FOR the second time in less than seven days, we have had to return to the declaration of July 1 as Republic Day. In the first instance, it was to remind Ghanaians of the significance of the day, but on this second occasion, it is for a worrying reason.
In the first place, the adult population and the youth, especially who are the future leaders of the country, must appreciate the significance of the day and other public holidays. We must also know about the nation’s landmarks, its organisations and individuals and their contributions to the development of the country. For, it is said that a people without a sense of history are doomed.
Reports in the media about the Republic Day celebration showed that some Ghanaians, especially the youth, are ignorant of its significance. Others are not only ignorant of the significance of the day, but to them, the day marks a negative era in our history.
A Ghanaian who was having fun on Republic Day at the beach in Accra told journalists that “I know today is a holiday, but I have not taken the pain to ask anyone what the day is all about”, while another said, “I was told by friends that July 1 was the day on which Kwame Nkrumah was shot.”
While it will be unfair to take the two responses to represent the generality of the population’s viewpoint about the Republic Day, it is still a worrying development that must be checked immediately.
In the past when History and Civics were religiously taught in our basic schools, it would be sacrilegious or a national disgrace for schoolchildren to display this ignorance about the two national landmarks; the Independence Day and the Republic Day.
If the euphoria that greeted the celebrations in the past is dying down, then we must worry about the future of the nation, especially when the youth, who are to take over from the present generation, seem not to know where we are coming from.
Suffice it to say that Republic Day marks the day when Ghana achieved a full republican status, but the day is significant in the sense that it marks the day that affirms our true independence, having achieved political independence in 1957 but with the British Monarch still remaining as the ceremonial head of state.
Since the attainment of a Republican status in 1960, successive governments have done their utmost to promote the development of the country. The history of the country over the last 49 years has not been rosy. There have been ups and downs especially during the military interregnum. We have, however, made great strides since 1993 when the people decided to adopt multiparty democracy as the best form of governance.
The Daily Graphic is worried that after 52 years of political independence, our youth appear not to be concerned about our history. Managing a country or an economy is like a relay race, which can only be sustained if all members of the team play their part. Any break or reluctance on the part of any member of the team will lead to the collapse of the relay race.
As a nation, we should do all within our power to carry the youth along with us in the reconstruction effort.
If the youth do not understand our history and the reasons why our forefathers shed their blood to attain nationhood, they may not be prepared to sacrifice to sustain the country.
The Daily Graphic thinks in this endeavour, a big responsibility lies on the shoulders of our educational authorities.
This calls for the re-introduction of History and Civics in the country’s educational institutions to help educate the youth on our history.
We cannot compromise on this significant enterprise to ensure the sustenance of nationhood.
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