A NATION WORTH DYING FOR (NOV 6)

THE greatness or otherwise of a nation is a direct function of the quality of its people and what is done to and with them.
Leadership is crucial in this respect because it is strategically well placed to offer the right vision and guidance to the people and authoritatively allocate values (resources inclusive) to society.
It is, therefore, no wonder that in societies where the leader espouses a clear vision of progress anchored on egalitarian principles, is firm but fair in the application of the law to all and lives by example of selflessness and a strong commitment to the pursuit of the national interest, the people will be willing and ready to die for the nation.
Success here is inevitable, because the realisation that the society will recognise and reward the feats they chalk or the general contributions they make unleashes such levels of energy that sweeps away all who stand in the way.
Those who have followed the fortunes of the nation’s Under-20 team, the Black Satellites, cannot fail to realise that apart from trying to make a name for themselves by conquering the world, these gallant boys were goaded on to success by the example and motivation provided by leadership.
Additionally, the feeling they harboured that society would duly recognise and treat them as heroes and thus accord them a dignified place and standing in society presented an added fillip for success.
For a long time since the Starlets 91 conquered the world, victory at the global level has eluded our national teams.
While a variety of reasons could be advanced to justify such relative lack of success, the lack of proper and adequate motivation and recognition accorded those who held high the nation’s flag on the international scene is a contributory factor.
Promises made by the state to motivate and adequately recognise and reward such achievers have, in the past, been largely reneged upon. The promises of the state, which should be deemed sacred and irrevocable, are broken with careless abandon, with little or no remorse.
That is why we are so elated and blown that under this dispensation the government not only amply motivated the Satellites team during the World Under-20 tournament but it has also accorded them a hero’s welcome and rewarded them appropriately.
The decision of the President, Professor John Evans Atta Mills, to hold back other pressing national assignments to meet, reward and honour our gallant Satellites is a significant morale booster that will unleash the unbounded energies in other Ghanaians to excel, not only in soccer but also other spheres of human endeavour.
We commend the government for not only giving immediate material benefits such as brand new cars to these young people and their handlers but also demonstrating a vision in setting aside funds in investment to guarantee them a sound and safe future.
Stories abound here of many sportsmen and sportswomen who, in the past, chalked up important feats for the nation but who today are regrettably reduced to paupers, with cups in hand begging for crumbs for survival.
This is where we believe the decision by the government to factor such predicament of past heroes into the reward scheme for the Satellites team is laudable and deserves the total support of the people.
We urge that this approach be made a permanent feature of our national life so that Ghana will forever remain a nation worth dying for.
“Ayekoo”, “mbo”, “yiwaladonn” Satellites, you have made us and all Africans proud.