Happy Independence Day Ghana
By Madi Jobarteh
Today is the 68th Independence Day of Ghana.
The theme of the anniversary is, “Reflect, Review, Reset,” emphasizing the importance of looking back on the nation’s journey, assessing its current state, and planning for a brighter future.
The Ghana government said the celebrations would be modest in view of the prevailing economic challenges thus the need to cut cost.
In his speech, President Mahama justified his decision thus,
“A few years ago, the previous administration decided to rotate the hosting of Independence Day celebrations among the regions of our country, an initiative intended to bring the celebration closer to all our people.
Unfortunately, this year, we are constrained to interrupt the celebration’s rotation in the regions and hold it in a scaled-down version here at the Presidency’s forecourt instead of the traditional Black Star Square. This is a necessary step considering the economic crisis our nation is currently experiencing.
Large-scale celebrations often come with significant logistics, security, and public infrastructure costs, which strain the national budget.
By reducing the scale of the event, we wish to demonstrate a commitment to fiscal responsibility and efficient use of limited resources.
Fiscal prudence has become imperative for navigating the severe economic crisis that has recently confronted our country.
Nonetheless, this scaled-down celebration does not diminish the importance and significance of this occasion in any way. Ghana’s independence is the single most important event in our history, as it set us on the path to nationhood. “
This is the voice of responsible leadership filed with patriotism and sense of duty.
African leaders and their technocrats must be serious. They must not only be worried at the dire socioeconomic conditions in their countries but also we cannot ignore the precarious world in which we are. At a time when every nation and region are prioritizing themselves, Africans cannot sit there thinking that aid and hope will solve our problems just like that.
This most endowed continent should have produced the most advanced and powerful nations. It is therefore a severe indictment that Africa remains the weakest, most marginalized and the wretched of the earth. This is all thanks to the grossly irresponsible, corrupt and uncaring leaders and their technocrats across the continent who continue to mismanage our resources and our lives and future.
Just look at the situation in Guinea Bissau, Cameroun, Gabon, Togo or Uganda just to mention a few where leaders just impose themselves by force of arms and the willful flouting of laws on the people.
Every African country you goto, you will find most of the citizens are below the poverty line! Is this normal? Yet every country is said to be highly indebted while taxes are high with public officials and politicians being the richest and driving the biggest vehicles and pampered with most outlandish allowances, benefits, privileges, incentives and immunities.
For example, Gambian ministers are not only driving 12 million dalasi vehicles but they even have two SUVs to themselves and family! They do not only fly business class but are frequently in the air more than necessary! Meanwhile, even to dig a well the government runs to donors for funding! Is this ok?
Africans. Wake up!
