The first African Country in Sub-Saharan Africa to gain her independence was my small and lovely country, Ghana. On March 6, 1957, Ghana officially became a nation; that was the day the first President, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, declared to the Ghanaian people “Ghana our beloved country is free forever”. This was both an extraordinary occurrence and a great achievement in the history of my country, and in human history. This article is intended in honor of Ghana for its many noble contributions to humanity. As Ghanaians, wherever we are on this special day, I wish to faithfully reach out to my countrymen and acknowledge our country’s birth. I want to remember our history and accomplishments, and also celebrate the accomplishments of our dear country. Ghana’s accomplishments are in every field of human endeavor, but let me specifically name a few to contemplate.
Education is critical to creating a healthy democratic society. In education, Ghana has made tremendous strides and can be proud of its very solid and formidable academic institutions. Ghana’s schools create great men and women with deep knowledge and learning, and these graduates fill important positions and perform critical roles both within and beyond Ghana’s borders. The graduates of these noble institutions can be found all over the world, serving in various capacities, and the outstanding performance from these people attests to how great the nation’s institutions have grown.
Ghana has contributed world-renowned scientists to international projects. For example, Dr. Ave Kludze became an important rocket scientist and senior Spacecraft Systems Engineer at the US space agency NASA. He is also a
visionary leader for Ghanaian technological development, and he asserts that, if the African continent is to develop, then it must take advantage of its natural resources — especially the sun. That is why Dr. Kludze has developed high tech solar freezers, solar air-conditioning, solar water heaters, solar lamps and many other new solar technologies. In 2002, he was given an excellence award at a special ceremony at the State House in Accra.
Ghana can also be proud of its excellent management training institutions that turn out top managers and administrators for all of Africa. An example is the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration, known as GIMPA, which is a leading institution in Africa for leadership training. Ghana’s good governance has put the nation in the spotlight for other African nations to emulate. In the international arena, my beloved country will be
remembered for its leadership in international affairs. Ghana played a major role in the formation of the Africa Union, formerly called the Organisation of African Unity. One of the organization’s founding fathers was Ghana‘s own founding father, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah.
Ghana is a nation of peace that likes to share its experience of freedom, education and dignity with the rest of Africa; our first President Kwame Nkrumah stressed the importance of spreading freedom when he said “The Independence of Ghana is meaningless, unless it is linked up with the total liberation of the African
continent.” Ghana has contributed great leaders who desire to spread freedom and justice, such as Kofi Anna, one of the finest Secretary Generals in the history of the United Nations. Other examples of international leadership are Dr. Mohamed Ibn Chambas, who is the current president of the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS), and Cardinal Peter Appiah Turkson, who is the current President of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace
. These leaders of peace, prosperity and freedom are also a great testimony to the fifty three years of Ghana’s existence.
Another area I should mention is Ghana’s military, which is considered one of the most professional and advanced armies in Africa. Large Ghanaian forces are often sent across the world as an important part of the United Nations’ peacekeeping forces. The United Nations has often relied on Ghanaian forces to conduct peacekeeping operations, and Ghanaian forces have done excellent work in countries as diverse as Rwanda, Kosovo, and Lebanon. Ghana’s armed forces have been doing tremendous work for good all over the world, and they will certainly continue to do so. Their dedication to creating international peace and social stability is second to none, and within Ghana’s borders the military is a force that the country can depend upon.
In sports, Ghana is a big force to reckon with. It was the first African country to qualify for this year’s FIFA World Cup to be held in South Africa, the first time on African soil. On October 16, 2009, Ghana became the first African nation to win the FIFA U-20 World Cup by defeating Brazil 4-3 in a penalty shootout. The country recently placed second in the African Cup of Nations, played in Angola, even though Ghana’s players represented a very youthful part of the tournament. Ghanaians are in major sporting activities all over the world, either as members of the team, or as administrators. So I want to remember, on my nation‘s birthday, that Ghana has excelled in education, the sciences, diplomacy and military support, as well as sports. Wherever the name of Ghana is mentioned, the name is synonymous to PEACE. I wish continuing peace — and Happy Birthday — to Ghana.
