WHO ARE WE?

Who are we when we sing and sneeze?

Who are we when we speak and act?

Are we strangers to the sufferings and sacrifices our forebears made for us to have come this far?

Our pioneers dreamt, hoped and desired to see this day. Others sang songs and demonstrated our preparedness for our political independence. The four million Ghanaians at the time were happy about this glamorous event in the annals of our country.

 Several sermons of statements, speeches, and sentiments were shared on which course we had to take and what we ought to do consolidate our freedom and secure that of our brothers and sisters on Afrika's soil.

We had a beautiful blueprint of how we were going to do it and build a dignified Afrika.

We argued and somehow agreed on how things should pan out. Indeed, the storyline was perfectly envisioned but can we say the same about its implementation?

At the time, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah said the Independence of Ghana was meaningless unless it's linked to the total liberation of Afrika.  And I add that our independence struggle was not only an event but a united process that we need to take at heart and mind, in order to liberate, create, preserve and sustain our development. 

Sixty-three (63) years on, will we say our political independence has bought us the valuable liberation Afrika needed? 

Can we say we are better managers of our own affairs now, or we are still taking handouts and begging our colonial masters for alms and technical assistance to direct us on the path of their foreign development? 

Are we doing the things that will ensure greater national cohesion, progress, and development or we are just talking and pontificating on what we ought to be doing? 

Are we even guided by the great sacrifices of our forebears and the expectation of the next generation before making the decision we take today, Or have we allowed greed to blind our focus as a people?

Have we demonstrated our abilities to be better managers of our lives and resources, or are we still worshiping the deadly colonial traps? 

Have we sustained the idea of producing better finished finite goods and services, and to rethink what we can do beyond building a begging and religious centered economy?

Can we think of building a value-based economy and be leaders in technological advancement and not just a gateway to Afrika's so-called democracy?

Could we, for instance, agree to research into the gradual cultural changes we are seeing and be committed to brewing one that is authentically ours?

Can we even dare to investigate the effects of our collective attitude that is working against us?

Could we, for instance, ask ourselves why we still march every March and not just reflect how we are building or bleeding our economy?

Could we ask ourselves the best way to govern ourselves beyond the noise and insincerity of the two political parties we have?

Maybe we need to reflect on our attitudes and on the efforts we're making individually and collectively to develop our Mother Land.

Beyond asking the question of who we are, why we are here and how far we have come in our liberation struggle, maybe we should all reflect on the toils of our forefathers, act in good fate and work on how better to utilize our natural or national resources for the betterment of Ghanaians, especially those yet to be born. 

Ghana, and for that matter Afrika deserves better.

We deserve better than just speaking beautiful English to our numerous challenges. 

We owe this responsibility to our forebears through who's toil and sacrifices brought us here; we owe it to ourselves to make this place a little better place and ensure that our children's children suck the nectar of our blessed motherland.

But who are we when it comes to the independence equation? Who are we in terms of our patriotism and preparedness to die for the course of our country and Afrika? 

Who are we when we think, recite our anthem and get the nod to govern? Who are we when we repeat the verses of our pledge as Ghanaians? What are we when we claim we are the beacon of democracy?

Can we all say with all honesty that we are the people with the Conscience, Character, Courage, and sense of Commun,ity who really CARE about the progress of our beloved country?

Who are we in terms of our Agriculture, Education, Healthcare, Economy, Culture, and Entertainment? Can we say we are truly independent in these areas?

I still don't know whether we are strangers to our heritage, that is why I ask the again:WHO ARE WE in this Independence Day celebration? 

Are we only marching to observe an annual event of this limited independence from our ever-present oppressors with their housekeepers in coats? 

I wish you a blissful reflective Day.

Greetings from me to you.

©KYB ✍🏿6/03/20