"We have not fully realised our potential, dreams, aspirations of our forebears" -Prez Akufo-Addo

President Akufo-Addo says Ghana has not fully realised the potential, dreams and aspirations of its forebears, who fought for the independent it is currently enjoying. 

He made these known while speaking at the 66th Independence Day Anniversary celebration held at Adaklu in the Volta Region.

Addressing the gathering, President Akufo-Addo said "Sixty-six (66) years down the line, we have worked hard to live up to this responsibility, even though we acknowledge that we have not fully realised our potential and the dreams and aspirations of our forebears, who fought for the independent Ghana we have today"

"For well over a century, our forebears fought to liberate our nation from the chains of colonialism and imperialism"

"The several wars fought against the British by the Ashantis, the last of which featured the celebrated Yaa Asantewa; the successful mobilisation of public opinion by the Aborigines Rights Protection Society, whose leading spirits were Jacob Sey, Joseph Casely-Hayford, John Mensah Sarbah, Kobina Sekyi, against the sequestration of our lands by the British; the formation, in 1947, of the nation’s first political party, the United Gold Coast Convention, UGCC of blessed memory; the triggering of mass resistance by Nii Kwabena Bonney (Boycott Hene) through the boycott of goods of European traders; the riots that consumed the nation following the senseless shootings of unarmed ex-service men at the Christiansborg Crossroads on 28th February 1948 and the killings of Sergeant Adjetey, Corporal Attipoe and Private Odartey Lamptey, which enraged the people and sparked riots across the country; the subsequent arrest of the UGCC leaders, who have gone down in history as the legendary “Big Six”, JB Danquah, Emmanuel Obetsebi-Lamptey, Edward Akufo-Addo, Ebenezer Ako Adjei, William Ofori-Atta, Kwame Nkrumah, by the colonial authorities, who held them responsible for the disturbances; the establishment of the Watson Commission, which helped design the path towards independence in 1957; and the formation, in 1949, of the Convention Peoples’ Party by Kwame Nkrumah, together with K.A Gbedemah and Kojo Botsio, which, thereafter, became the principal organ for the prosecution of the nationalist agenda"

He noted that Ghan's forebears were united and strengthened in realising one common purpose – the attainment of independence.

President Akufo-Addo also mentioned it did not matter where they came from; it did not matter which tribe they belonged to; it did not matter which religious persuasion they subscribed to; and their standing in society certainly did not matter.

He stressed that the forebearers recognised the fact that colonialism did not inure to the nation’s collective benefit, and they were determined to end it.

"And, indeed, they did. On that historic night of 6th March 1957, after decades of agitation by the pioneers and members of the nationalist movement, Kwame Nkrumah, our nation’s first leader, made the momentous proclamation of Ghanaian independence at the Old Polo Grounds in Accra, which we celebrate with joy every year."

"The theme for this year’s celebration, “Our Unity, Our Strength, Our Purpose”, should imbue in us the constant desire to seek for the progress, prosperity and development of Ghana, no matter the circumstances confronting us"

President Akufo-Addo further explained that the 4th Republic represents the longest period of stable constitutional governance in Ghana’s history.

He charged all to be united in the goal of protecting it.

"For it is only its free, democratic form of governance and the intelligent management of the economy that will bring the upliftment Ghanaians want and deserve."

Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith