WE CAN REBUILD GHANA (MARCH 7)

GHANAIANS yesterday celebrated the country’s 52nd independence anniversary with parades in Accra and the regional and district capitals.
The occasion reminded us of the declaration of independence at the Old Polo Grounds in Accra by the First President of the Republic, the late Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah.
The emotions and euphoria that greeted the declaration of independence are still relevant, as we strive to build on the legacies bequeathed to us by our founding fathers.
Our political and ethnic differences notwithstanding, Ghanaians have tried to tolerate one another and this peaceful co-existence has gone a long way to establish Ghana as an oasis of peace and stability in the turbulent sub-region.
Our forward march will depend greatly on our readiness to work together as one people with a common destiny. The founding fathers have played their part in the struggle to attain nationhood for Ghana, in the process of which they made many sacrifices.
Today, in the words of Dr Ephraim Amu, a statesman and famous musicologist, it is our turn, as patriotic citizens, to continue the nation-building process from where our forebears left off.
Addressing the parade in Accra, President J. E. A. Mills echoed the importance of unity and peace in our effort to chart a new development path in consonance with the theme for the anniversary, “Unity and Peace; Pillars for National Development”.
He reiterated the commitment of his government not to engage in political vendetta or witch-hunting but wanted those disposed to wrongdoing to recognise that “a contrite heart is more valued and a good example better than arrogance, bluster and confrontation”.
The country is at the cross-roads in the wake of the global economic downturn and the ills that have plagued the local economy and so we must resolve to work in concert to reverse the trend.
The country abounds in rich talents and valuable natural resources. Consequently, we have no reason to wallow in poverty, disease and squalor.
The DAILY GRAPHIC, therefore, calls on all citizens of goodwill to offer their best in the task set by the government to leave a solid legacy for posterity.
As a people, we have more things in common that unite us than issues that divide our ranks. Indeed, every patriotic citizen recognises the task ahead of the new government and what is expected of everybody to halt the decay that has afflicted our society over the past 52 years.
It is not an easy task that must be left to only the government and those in positions of trust. Every Tom, Dick and Harry has to lend a hand in the rescue efforts.
This is not the time to encourage people to sit on the fence or be apathetic to the clarion call by the government on Ghanaians to live up to the ideals that unite us for the common agenda of nation-building.
As we begin the march towards another anniversary, let us all resolve to do things that will arrest the decline in the economy so that next year we will celebrate our collective gains in building a better Ghana.