Full text: President Mahama's speech at Ghana's 68th Independence Day Celebration
Source: myjoyonline

Your Excellency Vice President Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang Rt. Honourable Speaker of Parliament Your Ladyship the Chief Justice Your Excellency, former President John Agyekum Kufuor Your Excellency, former President Nana Akufo-Addo Ministers of State Honourable Members of Parliament Nii Mei, Naa Mei Service Chiefs Our gallant men and women on parade Distinguished guests Ladies and Gentlemen Good people of Ghana, I wish you a Happy Independence Day. Ten years ago, during Ghana’s 58th Independence Anniversary, we implemented reforms to the annual Independence Day parade. This eased the burden on thousands of school children who march, sparing them from hours of standing in the scorching sun. They formed up on the parade ground only when it was time for their march-past and presidential acknowledgment. A few years ago, the previous administration decided to rotate the hosting of Independence Day celebrations among the regions of our country, an initiative intended to bring the celebration closer to all our people. Unfortunately, this year, we are constrained to interrupt the celebration's rotation in the regions and hold it in a scaled-down version here at the Presidency's forecourt instead of the traditional Black Star Square. This is a necessary step considering the economic crisis our nation is currently experiencing. Large-scale celebrations often come with significant logistics, security, and public infrastructure costs, which strain the national budget. By reducing the scale of the event, we wish to demonstrate a commitment to fiscal responsibility and efficient use of limited resources. Fiscal prudence has become imperative for navigating the severe economic crisis that has recently confronted our country. The state spent GHS 15 million on last year’s celebration in Koforidua and GHS 13.7 million on the previous year's celebration in Ho. We received estimates of at least GHS 20 million for holding the event at Independence Square this year on the same scale as previous years. In a year when we call on everyone to sacrifice, including workers who have accepted a base pay adjustment far below the inflation rate, it is unconscionable to spend that much money on a few hours of celebration. Today’s event would save us 95% of the estimated cost. Nonetheless, this scaled-down celebration does not diminish the importance and significance of this occasion in any way. Ghana’s independence is the single most important event in our history, as it set us on the path to nationhood. It is even more significant because it lit the flames of independence in sub-Saharan Africa by inspiring other countries, yoked to colonial exploitation, to seek self-determination. This day must always be commemorated, but when reality calls for a different approach, we must heed it and act accordingly. Moreover, hosting the celebration here at the Presidency preserves the symbolic essence of Independence Day while demystifying the seat of government. Fellow compatriots, Independence Day celebrations serve as an opportunity to remember our nation’s struggle for freedom and to honor the sacrifices of our forbearers who led that struggle for self-rule. It reinforces our national identity, unity, and patriotism while offering a moment for reflection on our progress and the challenges ahead. It presents an opportunity to recount our history, pick the lessons it teaches, and forge a new path for progress and development. Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah—the Founder of our nation—envisioned an industrialized, self-reliant Ghana, whose citizens have the highest standard of economic life and the greatest sense of self-esteem—rooted in Pan-African unity. But on February 24, 1966, a joint military and police coup shattered that dream, plunging Ghana into decades of instability and military takeovers—the verdict of history is now loud and clear: declassified documents from the US archives reveal that it was a coup inspired and engineered by the CIA. This remains the most regrettable and darkest moment in our nation’s journey. That moment sparked a series of historical events that have set us back and significantly delayed our attainment of the objectives of nationhood. We have had moments of triumph and moments of anguish. We have blossomed into a fully-fledged democracy with a healthy culture of peaceful power transfers. We must, however, remind ourselves that democratic participation transcends the act of voting; it is fundamentally about accountability and the security needed to demand it. It is about safeguarding the people’s freedoms and rights and fulfilling the promises of socioeconomic prosperity enshrined in our founding document. Our history is complex, marked by struggle, resilience, and renewal. But through it all, one truth stands firm: the unbreakable will of the Ghanaian people has ensured that no matter the detours, our democratic spirit endures and our destiny remains in our own hands. While we reflect on our journey, we must also review our standing today. We must assess our economic outlook, education and human resource development, natural resource management, national security, and governance arrangements. A thorough review of our healthcare system, agriculture and food security, infrastructure and urban development, and the role of science, technology, and innovation is essential. In this era of green transition, we must recognize our unique circumstances—a nation rich in natural resources yet vulnerable to climate change—and chart a path that balances sustainability with economic growth. Eighteen years ago, as we marked our Golden Jubilee—50 years of independence—we celebrated offshore oil and gas discovery. It was a moment of great optimism, promising a new era of economic transformation and attracting significant investment into Ghana’s petroleum sector. However, in recent years, poor governance and policy choices have stunted our prospects and left us reeling from serious challenges. This stark reality, far from dampening our spirits, must spur us on to strive for rapid development. For if our forebears, armed with far less, did not permit their backs to be broken by a repressive and exploitative colonial administration representing an imperial power, how can we, their progenies, armed with far more, despair in the face of these challenges? Rather than perpetually decrying our failures, every anniversary of our independence must present an opportunity to account for the legacy we are building for the next generation. We, of this generation, are merely custodians of their country and resources, entrusted with managing them wisely, today. These independence anniversaries should be moments of reflection—not on what we have done for ourselves, but on how well we have stewarded national assets for those who will inherit them. Our story cannot be one of missed opportunities; it must be one of continued effort to achieve far more than we can boast of now. Posterity will not accept our failures or take kindly to them. As President, I am committed to providing the bold leadership and clarity of vision needed to navigate the turbulent economic waters while safeguarding our future. Discussions about our independence often highlight our reliance on imports, donor aid, and IMF bailouts as signs of continued dependence. This reminder is repeated so often that, while undeniably real, it risks becoming a cliché. Yet the entire efficacy of this reminder lies not in its repetition but in our willingness to take decisive action—actions that break the chains of dependency, not just the empty rhetoric of Africa Beyond Aid. Proclaiming self-reliance while marching straight to the doors of donor agencies, begging bowl in hand, is meaningless. My administration is formulating policies based on fiscal discipline and living within our means to break this cycle of dependence and reset our economy. We are also striving to expand our economy to yield prosperity for all. We are working to implement the 24-hour economy program to ensure that our economy never sleeps. This will allow us to create the necessary job expansion, boost productivity, increase our export capacity and trade footprint, and reduce our need for foreign aid. The US$10 billion Big Push Initiative will also modernize infrastructure, create jobs, and stimulate local industries, ensuring that our development is driven from within rather than funded from outside. Agriculture remains our biggest opportunity to reduce import dependence. With over US$2 billion spent annually on food imports, the Agriculture for Economic Transformation Agenda (AETA) is structured to strengthen local agribusiness and ensure food security. The Feed Ghana Programme will drive mass food production and stabilize prices. At the same time, the Poultry Farm-to-Table Initiative will boost domestic production and processing to directly address our 95% reliance on imported poultry. The success of these policies depends on active citizen participation, particularly from young people. The AgriNext Programme will equip 30,000 youth with land, training, and agribusiness opportunities. Farmer Service Centres in every district will provide access to mechanization, quality seeds, and fertilizers to boost local food production. This is a defining moment, but policies alone, no matter how well-couched, will not change our reality—action will. As your president, I am taking the necessary actions to create growth opportunities and enhance our economic independence. Young Ghanaians must step up, seize these opportunities, and contribute to building a self-sufficient nation. Ghana’s economic future is in your hands. Fellow Ghanaians, the 1992 Constitution has provided a stable framework for governance and delivered the most extended period of constitutional democracy in our nation’s history. However, like any enduring legal and political framework, it has flaws and loopholes. Recognizing the need for refinement, the late President John Evans Atta Mills initiated a constitutional review process in 2010, leading to the establishment of the Constitution Review Commission. My previous administration took steps toward implementing its recommendations, but legal challenges interrupted the process. Considering evolving national and global dynamics, I have constituted a new review committee to undertake a comprehensive and inclusive reassessment of our Constitution. This endeavor is essential, as the strength of our democracy, the integrity of our constitutional order, and the rule of law require continuous renewal. We must not allow weaknesses in our governance framework to fester until they threaten national stability. Instead, we must take proactive steps to reinforce the very foundation of our democracy. I urge all Ghanaians to participate in this process by submitting their recommendations to the committee. This is an opportunity to ensure that our constitutional framework truly reflects the collective aspirations of the Ghanaian people and serves as a robust instrument for national progress. Fellow Ghanaians, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah understood the essence of unity—not only in Ghana but on the entire African continent, when he said, "The forces that unite us are inherent and far greater than the divisions imposed upon us." In the spirit of unity and brotherhood that independence represents, I wish to speak directly to you, my brothers and sisters in Bawku and everywhere else in our land where conflict rages. I do not speak as president but as your son and brother, in whose hands you have entrusted a solemn duty. It is time for lasting peace. Our children deserve to inherit a land where dreams are nurtured, not nightmares relived, where markets bustle with trade, not tension, and where schools echo in learning, not melancholy. Let us not be swayed by division, mistrust, or the weight of past injuries. Let us give renewal of friendship a chance. This is not an invitation to simply forget the past—far from it. It is an invitation to live above it. My brothers and sisters, this is our moment in history. We have endured trials, faced challenges, and carried the burdens of our struggles, but never have we given up. Through every storm and shadow, we have kept the flame of hope alive. And now, at this critical juncture, we must rise with courage, determination, and the unwavering belief that a brighter future is within our grasp. Let us reflect on the great movements that have transformed the world, the movements that liberated us from the bonds of colonialism and the voices that shaped our path to democratic rule. It was ordinary people—workers, dreamers, farmers, students, the young and the old—who refused to accept the way things were. They marched, spoke out, struggled, and they prevailed. From Africa’s liberation movements to the fight for civil rights, from the pursuit of democracy to the battle against poverty and inequality, one lesson stands clear. When people unite with a common purpose, nothing can stand in their way. As I said before parliament, we shall live the dreams of our forebears in our lifetime. This is not just a promise; it is a call to action. Let this be our mission: to rise above fear, to silence the voices of doubt, and to harness the strength within us to create a future that is fair, prosperous, and inclusive. Let us move forward together, side by side, knowing that every sacrifice we make today will prepare the way for future generations. Thank you very much, and I wish you a happy Independence Day.