The dream of Ghana, over 6 decades on
The dream was to be totally free, free, and independent. The dream was to become the star and hope of Africa that shined so bright with industries, good roads, proper sanitation and healthcare, and economic freedom, world-class development, and good education…
Ghana, like many other countries in Africa, found itself in the clutches of the British colony. What began as a simple material trade, turned into human trade, and colonization.
The dream of Ghana, then Gold coast was to be freed of its colonial masters. That dream through it all was achieved in 1957 by some selfless men, who had a bigger dream and were dedicated to their cause to seeing Ghana become the beacon of hope it prides itself with.
However, it was not achieved on a silver platter. It took a lot of hard work, and bloodshed. Like my father always says, “there’s no freedom without bloodshed”. Some of our very brave fathers lost their lives so the future generations would live freely. But can that be said of today?
The dream was to be totally free, free and independent. The dream was to become the star and hope of Africa that shined so bright with industries, good roads, proper sanitation and healthcare and economic freedom, world class development and good education but 61 years on that astounding dream never saw the light of day rather seems to be dying off as the clutches of greed and partisan ‘polittricks’ blows the light off like the light of candle fades with the wind.
As a country, even though our constitution clearly talks about freedom and justice that cannot be said about the state of affairs of this country.
Like Martin Luther King Jnr said,
“The oppressor never voluntarily gives freedom to the oppressed; the oppressed has to work tirelessly for it (King 1957)”.
As a historic feat, it is important to reflect on the gall and glory moments and try to see how far we have come in all spheres of human endeavors, ranging from economic, social, political and other facets of national life.
As of 1957, Ghana was the world’s leading exporter of cocoa, exported 10 per cent of the world’s gold, and was rich in diamonds, bauxite, manganese and hardwoods like mahogany.
Dr. Nkrumah’s government embarked on massive road infrastructure projects, completed the Volta Dam project as part of a robust hydro-electrification that created the largest artificial lake on earth. Continue Here