HAPPY REPUBLIC DAY

TODAY the country marks the 48th anniversary of its attainment of Republican status and that should provide us the opportunity to reflect on our political journey so far.
The day, which marks the climax of Ghana’s process towards political autonomy from Great Britain in 1960, is significant in that it ushered in a Ghanaian Constitution that affirmed our desire to institutionalise democracy as the preferred form of self-governance.
The day also marked the institution of a parliamentary democracy which, today, many Ghanaians hold in high esteem.
The story of the country’s political journey since then is well known. But, in spite of the pitfalls that we have encountered with the truncation of democratic governance and constitutional rule by various military regimes, the desire of the Ghanaian for constitutional governance has never been doused.
As the country marks Republic Day, there is the need for Ghanaians to critically examine the challenges of the country’s political journey and affirm our commitment to work diligently to uphold the ideals of sound democratic and constitutional rule.
The DAILY GRAPHIC wishes to admonish Ghanaians to recognise the sacrifices that were made for the attainment of Republican status — sacrifices that involved the loss of precious lives — for which reason we must work hard to jealously guard against any attempt to draw us back into a quagmire.
There is the need to work together as a people who are united, despite our different political persuasions. For, to hold different political opinions while pursuing one common destiny demonstrates our value for unity in diversity.
In that regard, we wish to throw some spotlight on the national awards that usually serve as one of the highlights of the country’s Republic Day celebrations.
This year’s awards ceremony, as announced by the Office of the President, reportedly is likely to be boycotted by a few of the nominees and that clearly sends unhealthy signals.
While the DAILY GRAPHIC believes that every individual has the right to accept or reject an award conferred on him or her, we believe that in such instances the pride that comes with such national recognition should not be compromised for the sake of political expediency.
Indeed, such national honours must be placed in the context of being a call to national duty, as they are part of the process of engendering nationalism and patriotism among Ghanaians.
The fact is that the list of nominees demonstrates a bold attempt to heal the wounds of division and hatred between followers of the political divide and thereby reconcile us for the task of nation building.
The awards must, therefore, serve to inspire others and not be derided; they must unite us and not to divide us. Their pride of place as a noble scheme of rewarding nationals who have contributed in one way or another to national development must be preserved at all times.
The DAILY GRAPHIC, therefore, advises all Ghanaians, particularly the key players and award nominees, to address the issue at stake with a great deal of circumspection in order not to send the wrong signals to those who have cited Ghana as a true example of good democratic governance.
Consequently, we call on the President to demonstrate the qualities that have endeared him to many in the country, the continent and the globe to listen to some of the concerns that have been expressed and when appropriate, restore universal acceptance of the national awards.