The Ghanaian sense of belongingness emanates from the patriotic song they sing and the National Pledge they recite, which were composed by some great citizens of the country and used on special and important occasions.
Before one can excitingly say, “I belong” to a particular country with all joy, free from slavery, that country must be in a state of independence. Independence refers to a condition of a nation, country or state in which its populace or some portion thereof exercise self-government or usually sovereignty over the territories.
Ghana gained independence on the 6th March, 1957. That day marked and still marks a very important event in the affairs of the country. The freedom of Ghana was a treasure to behold and a step to great things because it wasn’t just for Ghana but for Africa as well as said by OSAGYEFO DR. KWAME NKRUMAH,
“The independence of Ghana is meaningless unless it is linked up with the total liberation of the African continent”.
From time in memorial; much importance is given on the 6th March and celebrated by all natives in Ghana.
Names such as Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, Ako Adjei, Obetsebi Lamptey, Edward Akufo-Addo, Dr.J.B Danquah and William Ofori Atta Aggrey are termed as the ‘BIG SIX’ in the history of Ghana. And their names are highly lifted and celebrated for their heroic work to attain freedom for the then Gold Coast. This is due to their numerous contributions towards the achievement for self- rule in Ghana. The indelible mark made by these great achievers for the country cannot be overlooked.
Due to the loyalty and patriotic nature of the ‘BIG SIX’, the spirit of patriotism in contemporary days has been inculcated by all citizens of the country and hopefully for posterity. This spirit of patriotism is being expressed by Ghanaians in diver’s ways especially on national days.
Now, what does it mean to be patriotic?
Being patriotic simply means having or feeling love for your country more than any other and being proud of it.
It could also mean being devoted, loving, supporting and defending your country at all time.
In our schools, before classes begin students sing the National anthem and National pledge to express their love, loyalty and promise for their motherland. A song such as Yen Ara Ya Asase Nyi evokes and ignites the love and will in every Ghanaian to do something for the country.
But the question we ask ourselves today is whether the spirit of patriotism still remains?.
Today in our country what do we see, politically, socially and religiously?
It is sad how citizens of this great nation now value political parties over the nation’s welfare. People are doing all sort of dubious things in the name of being a good and active member of a party. What of your country?
Have you thought of what your actions as an ‘active party member’ can do to your homeland?
We ought to remember, that patriotism is standing by your country, not president, political party or any public official.
Isn’t what we do as patriotic citizens supposed to be in the good of the country?
Know that being loyal to your country must be always, but to a government, is only when they deserve it.
Corruption has also become the order of the day. An ‘infection’, the nation is battling to eradicate. Officials who have been mandated to manage the affairs of the country loot and embezzle state funds for their own selfish desires and interest, leaving the very people who put them there in the ‘wilderness’ to suffer and survive all by themselves and yet they sing our national anthem boldly like they mean it.
So where lies your patriotism? Is it in the pocket of that politician, that bank manager, that pastor who handed you that fat envelop with tax payers money asking you to do what you know will cause harm to your beloved country?
Wrong is wrong no matter what or who says or does it, we’re not supposed to be blind with patriotism that we can’t face reality.
Many including governments have risen against corruption giving it all the negative adjectives one can think about. But nothing really comes out of it, or are they trying to letting us believe they are working on it when they are actually doing nothing?
According to Joe Biden, fighting corruption is not just good governance but self-defense. It is patriotism.
Where lies your patriotism? When you can look at your fellow human and hurt them, take their lives wrongly, maltreat and abuse them. When you steal from your fellow human being, thinking they are ignorant about that fact. The fact that, it is their hard earned monies that you used in sending your kids abroad, buy that car, build that house and load your bank accounts all in the name of being in government. It’s sad!
Patriotism is not only love for your country but love also for your fellow country men and women. We don’t always have to agree, but we must empower each other, we must build bridges across our differences to pursue the common good because there is no flag large enough to cover the shame of killing innocent people.
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That is injustices and patriotism hates it.
“As far as I am concerned, I am in the knowledge that death can never extinguish the torch which I have lit in Ghana and Africa, long light will continue to burn and be borne aloft, giving light and guidance to all people”. DR. KWAME NKRUMAH
What has happened to that light, lit by our first president who stood in and fought with other great leaders to make Ghana great?. Are we ready to let their toil be in vain?
I leave you to answer that.
Source: Akosua Wiafe | Ghana Institute Of Journalism]]>
