
“Yen ara yen asaase ni” is not just a song but the sacrifice our predecessors went through to secure the freedom we have today. The tears, bloodshed, and death among others were the cross they had to bear and gladly so they did for our sake. Ghana has come a long way right from the Gold coast as it was originally called until was christened the name ghana we have come to know below gives an insight into the journey of our independence so far
Located on the west side of Africa, Ghana, before colonialism was made up of kingdoms like the Ashantis, Gonjas, Dagombas, and Fantis among others and all of them together made the Gold coast the country it was. There were wars among some at times in the quest to prove superiority but nothing like what colonialism brought. Ghana was colonized between the 19th century until it later gained freedom through the CPP, led by Dr. Kwame Nkrumah of blessed memory along with the help of five other people dubbed the Big six who are also of blessed memory. Tales of the struggle are epic when told by historians and survivors. Nkrumah did his bid with projects like the Akosombo Dam which serves electricity till now, Adomi Bridge, the Kwame Nkrumah university of science and technology which still trains scholars, and so on. Unfortunately, his regime was short-lived when he was overthrown by General Kotoka who was also killed by Lt. Yeboah at the now kotoka airport. Ghana has had a lot of military regimes, some of which were very brutal especially during the regime of flt Lt Jerry John Rawlings until it transitioned into democracy from the time of PNDC to NDC up until the current administrator of President Addo Danquah Akuffo Addo.
Let’s think for a minute to ponder whether we have achieved the purpose for which lives were lost. We are amid plenty, but we are wallowing in hardship. Political parties come and go but with empty promises, looting of public coffers, and individual selfish gains as their top priority. Decisions are made prematurely before they reach their full potential by mature elected officials but nothing is achieved but only questions like what at all did Africa come to do in this world. Our flag, designed by Theodora oko signifies Red, for the blood of freedom fighters, Gold for our mineral deposits which seem like a curse instead of a blessing, Green for our rich vegetation which is now a ground for human coaches, and Black star which tells of the hope Ghana is still hopeful still looks on, awaiting the time it will be raised high above.
This is the only place nature has blessed us with. If the country will be better, it will depend on us. If you are a writer, write to improve mother Ghana, if journalism is your field, do the same, likewise politicians, traders, cobblers, and so on. So far as the sun rises and sets on you under this country, do your bid. In so doing, the black star of hope, which shines dimly, will shine brightly as it should for Ghana, the beacon of hope, to return to its formal glory.