture?

Ghanaian President Kufuor who opened that national forum on that memorable day said among other things: “… I am therefore using this occasion to invite all levels of investors in the oil and allied industries to invest in Ghana’s economy which is poised for accelerated growth.” This is the hope all well-meaning Ghanaians must hold as a torch as the 51^st Independence Anniversary Celebration 2008 leads the nation into a brighter future.

Ghana 2008 and the Spirit of Nationalism

The pretty black angel taking the precious trophy to the podium for presentation

By Mawutodzi K. Abissath

At long last, the golden jubilee 26th Africa Cup of Nations – Ghana 2008 tournament has come and gone. Even though Ghana could not grab the gold, she was able to snatch the bronze medal; and the nation is patriotically richer than ever before.

But one legacy bequeathed Ghanaians by the tournament which must never be allowed to desert us as a people is the Spirit of Nationalism. And the 23 young players out of 22 million coaches, who carried the entire nation on their fragile shoulders and sweated under supreme pressures from January 20 to February 10, 2008, were the twinkle, twinkle Black Stars of Ghana. The stylish Stars did the trick with their superb “soccerlistic” skills and crowned it with their “kangaroonistic” acrobatic legs and pinching fingers to stride. It was simply titillating and infectious like flu. It did not take long before other African nations, starting with the almighty Nigeria, began to make photocopies of their copyright dancing steps. No piracy here, please! Michael Essien of Ghana is the originator, initiator and inventor of “Kangaroonistic” dance in Africa and in the world of soccer. Any body who wants to duplicate that dance must obtain permission from him. Period!

What shall we tell the gallant 23? “Ghana Black Starts, Ayikooo! Bravo! You have chalked up what Napoleon could not have achieved.” And we should always keep this African proverb at the back of our minds: “Those who did not take part in the warfare always have the pleasure to fume and critisise the battalions that they did not fight hard enough.” Do not blame them, for they know not how monkey sweats.

As matter of fact, Ghana did very, very well. To be able to crush Guinea 2 – 1 ; pip Namibia 1 – 0; demolish Nigeria 2 – 1; massacre Cote d’Ivoire 4- 2, before finally going down 0 – 1 against Cameroon under some technical mishaps and “huhudious” officiating conspiracy, it was not a mean feat at all. In other words, with exception of Namibia, all the countries that Ghana crushed like empty shells on the way before snatching the Bronze medal are super power nations as far as football in Africa is concerned. Just go and look at the FIFA ranking of those countries on the continent before the commencement of Ghana 2008 tournament.

About 20 years ago, in 1987 to be precise, this author watched an American film at the Executive Theatre of the then Ghana Film Industry Corporation (GFIC) in Accra. (I don’t quite remember the title of that film). But in the film, a little boy of about five, living with his mother was naughty in some way. It was as if the boy intentionally poured some water on the dinning table and his mother was mad. The mother started scolding him. She nagged and nagged and made insinuation to the boy’s father who was not at home at the time. Suddenly, this tiny boy flared up, looked at his huge mother in the face and retorted: “Mum, why are you nagging at me like that? Don’t you know that I am an American?” The mother was so shocked and spell-bound that she could no longer utter a word thereafter.

How do some nations on this planet of imperfection manage to infuse or inculcate the spirit of patriotism into their citizens to the extend that, even when they go wrong in one way or another, most of their citizens are still prepared to defend them or even lay down their lives for their countries? At what age do they start pumping the sense of patriotism into the minds of their citizens? And what returns do such patriotic citizens expect back from their nations?

Fired up by this “holy” spirit of nationalism, some Ghanaians went to the extent of not only draping themselves in national colours, but adorn their dogs, cats, rams, goats and fowls, with Ghana flags - all jubilating in support of the national team – the Black Stars. Even some foreign nationals in Ghana or visitors who just came in to witness the event were so infested with the Ghanaian spirit of nationalism that they started competing to prove that they were even more Ghanaians than the Ghanaians themselves. (We say they are more catholic than the Pope himself). It was just fantastic!

In August 2007, the Ministry of Information and National Orientation formally launched the National Orientation Sensitisation Programme at the Accra International Centre. It is relevant to quickly refresh our memory of the Five Pillars of the National Orientation which were unveiled on that occasion: 1. Proud to be Ghanaian; 2. Patriotism and a Spirit of “Ghana First”; 3. Positive and a “Can – Do – it “Attitude; 4. Productivity and Accountability and 5. Dedication and Discipline.

One is yet to conduct a scientific survey to determine the impact of the programme on the population. Nevertheless, through casual observation so far, it will not be out of place to opine that since the launch of the National Orientation programme, coupled with gradual but deliberate and sustained efforts by the Ministry to conscientise people about the need to do things in a certain ways as a people, slowly but progressively the spirit of patriotism or nationalism is being rekindled in the minds of many Ghanaians. It can be concluded that at least, the Pillar N0 1, “Proud to be Ghanaian” has virtually taken roots in the hearts of many citizens of this loving country of hospitable people.

Do you remember that during the tournament, the Minister for Information and National Orientation, Hon Oboshie Sai Cofie, had to issue an official statement, reminding the entire nation that any time the national anthem was being played or sung, every body ought to remain standing and quiet until the anthem was over? That was a simple but profound national orientation instruction. So, even in our anxiety to display the depth of our patriotism, it is important to take note of such basic ethics of nationalism.

Although it is the Information Ministry which initiated the policy, it needs the collaboration of other institutions such as the National Commission on Civic Education, the Ghana Education Service, Commission on Culture, Commission on Children, the Churches, Mosques, the Shrines as well as individual parents and teachers to be able to effectively executive it for the success of the National Orientation programme in the supreme interest of the nation.

At this juncture, it is imperative to say a word of appreciation to all Ghanaians from the President of the Republic to the truck pusher at the Sodom and Gomorrah market for the massive support accorded the National Team. Ghanaian Parliamentarians made better noises than even the Supporters Unions who were paid to make noises. For those Pastors who cast away their orthodox cassocks for a moment and put on dresses in national colours to preach with their congregations blowing horns in the churches all dressed in national colours, God has taken note of the holy spirit of nationalism that descended on them.

Our Muslim brothers and sisters as well as the traditional worshipers could not be outdone in the massive support for the Black Stars. Did you see that man who always went to the stadium with live guinea fowls? How about those who carried R.I.P.coffins of certain countries and opponent players? They were all part of psychological supporting strategies. As for those who do not believe in the existence of God, God still loves them any way.

But if prizes were to be awarded to individuals or groups of best supporters of the Black Stars, Ghanaian women would have cleared all at stake hands down. Ghanaian women do not only know how to play football but they can analyse soccer and support the national team in grand styles. My goodness! I saw women of all shapes and sizes from toddlers to octogenarian supporting the Black Stars from January to December non stop. It was incredible. Apart from supporting the Black Stars as a National Team, Ghanaian women instantly established women supporters unions for every individual Black Star player.

Here is the list of Women Supporters Unions for all 23 players of the Ghana 2008 tournament:

1. Sammy Adjei Women Supporters Union

2. Hans Adu Sarpei Women Supporters Union

3. Asamoah Gyan Women Supporters Union

4. John Paintsil Women Supporters Union

5. John Mensah Women Supporters Union

6. Anthony Annan Women Supporters Union

7. Laryea Kingston Women Supporters Union

8. Mihael Essien Women Supporters Union

9. Manuel Agogo Women Supporters Union

10. Kwadwo Asamoah Women Supporters Union

11. Sulley Ali Muntari Women Supporters Union

12. Andre Ayew Women Supporters Union

13. Baffour Gyan Women Supporters Union

14. Bernard Yao Kumordzi Women Supporters Union

15. Ahmed Apiamah Barusso Women Supporters Union

16. Abdul Fatawu Dauda Women Supporters Union

17. Nana Akwesi Asare Women Supporters Union

18. Eric Addo Women Supporters Union

19. Alhansan Illiasu Women Supporters Union

20. Quincy Owusu-Abeyie Women Supporters Union

21. Harrison Afful Women Supporters Union

22. Richard Kingson Women Supporters Union

23. Hamidu Draman Women Supporters Union.

These women supporters unions can be found in every home in Ghana today. And it was their singing, dancing and artistic antics alone that provided the necessary energy for the Black Stars to die for the nation. Any challenger?

Closing ceremony
Ghana has succeeded in proving to the entire world through the Africa Cup of Nations that Africa is a continent of beautiful cultural heritage. The simple but profound closing ceremony was exceptional in the history of the tournament. Only one person could have taken the trophy to the podium to be handed over to the winning team. But this simple act was dramatized with four solid bodybuilders a.k.a macho men, carrying an innocent pretty little girl like a huge queen mother in a palanquin was fabulous.

The smiling sweet “black angel” was adorned in royal ornaments of gold and colourful kente headgear with traditional touch. The multiple fontonfron divine drummers stirred the foundation of African culture and the Egyptian champions could not help but to try their own hands on the drums and dancing like ancient Pharohs. When their floating spirits were appeased, they solemnly and respectfully collected back the magnificent sparkling trophy they brought from Egypt from the fatherly hands of the President of the Republic of Ghana, H.E.J.A. Kufuor.

Fellow country men and women, even if Ghana could not fulfill the goal of “Host and Win” dream, the Local Organising Committee (LOC) has done the nation proud. The tournament has elevated Ghana to the zenith of World football pyramid. There is no country that is worth its name in the world today can say she has not heard of a country called Ghana in West Africa.

What must be done now as a nation is not to cry over spilt milk or engage in blame game. We must admit our little, little organisational short falls such as accreditations, ticketing and the potato-like fields of our magnificent stadia. The current Black Stars must be maintained and sustained so that they can remain in form at all times. There is a need to inject fresh blood of first class strikers into the team. As for technical and medical aspects of the team, I leave to the experts. If we do our home work very well, use creative visualisation techniques and petition God to be our Guide, come 2010, Ghana can win both the African Cup Nations in Angola and the World Cup in South Africa at ago. Remember that he who laughs last…