Ghana Golden Jubilee – 2007
At long last, Ghana’s much talked about Golden Jubilee Anniversary has come to an end. And Ghana, our beloved mother earth, is ready for economic takeoff.
Beautiful people of Ghana, Tuesday March 6, 2007 marked precisely the 50th birthday of the political independence of our mother earth. And the Day was celebrated in the most spectacular way with red, gold and green colors, never seen in the Plaza de la Independencia in the political history of the country.
Not even the day of the proclamation of independence by the first president of the first Republic of Ghana, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah on March 6, 1957, could march what happened yesterday in terms of pure human beings who invaded the Plaza of the Black Star. and its surroundings to witness the event. I was there myself. And if it wasn’t, I wouldn’t have said it. When I got out and saw the ravens scatter behind the plaza practically out to sea, I was mesmerized.
Then, the crowd listening and watching the proceedings on a large electronic screen with huge speakers mounted on the brown grass along the castle path leading to the seat of government, I was spellbound. I couldn’t work up the courage to go around the four corners outside the square, because what I saw in the two corners spoke for itself. It was just fantastic! There is no need to exaggerate. Seeing is believing, dear reader!
As for yesterday only, if not every day (this article was written on Wednesday, March 7, 2007), I can speculate that the hands of God physically descended and showered blessings upon our nation. Nature itself was extremely kind to us. As a loving mother nursing her newborn baby, the weather was ripe for the occasion. The sun’s rays, so soothing, smiled at the parade contingents instead of burning them. Breezes from the nearby Atlantic Ocean flowed instead of blowing and gently massaged the smooth faces of the flag-waving spectators.
The arena of Plaza de la Independencia was majestically colourful, peaceful and elegant. But a certain woman nearly found herself in trouble when she challenged security agencies as to why she wasn’t allowed to pass through internal parade-only parameters. This happened in front of the last pavilion at the Osu end of the plaza. Why do some people not willingly obey simple instructions for the sake of law and order? Even accredited journalists were restricted to certain areas and had no choice but to obey. How much more ordinary viewer?
I also saw a Nana in her stately kente cloth, who arrived very late after the chairman had inspected the guards. And with her umbrella stand, she walked from one pavilion to another, looking for a place to sit. That was the fruit of delay. When some of our noble thought leaders are invited and asked to sit at specific times at functions, they choose to behave as if the event is taking place in their own palace. Even if an event is being held in your bedroom, you must respect your guests’ time. Unfortunately, it seemed that Nana had to return home without witnessing the memorable occasion. She served him well.
We should all follow the example of that incident so that as we start down the road to the next 50 years of Ghana’s independence, as a nation, we should strive to change our concept of time for the better. As Vice President of Ghana, HE Alhaji Aliu Mahama advised the nation on Friday, March 2, 2007, when he ordered and handed over the keys to 46 Cinema Vans imported by the Government to the Ministry of Information and National Guidance in Accra. That day, Alhaji Aliu Mahama did not mince words when he postulated: “There is no such thing as ‘African time.’ Therefore, we must learn to do the right thing at the right time and stop deluding ourselves with that misconception.” of the ‘African hour’. All mankind has a time, period!
Respected reader, truly, truly, I tell you that yesterday was a triumphant day in the contrasting political history of Ghana and Africa. The entire African continent attended our Golden Jubilee Celebrations. Europe was there; America was there; Asia was there and others too.
If we take Africa, for example, the African superpower, Nigeria, was not just there as a passive spectator. Indeed, in addition to Ghana itself as the host nation and commander-in-chief of affairs, Nigeria was the star on the stage of the celebrations. Chief Olusagu Obasanjo was the supreme Guest of Honor and the only one awarded Ghana’s highest national state honour. Any challenger?
Then our famous Zimbabwe was even the first African country to descend from the heavens to our land on earth. Our closest neighbors, including Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire and Togo, could not afford to miss out on the action. From afar, countries like South Africa, Rwanda, Tanzania, Namibia, Mozambique, DR Congo, Malawi, Mali, Equatorial Guinea, Cape Verde, Botswana, Liberia, Gabon, Benin and Guinea Bissau, to name a few, were in attendance. In fact, Ghana was like a basket in which all the African nations over 50 were put together like eggs and carefully kept for safekeeping. Security was not an issue and all participating countries were protected like the pituitary gland in the head of a fish.
Ghana, without any doubt, did everything humanly possible and proved to be the star of black Africa. Ghana is the golden nation of Africa and celebrated the first anniversary of the golden jubilee of black Africa for the rest to emulate. Ghana lived up to the praise of the anniversary’s overall theme, which is: “Defending African Excellence.” However, there is still room for improvement. As human beings, we must be humble and realistic that perfection is not achieved in a single incarnation.
The parade itself shone in the very show department! Great Britain, the former colonial masters of Ghana, showed that they could not, in fact, be left out of a celebration of this historic nature. Thus, in addition to the Duke of Kent, Prince Edward, who represented the Queen of England, a contingent from the Army Band of Scottish Pipes and Drums played the role of alpha and omega in the parade and stole the show. Their appearance on traditional attractions made them stand out with their flowing music.
Officers from the Ghana Armed Forces Central Band Mass Band, Police Band and Navy Band, were immaculate in appearance and their traditional tunes were soul-stirring. Some lovely ladies around our pavilion couldn’t resist the urge to start beating each other on the back as soon as the flutes began to play. Some of them were even dancing to the National Anthem instead of standing at attention. The entire contingent of security agencies marched with precision. It seems that the female contingents marched more gracefully and with some clowning or flair such that whenever they turned corners they spontaneously sang for them. It was great holding it!
Contingents from the Ghana Education Service, consisting of the Achimota School Army, Christian Methodist High School Navy, St. Mary’s High School Air Force, and St. Thomas Aquinas High School Police, as well as as a contingent from the Armed Forces Technical Secondary School they were just great to behold when they marched. I wonder if these young officer cadets from various high schools could be supported and trained in some type of volunteer organization to serve the nation in times of need. What happens to you when you graduate from second cycle intuitions? Is their movement monitored to see how the nation can best harness their talents?
As for the Ablekuma-South Subway Basic School Contingents, the Ashiedu-Keteke Subway, the Ayawaso Subway and the Okaikwei Subway, as well as the very tender gymnastic youths, they must be commended to the blue skies. . Because being on your feet from the morning until the time the event ended in the afternoon is no small feat. I don’t know what incentive package is put together for them, but they need to be nationally motivated to instill in them that patriotism goes hand in hand with service rewards. Remember the adage: A nation that fails to reward its patriots and heroes is not what…?
As a nation, we shouldn’t just be quick to condemn people when they’re wrong. We must also learn to praise people when they deserve praise. I wish to take this golden opportunity to congratulate the Accra city authorities for the wonderful job they have done in beautifying our capital city. If I compare Accra with Singapore, which is the cleanest city in the world, we still have a few kilometers to go. But what was achieved in a short span of three months before the Golden Jubilee on March 6, 2007, if it could be sustained, Accra will be a city to visit in the world one day. I congratulate the mayor of the city of Accra and his team of workers.
Perhaps the Ghanaian city authorities can learn some strategies from Singapore. In Singapore, street decorations are supported by major institutions, organizations and companies located along various streets and highways in the city. What is done is that during the great festive occasions such as Christmas, Easter, Ramadan and others, the decoration of the streets becomes a competition between these companies that are strategically located along ceremonial roads and streets. Then the Singapore Tourism Board offers prizes for the best decorated street during a particular festive occasion.
With this strategy, all the institutions are motivated and eager to make their street win the prizes for the best decorated street in the city. That’s why when you go to Singapore during any of these festive occasions, you’ll only open your mouth until someone comes along and tells you to shut it up. Singapore has four main festivals celebrated by various religious bodies namely Christian, Muslim, Hindu and Buddhist more or less. And these festivals happen intermittently, this is one of the reasons why Singapore is always beautiful. In fact, at some point, the decoration competition between religious institutions becomes so intense that the city becomes even brighter and brighter with lights at night. With this, the entire city virtually becomes a golden paradise on earth. Those who have been to heaven before will know what I am talking about here.
In fact, the tourists who flock to Singapore every day of the year don’t sleep at night. They will just be wandering, wandering, wandering from street to street and admiring the beauty of the street decorations. I suggest that the Ghanaian city authorities partner with the Ghana Tourism Board and adopt the Singapore strategy for the beautification of our cities.
Today Wednesday March 7, 2007 marks the first Day of the next 50 years of Ghana and the celebration of the centenary of our nationality. Only God should be our guide and source of inspiration. Shall we take note of the following African proverb? “The person who takes the first step in front of you is not easy to reach.” Therefore, once he enters the path, there should be no turning back. The sky should be the limit for Ghanaians as we look forward to celebrating the country’s centenary in March 2057. For now, let’s lift our chests and say, “Well done, Ghana!