By 
At last, Ghana’s much talked about Golden Jubilee Anniversary has come to an end. And Ghana, our beloved mother earth, is poised for economic takeoff.
Beautiful people of Ghana, Tuesday March 6, 2007 marked precisely the 50th anniversary of the political independence of our mother earth. And the Day was celebrated in the most spectacular way of 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 what happened yesterday in terms of pure human beings who invaded the Plaza de la Black Star. and its surroundings to witness the event. I myself was there. And if it wasn’t, I wouldn’t have said it. When I came out and saw the crows scatter behind the plaza practically out to sea, I was mesmerized.
Then I was spellbound by the crowd listening and watching the proceedings on a large electronic screen with huge speakers mounted on the brown grass along the castle road leading to the seat of government. 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 alone, 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 on 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 relaxing, smiled on the parade contingents instead of burning them. The breeze from the nearby Atlantic Ocean flowed rather than blown and gently massaged the smooth faces of the flag-waving spectators.
The arena of the Plaza de la Independencia was majestically colorful, peaceful and elegant. But a certain woman almost found herself in trouble when she challenged the security agencies as to why she wasn’t allowed to pass through the internal parameters meant solely for the parade. This happened in front of the last pavilion at the Osu end of the plaza. Why don’t some people 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 comply. How much more ordinary spectator?
I also saw a Nana in her majestic kente cloth, who arrived very late after the president had made his inspection of 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 the delay. When some of our noble opinion leaders receive invitations and are 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 taking place in your bedroom, you should respect your guests’ time. Unfortunately, it seemed that Nana had to return home without witnessing the memorable occasion. She served him well.
We all need to follow the example of that incident so that as we begin the road to the next 50 years of Ghana’s independence, we as a nation should strive to change our concept of time for the better. As Ghana’s Vice President, HE Alhaji Aliu Mahama counseled the nation on Friday March 2, 2007, when he ordered and handed over the keys to 46 Government-imported Cine Vans to the Ministry of National Information and Guidance in Accra. That day, Alhaji Aliu Mahama did not mince words when he posited: “There is nothing like ‘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 of humanity 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 bystander. In fact, apart from Ghana itself as the host nation and commander-in-chief of affairs, Nigeria was the protagonist on the stage of the celebrations. Chief Olusagu Obasanjo was the supreme Guest of Honor and the only one to be awarded Ghana’s highest national state honour. Any challenger?
Then our famous Zimbabwe was even the first African country to descend from the skies to our land on earth. Our closest neighbours, including Burkina Faso, the Ivory Coast and Togo, could not afford to be out of 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 present. In fact, Ghana was like a basket in which all the African nations over 50 were gathered together like eggs and carefully stored away 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 for the broad theme of the anniversary, which is: “Upholding 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! Britain, Ghana’s former colonial masters, demonstrated 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 in traditional attractions made them stand out with their flowing music.
The officers of the Ghana Armed Forces Central Band Mass Band, Police Band and Marine Band were immaculate in appearance and their traditional tunes stirred the soul. Some lovely ladies around our pavilion couldn’t resist starting beating their backs as soon as the flutes started playing. Some of them were even dancing to the National Anthem instead of coming to attention. The entire contingent of security agencies marched with precision. It seems that the female contingents marched with more grace and with some antics or flair in such a way that every time they turned corners they spontaneously sang for them. It was great to hold!
The Ghana Education Service contingents, consisting of Army from Achimota School, Navy from Christian Methodist High School, Air Force from St. Mary’s High School and Police from St. Thomas Aquinas High School, as well as as a contingent from the Armed Forces Technical High 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 kind of volunteer organization to serve the nation in times of need. What happens to them when they graduate from the insights of the second cycle? Is their movement being monitored to see how best the nation can harness their talents?
As for the Basic School Contingents of the Ablekuma-South Submetro, the Ashiedu-Keteke Submetro, the Ayawaso Submetro and the Okaikwei Submetro, as well as the very cute young gymnastics, they should be commended to the blue skies. . Because being on your feet from morning to 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 does not reward its patriots and heroes is not what…?
As a nation, we must not only rush to condemn people when they are 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 regards to beautifying our capital city. If I compare Accra to Singapore which is the cleanest city in the world, we still have a few miles 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 big festive occasions like Christmas, Easter, Ramadan and others, the decoration of the streets becomes a competition between these companies that are strategically located along roads and ceremonial streets. The Singapore Tourism Board then offers prizes for the best decorated street during a particular festive occasion.
With this strategy, all the institutions are motivated and anxious to make their street win the prizes for the best decorated street in the city. That is why when you go to Singapore during any of these festive occasions, you will only open your mouth until someone comes along and tells you to shut it. Singapore has four main festivals celebrated by various religious bodies, namely Christian, Muslim, Hindu, and Buddhist, more or less. And these festivals come on and off, 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 more brilliant with lights at night. With this, the entire city becomes virtually 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, going around from street to street and admiring the beauty of the street decorations. I suggest that the Ghana City Authorities partner with the Ghana Tourism Board and adopt Singapore’s strategy for beautifying our cities.
Today Wednesday 7th March 2007 marks the first Ghanaian Next 50 Years Day and the centenary celebration of our nationality. Only God should be our guide and source of inspiration. Do we take note of the following African proverb? “The person who takes the first step in front of you is not easy to catch up with.” Therefore, once he is on the path, there must be no turning back. The sky should be the limit for Ghanaians as we look forward to celebrating the country’s 100th anniversary in March 2057. For now, let’s lift our chests and say, “Well done Ghana!