Accra: On the occasion of Ghana's 68th Independence Anniversary Celebration, President John Dramani Mahama has called on Ghanaians to reflect on the country's journey so far as an independent nation. Speaking at the national parade to mark the day at the forecourt of the Presidency in Accra, President Mahama said Independence Day celebrations served as an opportunity for Ghanaians to remember their nation's struggle for freedom and to honour the sacrifices of their forebears who led that struggle for self-rule.
According to Ghana News Agency, President Mahama emphasized that the celebrations reinforce national identity, unity, and patriotism while offering a moment for reflection on progress and the challenges ahead. He urged citizens to recount their history, learn from it, and forge a path of progress and development. The President recalled the vision of Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, the founder of the nation, for an industrialized, self-reliant Ghana with high economic standards and self-esteem rooted in patriotism and Pan-African unity.
President Mahama highlighted the impact of the military and police coup d'etat on February 24, 1966, which ended Nkrumah's dream and led to decades of instability in Ghana. He referred to classified documents from the United States archives, indicating the coup was inspired and engineered by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), marking it as a regrettable moment in Ghana's history. This event, he said, set back the country and delayed its objectives of nationhood.
The President called for independence anniversaries to be moments of reflection on stewardship of national assets for future generations, emphasizing the need for continued efforts to achieve more than the current state. He committed to providing bold leadership and clarity of vision to navigate economic challenges while safeguarding the future.
Discussions about Ghana's independence often highlight reliance on imports, donor aid, and International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailouts as signs of continued dependence. President Mahama stressed the importance of taking decisive action rather than repeating these reminders. He advocated for actions that would break the chain of dependency, highlighting the need for self-reliance beyond empty rhetoric.
To reset Ghana's economy, his administration is formulating policies based on fiscal discipline and living within the country's means. The aim is to expand the economy for prosperity by raising revenue domestically. President Mahama mentioned the implementation of the 24-hour Economy Programme to 'resurrect' the economy, creating job expansion, boosting productivity, increasing export capacity, and reducing foreign aid dependence.
Additionally, the $10 billion big push initiative aims to modernize infrastructure, create jobs, and stimulate local industry, demonstrating that development is driven internally. The 68th Independence Day Celebration parade, themed 'Reflect, Review and Reset,' featured former President Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania as the special guest of honour, alongside Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang and former Presidents Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and John Agyekum Kufuor.
