INDEPENDENCE DAY AT CAPE COAST

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With the dawn of the 54th Ghanaian Independence Day, the Central Region Celebrations were held in the chillingly ironic backdrop of Cape Coast Castle.

Several eyebrows were raised in the organisation of the event in the heat of the early morning, particularly as young children were forced to stand in the glaring sun of the day for several hours. The first aid team were under pressure with an estimated 50 people fainting due to heat exhaustion during the ceremony. 

Addressing various officials and the students of local schools in the sweltering morning heat, the Central Regional Minister Hon. Ama Beyinwa-Does' message to the public was one of praise for the stability of the region but pressure for progress economically.

 Highly critical of the facts and figures being played around about the progress of Ghana as a nation; “the acclaimed per capita income is not evenly distributed and our social infrastructure remains largely undeveloped”, it is clear that the feeling is one of self criticism and a determination to drive Ghana into a bright future.  With 2011 declared as an action year by His Excellency the President of the Republic of Ghana, and the Initiation of the “Better Ghana Agenda” program the future is set to be a productive one. With investments in key infrastructure, agriculture and agric business and the development of oil and gas Industries, there is a positive outlook for the improvement of socio-economic conditions for all Ghanaians and perhaps encourage more national investment.

 

The Ministers address was aimed at the young people marching in the morning parade. With encouragement to “spearhead” the evolution of attitude within the Ghanaian workforce, to be disciplined and dedicated in their work and general life. “Negative tendencies have eaten deep into the social fabric of the Nation”, she said urging a change in attitude. She stressed the motto of the celebrations, “Discipline and Hard work, Essential prerequisites for a Better Ghana” criticising the attitudes of the Ghanaian public. She appealed to the people to leave the practices of Bribery, Corruption, Lateness, Tribalism, Nepotism, Degradation and indiscriminate Disposal of waste, in the past. Urging the Ghanaian youth to drive ahead with a commitment to discipline and professional determination to succeed as a nation on a united front through co-operation and an increase in productivity.  This according to the minister is achieved by hard work, study, and dedication and will lead to reaping of many benefits and the opportunities provided by both Government and Parents for the future workforce of Ghana.

The theme for hard work and discipline was emphasised   by the giving and receiving of awards for the disciplined practice of marching. The Mayor of Cape Coast Anthony Egyir Aikins, and the Member of Parliament for Cape Coast Ebo Barton-Odro all honoured the children's self-discipline and hard work by presenting them with Certificates of Merit in the closing ceremony for the event. Further highlighting the theme of the Celebrations. 

As an emerging country Ghana is the success story of sub Saharan Africa, particularly in light of the chaos and political unrest of Egypt and Libya in recent weeks. Nevertheless, the harrowing question remains; does Ghana live up to the vision that the founding fathers had of a free, united, and prosperous nation?

-Laura White (Projects Abroad)