While we wave our flags and focus on what makes Ghana great this weekend, remember Dr. Kwame Nkrumah's mantra - "The black man is capable of managing his own affairs". It's 59 years since that statement. Are we living up to it?
Independence, it denoted both political and economic freedom. On the eve of independence, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah delivered his famous speech which to this day is played especially on Independence Day celebrations. In the speech he declared "The black man is capable of managing his own affairs", and it was time to prove it to the rest of the world. 59 years down the development road what can we show in response to Nkrumah’s mantra?
In my opinion, Ghana has done tremendously well in living up to the mantra, though we haven’t fully exploited our potential as a people, there is still much room for improvement. As we celebrate another year of independence and prosperity, we should always remember the words of Kwame Nkrumah to be an independent state.
Ghana has enjoyed enviable peace and stability; one of commendation for the good people of the country. Certainly it has not been all peaceful after independence, the nation has had its fair share of political instability; a result of coup d’états.
However under the 4th republican dispensation which has lasted over 20 years now, we have seen the desired peace, religious and ethnic tolerance, as well as political stability with power changing from one political party to the other.
See also: General Afrifa's claims on the 1966 coup
With the rule of law in place, that is ensuring the separation of powers, press freedom and decentralization, certainly this nation is on the right path and has really proven to the world that if given the chance we can also manage our affairs with or without the help of foreign involvements.
Ghana is indeed telling a story to the rest of the world that "We are capable of managing our own affairs" but has Ghana been independent after the 1966 coup which saw the overthrow of Dr Kwame Nkrumah by the likes of General A. A Afrifa, Major-Gen Ankrah and Colonel Emmanuel Kwasi Kotoka?
Ghana became the first country in Africa to provide free education and medical care for her people. Two more universities, one at Cape Coast and the other in Kumasi were established to bring the total number of universities to three.
The well-planned network of roads, an international airport in Accra and one of the highest standard of living in Africa are achievements that the average Ghanaian could be proud of.
But more need to be done.
My beloved country after 59 years have been bedevilled with erratic power crisis popularly called 'Dumsor'.
Ghana is now a country at a high risk of debt distress.
Economy and oil sector
Governments have increased the debt stock from GH¢9.5 billion in 2008 to some GH¢99.0 billion currently.
In dollar terms, government has, therefore, borrowed some US$37 billion in 7 years! In contrast, President Kwame Nkrumah borrowed the equivalent of some $2.5 billion between 1957 and 1966 and President Kufuor borrowed some $5billion between 2001 and 2008. Reckless borrowing has led us to a debt stock that is 73% of GDP, which is beyond the threshold of debt sustainability.
The importance of natural resources to the growth of a country’s economy cannot be underestimated. Ghana’s economy since independence has undoubtedly been supported partly by some of these natural resources.
We have depended heavily on donor partners like the International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank and other international agencies to grow our economy.
Ghana's dream of joining the ranks of global oil exporting countries became a reality in December 2010 as the nation pumped her first oil at the Jubilee Oilfield at Cape Three Points in the Western Region. Is our oil discovery a blessing or a curse? This question has no answer. Where are the generated funds from the oil industry?
Agriculture and Industry
Agriculture and industry, which should be the key drivers of the economy, are doing very badly. Last year, agriculture as a sector grew by only 0.04%. This was because crops generally recorded negative growth of -1.7% and cocoa declined in growth from 4.3% in 2014 to 3.0% in 2015.
Corruption
The claim of the fight against corruption is further undermined by the fact that the Independent Governance Institutions mandated to perform this function have been starved of funds despite some efforts made to fight the canker.
Press freedom
Ghana has a vibrant press that plays a key role in political discourse and national identity. The news media have given voice to popular campaigns for independence, national unity, development, and democracy establishing a distinguished history of political activism for Ghanaian journalism.
Journalism plays a crucial role in contemporary processes of democracy in Ghana, providing a common sphere of dialogue among diverse political and economic interests as well as the voices of popular culture.
Independence Day should not only be seen as freedom from cruel political rule that was deemed slavery but freedom from the threats of extreme poverty and hunger and for that matter the need to ensure development.
There is no form of slavery more devastating than been slavery to chronic poverty. The celebration of Independence Day reflecting on the anomalies of the economy and providing lasting solutions should remain at the top of issues. This country needs to rise up and cause a real change.