Today marks Ghana’s 65^th independence anniversary, hurray!!!

Ghana gained independence from British Colonial rule on 6^th March, 1957.

The day is therefore observed annually as a holiday in remembrance of the struggles our founding fathers had to go through to secure independence from the colonial masters.

The occasion is also used to honour the founding fathers of the nation led by the Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah. The rest are; Ebenezer Ako-Adjei Edward Akufo-Addo, Joseph Boakye Danquah, Emmanuel Obetsebi-Lamptey and William Ofori-Atta.

Known as the Big Six, they were all kingpins of the United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC) which was formed on August 4, 1947 to champion the quest for political independence.

However, disagreements between the rest and Dr. Nkrumah over when independence should be granted resulted in his ceding to form the Convention Peoples Party (CPP) in June, 1949.

History has it that whereas the UGCC wanted ‘self-government in the shortest possible time’, Dr Nkrumah’s CPP wanted ‘self-government now’. This path, he pursued and was able to secure independence accordingly.

Therefore, 65 years ago, Dr Kwame Nkrumah made the famous declaration "the African is capable of managing their own affairs…Ghana our beloved country is free forever.”

In keeping with this statement, succeeding governments have over the years, used various themes to mark the day in a bid to ensure that we are, indeed, able to manage our own affairs.

A look back at ten of these themes in our recent history, in comparison with how far we have come as a nation, is therefore not out of place.

This year’s (2022) independence celebration is being held in the Central Region under the theme “Working together, bouncing back better.”

It is the hope of many Ghanaians that we actually bounce back. Otherwise, the status quo does not give much hope. This is because the refrain from interviews with a cross section of Ghanaians as part of JoyNews’ Living Standard Series is that, “times are hard.”

2021- No theme?

Unfortunately, due to the COVID- 19 pandemic, government thought it prudent to depart from the trade mark pump and pageantry to mark the day.

The usual March Past Parade at the Blackstar Square by school children and personnel from the security services was equally suspended in adherence to the social distancing protocol associated with the pandemic.

In its place, a short special ceremony was held at the forecourt of the Jubilee House. It was attended by President Akufo-Addo, Vice President Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia, selected personnel of the security services, Ministers of state, government officials and invited dignitaries.

Consequently, it does seem no theme was selected to mark the day. That’s because Google has not been able to help me in this regard.

2020- Consolidating our Gains

We planned to consolidate our gains but COVID- 19 took everything away. That is why we are where we are today, according to President Akufo Addo and his appointees.

2019- Celebrating Peace and Unity

We celebrate the peace and unity we enjoy as a nation. But with incessant complaints on the parts of the masses, persons with institutional and historical knowledge are cautioning that if things do not change, we could go back to the days when coup d’états were rife in Ghana.

2018- Ghana Beyond Aid

We tried to go beyond aid by instituting various measures that would make us achieve this bold step. However, evidence on the ground is that we are very far from this vision.

2017- Mobilizing for Ghana's Future

Government is still trying to mobilise but the people are saying that they have had enough with paying taxes. Therefore, government’s attempt to introduce an Electronic Transaction Levy (e-levy) which will mobilize money from all of us, including the ‘Kayayoo’, is being protested vehemently.

2016- Investing in the Youth for Ghana's Transformation

The youth are still waiting for the ‘Youstart’ programme that government says would provide startup capital for them to become entrepreneurs. That is because as noted above, the e-levy is in limbo.

2015- Achieving Transformation Through National Unity

As for the national unity, we have it. The various tribes marry among themselves and students from various parts of the country live peacefully in senior high schools and universities without any conflicts. What is left is the transformation.

2014- Building a Better and Prosperous Ghana through patriotism and National Unity

As stated above the national unity is intact. The better and prosperous Ghana is what everybody is now looking forward to. It is the wish of many a Ghanaian that it will be soon.

2013- Investing in The Youth For Ghana's Transformation

‘Na investment no wo hi?’ where is the investment?  is the question most Ghanaian youth are asking government. It is the hope of the teeming unemployed youth that they will secure jobs after school to live a decent life.

However, most feel so frustrated that I overheard some in a conversation, “our colonial masters chained us and took us to America, now if we get the opportunity, we will send our own chains and offer to be shipped into slavery.”

Any wonder that Ghanaian students studying in embattled Ukraine are saying that, having been evacuated to neighbouring Hungary, they prefer to stay there, instead of coming home?

“I prefer to suffer in a Bentley than in the scorching sun” one of them said during a discussion on Joy FM’s Ghana Connect progrmme on Friday.

President Akufo-Addo assures

However, President Akufo-Addo has some words of consolation on the occasion of our 65^th independence anniversary.

“We have a story. Ours is a story of hope! Working together, Bouncing back together.”

In a tweet on February 19, the President urged all of us to work together as a team with a common purpose for the development of the country.

We can only keep our fingers crossed with the hope that our President will be vindicated with regard to his promise of a bounce back.

Happy Independence Anniversary.