56 years as a Republic: What does it mean for us?

It has been 56 years since Ghana gained Republican status on July 1, 1960, after it had gained independence from the British on March 6, 1957.

Becoming a Republic meant that Ghana was no longer going to be governed by the Queen of England through her Governor General, as was the case after Ghana had gained independence from colonial rule.

Indeed, then Prime Minister Dr Kwame Nkrumah became Ghana’s first President after it became a Republic.

Becoming a Republic buttressed Dr Nkrumah’s famous statement delivered at the Old Polo grounds on the eve of independence: “....that the Black man is capable of managing his own affairs.”

However, the road since July 1, 1960 has  been tortuous, although anytime Ghana has gone down through various coup d’états, it has tried to rise again by returning to democracy and civilian rule.

The coups have been a major setback to Ghana’s economic progress for over five decades because anytime there is a coup, all systems break down and have to be restarted.

For over two decades now, however, there has been no scuttling of the governance system, which has boosted commerce, development and generally social well-being.

We may have taken so long to get to where we are as a nation, but the sovereignty of Ghana will not be complete if we fail to take care of all our social, economic, financial and development needs.

It is time for us to showcase what we as a nation can do for ourselves and contribute to the world economy. 

But all that starts with good and stable governance.

That is why the Daily Graphic urges everyone to contribute to the total success of this year’s elections. We can only win when we all put our minds and strength to the elections and do all in our power to contribute to free and peaceful polls.

Ghana has been a Republic for 56 years, a mature age, which suggests that we must be doing a lot of the things for which we have been seeking external help for years.

The country has been blessed with precious minerals, crops and a very rich human resource which is the envy of many nations. What we need is good leadership, hard work and efficient management of our resources and we will cease going to other nations with cup in hand for freebies.

Let us, therefore, vote for people who have the nation at heart and are desperate to take the country to places, to transform the lives of the people.

That is why the race for the Flagstaff House in January 2017 should not be a do-or-die affair.

As President John Mahama said, our battle cry, even going into Election 2016, should be against poverty and underdevelopment.

The Daily Graphic urges all Ghanaians — politicians and the electorate — to bear in mind the development and future of the country when they enter the ballot box to cast their vote.

While we strive to achieve the best for our country, the Daily Graphic wishes all a Happy Republic Day.