Today, Ghana’s 23.8 million people are celebrating the fifty-third anniversary of their nation. The theme of this year’s celebrations is “Investing in Youth for a Better Ghana”—an homage of sorts to the goals envisioned by Ghana’s first president, Kwame Nkrumah.
Ghana, a West African nation that lies on the northern shore of the Gulf of Guinea, was the first black African nation to attain independence. Much progress has been made since independence. Education and gender parity in schools has improved greatly. Ghana currently offers school feeding programmes, free school uniforms and free textbooks in certain areas as a means of helping extremely poor children.
Children and youth from primary and secondary schools from across the country participated in cultural celebrations. Speaking at a parade of youth cadets from these schools In Cape Coast, Ghana’s Central Regional Minister Mrs. Ama Benyiwa-Doe entreated youth to use their education to further the development of their county. Indeed, many officials speaking today have highlighted the adverse effect that “brain drain” has had on the country. The lack of sufficient employment opportunities for the highly educated, the lack of space in universities, and the fact that more money and scholarships can be found in wealthier countries has fuelled a “grass is greener on the other side” mentality, say officials.
In Accra, the capital city, President John Atta Mills observed a show of traditional dance, music and gymnastics by local school children. Atta Mills pledged sincerely to create equal opportunities for youth by improving the education system. In Tema, Mr. Robert Kempes Ofosuware, Tema Metropolitan Chief Executive, spoke as the President’s delegate: “Even as we celebrate,” he said, “we must not advise the Youth of Ghana to become complacent, but to keep on striving towards achieving excellence.” Similar celebrations featuring the displays of local youth talent transpired in Kumasi, Koforidua, and elsewhere.
This year, it seems, Ghanaians hold the view that there is a situation of mutual accountability at stake: students have the responsibility to learn, work hard and take advantage of their opportunities in service of the nation; meanwhile, their government is working to expand these opportunities through key investments in education under President Atta Mills’ Better Ghana Agenda.