Our deeds must reflect Diamond Jubilee
Come next Monday, Ghana will celebrate its 60th birthday as a nation, having gained independence from British colonial rule on March 6, 1957. The question on the lips of many, however, is: Have we been able to manage our affairs properly since we gained independence?
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Many are not enthused about the celebration because, to them, there is nothing to show for it. To such people, it does not speak well of us that despite being the second largest exporter of cocoa in the world, we have not done much as a country to popularise cocoa to make Ghana the true cocoa nation that it should be. Apart from its use in chocolate and other confectioneries, cocoa is used in many lotions and body creams, medicines, as well as beverages.
History has it that the Malaysians came for our palm fruits and are now making wonders with it, while we have not added any value to the plant, which is mainly in its rudimentary stage here.
Another question on the lips of these pessimists is: Did we go or did we come? as they believe we would have fared better under colonial rule in terms of infrastructural development.
Others, however, believe that the bane of our development has been the lack of continuity in our developmental agenda, with each succeeding government trying to rubbish the agenda of the predecessor in order to discontinue the process.
The numerous abandoned projects that dot our communities are a testimony to this challenge.
Again, Ghana is yet to attain the 30 per cent critical mass of women in decision-making positions at all levels. For instance, presently women are under-represented in our Parliament, in spite of evidence from other places that parliaments with more women take up a wider range of issues – including health, education, anti-discrimination and child support.
Meanwhile, to other people, Ghana has come a long way, having chalked up many successes as a country, although there still remain some challenges we need to surmount.
To them, the theme for the anniversary: “Ghana, 60 years on: Mobilising for the future”, is apt, as the nation certainly needs to mobilise for the future.
Certainly, we cannot afford to let things continue the way they are. The Mirror hopes that the actions and inaction which led to the setting up of a committee to probe allegations of malfeasance after the Golden Jubilee will not happen again, this time around.
It is heart-warming that this time the government is not going to fund the celebrations and expects the private sector to bankroll and support the anniversary for a successful programme.
It’s time we refrained from acts, either covertly or overtly, to worsen and widen the already deep and unhealthy political partisanship in the country. We must make conscious efforts to uproot this canker which only seeks to serve the selfish, parochial interests of just a section of the people.
As the saying goes, a divided house cannot stand. Sixty years being the official age for retirement should bestow on the nation some sense of maturity.
Indeed, our strength lies in unity and it is our expectation that we all work hard, uphold integrity, accountability and transparency in the use of national resources for the good of all.
And, while we are at it, The Mirror wishes all a happy Diamond Jubilee.