GHANA @ 55, STILL STRUGGLING

55 years ago, our forefathers struggled and toiled hard to build this nation for us so that we could call it our own. But what do we see now a country that is widely respected for its human and natural resources and democratic governance but is not worth dying for.

As Ghanaians we should live in peace, love and harmony but partisan politics has divided us. The most interesting part of our lives is we all profess to be religious – Christians, Muslims, traditionalists and others. Yet our religious beliefs do not teach us to be divided.

I believe the Bible and the Koran does not teach us to be at each other’s throat; these scriptures teaches us to be at peace with all men and women of goodwill.

Today in Ghana, because we are divided by partisan politics every thing that our political opponent does is seen as “evil”. Even if we belong in the same political party and we don’t believe in what our political leaders are doing we seem not bold enough to say it. It appears that when we stand up and say that what our allies are doing is wrong we will be called the “black sheep” of the party.

At 55 years let us ask ourselves that if Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, the man who led our independence struggle were to be around how would he feel?

We pretend to love each other but deep within our hearts we hate one another. We should remember we are one people with a common destiny and we have to live together as one.

Our nation is blessed with gold, timber, cocoa, Shea butter, bauxite, manganese, oil etc but we still our country looks like a 30 year old nation. In fact we are crowing.

Before any major project is fully exhausted in this country unless we seek the help of foreign partners. We have been borrowing from the outside world for every single project in this country, 

WHY?

What legacy are our elders leaving for us the young ones? Is it a country that owes other foreign countries in which we have used our nation as collateral? Where would we call the land of our birth after our political leaders are no more?

Ghana and Malaysia had their independence the same year but today our country is no where near Malaysia. Our leaders don’t care a bit about building a formidable country for us the young ones; what they care about is their own interests.

Abraham Lincoln, one of the past Presidents of American once said, “If you want to know the true character of a man give him power.”

This statement is very true; someone whom we adore will forget about where he came from just because he has power. Indeed power corrupts.

Lying and praise singing has become so common in our country these days and it is gaining the status of a desirable quality. One thing we forget as Ghanaians is that false praises usually precede the downfall of heroes.

In our parliament today, some honourable members as old as my father who should know better will be dancing to the tune of their political party even if they don’t like the song being played.

In life it is often said “life begins at forty” but at age 55 we still behave as toddlers. Every thing about us is partisan.

Mahatma Gandhi, the architect of India’s independence said, “The only way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service to mankind.”

Because of partisan politics and cheap propaganda which is characterised by insincerity, mischief and greed we keep changing our educational system as often as we change our phones. This makes poor people’s children suffer because the rich and their children are having better education outside the country.

Adolf Hitler said: “Through clever and constant application of propaganda, people can be made to see paradise as hell and vice versa, to consider the most wretched sort life as paradise”.

At 55 years, we should go back to the year 1957 and reflect on the speech that Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah gave at the old polo grounds on the eve of the birth of this country and ask ourselves whether these statements have really affected our state of being as a nation both politically and socially.

The media as the fourth estate of the realm has failed this country totally because of partisan politics. 

What we think of is our selfish and political interest and not the human interest. From our news to our political shows, it is all directed to the same direction.

Today because of politics we have forgotten about our Ghanaian values and courtesies. There is no respect on our airwaves just because after insulting “Mr. A or Ms. B” there is an amount of money that will be given to these so-called party spokespersons.

Because of politics we talk anyhow to our elders. Political opponents do not have to be enemies. If we don’t agree with someone politically it does not give us the license to insult the person.

At age 55 our politics is seen as politics of insults. As the Bible says the greatest commandment is to Love our neighbours as ourselves. This should be the song that we will be singing through out this election year and not to bestow insults on each other.

I believe some people will see my piece as too biting but, hey we should be bold to call a spade a spade; not a big spoon. I did not write this to please any political party or any individual. Let all rise and together help to move this country forward because this is the only country we can call our own; the land of our birth.

God bless our homeland Ghana, And make our nation great and strong.

Hope to see a new Ghana devoid of “Pull Him Down” (PHD) spirit and politics of insult. Let all come together to build a better Ghana and we should remember as a country that “Together we stand divided we fall”.

Happy 55th anniversary

Ekow Aidoo
paanyan7@gmail.com