Appreciate how far we have come as a country—President Mahama to Ghanaians

Former President John Dramani Mahama has joined millions of Ghanaians to celebrate the country’s 61st Independence Anniversary.

Mr Mahama is currently out of the country to lead a Commonwealth Observer Group to monitor the Sierra Leonean elections slated for March 7, this year.

In a solidarity post on Facebook, the former president urged all Ghanaians to use the 61st Independence Anniversary to “appreciate how far we have come as a country” and to trigger in us, “a high sense of nationalism, patriotism and love for humankind that will contribute meaningfully to national growth and prosperity”.

The 61st Independence Anniversary held at the Black Star Square in Accra is on the theme: “Ghana Beyond Aid”.

The Special Guest of Honour for the occasion was the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Mr Mohammed Buhari.

Below is the full statement

I join my fellow Ghanaians, both home and all over the world, to appreciate how far we have come as a country, 61 years after Independence.
On March 06, 1957, we gained freedom from the shackles of colonialism. That precious freedom brought hope and confidence to all Ghanaians, Sub-Saharan Africans and indeed the entire Pan African world.

May the commemoration of our Independence Day continue to trigger in us, a high sense of nationalism, patriotism and love for humankind that will contribute meaningfully to national growth and prosperity.

Happy Independence Day.

God bless our homeland Ghana.