Let's embrace change - Prez Mahama urges Ghanaians
Addressing the 56th Independence anniversary parade by the Ghana Armed Forces, other security services and schools at the Black Star Square in Accra yesterday, the President said: “we must work together as a team; we must remember that the words we speak matter.”
The colourful anniversary event was attended by the Vice-President, Mr Kwesi Bekoe Amissah-Arthur; former President Jerry John Rawlings; the Speaker of Parliament, Mr Edward Doe Adjaho; the Chief Justice, Mrs Justice Georgina Wood; members of the Council of State, Members of Parliament, members of the Diplomatic Corps, traditional rulers and a cross-section of the public.
President Mahama said governance was a shared responsibility and that although the government could provide the necessary social infrastructure and incentives, “unless we take collective ownership of the challenges that face us, unless we demonstrate a strong desire and an unflinching commitment to be part of the solution, most of our efforts will come to nothing”.
He said the country’s advancement effort could only be possible “if we speak of success, envision success and work toward realising that vision”.
He said although there would always be those who would want to maintain the status quo, even if they did not like the world they lived in, it was easier for them to complain than to make the effort to change it.
“And then there will always be those who want miraculous change; they want everything to be perfect by tomorrow and when it is not, they decide they are already bored with the whole process and want no part of it,” he said.
President Mahama expressed grave concern over the negative attitude among a majority of Ghanaians which, in the long run, affected the well-being of the people.
“We cannot throw plastic waste into our drainage systems and expect not to be confronted with floods when it rains; we cannot continue to drive recklessly on our roads and hope that ours will be a society free of vehicular accidents; people cannot pay and collect bribes and hope that somehow public services will automatically improve; we cannot create markets for the purchase of stolen items and expect that crime in our society will cease by itself. Change does not come easily,” he said.
The President spoke against the situation where time and energy were wasted on petty political squabbles,saying, “What we are doing when we devote our time, attention and media to these distractions is that we undermine the progress of our own nation, a nation that was built with the blood, tears and sweat of our forefathers and mothers.”
He asked Ghanaians to use the occasion to celebrate Ghana and celebrate themselves as Ghanaians and feel proud of and express love to everyone and everything that had brought the country that far.
“I urge you all to reflect on how you would want to be remembered by the next generation. It does not matter who you are, where you come from, who your parents were, what you do right now, what your position in society is,” President Mahama said, adding, “You have something to offer that will help move this country forward to its next anniversary. It may just be a little change in your attitude to work; it may be an offer of help, however small, to others who need it. It may be the act of mobilising for community action or volunteering at a hospital or clinic.”
“The reason Ghana is seen the world over as Africa’s shining star is that while other nations have been engaged in ethnic warfare and endless battles for
power between opposing political parties, tearing away at their people’s morale and crumbling what little security is left in their societies; while those nations
are investing themselves in the causes and concerns of individuals, groups and factions, Ghana is busy building institutions to reinforce our democracy and help further the application of the rule of law,” the President said.
President Mahama paid tribute to the founding fathers of the nation, saying, “Even today significant parts of the national infrastructure we still enjoy are as a result of the vision of Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah.”
Story:Timothy Gobah & Musah Yahaya Jafaru
