Ghana at 57

I started off my Ghana Independence celebrations by watching Nana Akufo Addo and co talk about Ghana's progress (or not) in the last 57 years.

My celebrations continued into the week with a visit to the Jumeriah Carlton Tower for the Ghana High Commission's annual celebration. I went with Akwaaba UK to celebrate with Ghanaians and Friends of Ghana. 

As usual, I had nothing to wear. The invite said I could either wear formal wear or traditional dress. I obviously wanted to wear traditional clothes but my body has expanded over the last 3 years meaning what my seamstress beautifully sewed for me in Ghana just didn't fit.

All I could do was improvise! I ended up wearing a black dress and represented Ghana with some Ankara bracelets. I've sadly lost my Gye Nyame bracelet and earrings so the bracelets did it's job in a way.

I entered the building and noticed the Ghana High Commissioner and friends were lined at the door. I turned around to find another entrance because this looked pretty formal. Could I find one? No...that was the only way into the place! 

I awkwardly walked towards the toastmaster who asked for my name to introduce me to the High Commissioner. Gosh....Very formal indeed! 

Professor Kwaku Danso - Boafo (The High Commissioner) greeted me with a "Miss Amankwa thank you for coming". How lovely, I got a bit shy! 

I walked around the room and decided to speak with drummers who were about to play. One of them assured me that he would teach me. I know its a serious skill to have so I told him that if he was good, I would happily learn from him haha.

Let the drums talk

Soon after that it was time for the speech from the High Commissioner. The speech commenced with National Anthems. I was surprised to hear the National Anthem for Great Britain was played first. This was then followed by the Ghanaian national anthem. I would definitely would have reversed that order! 

Stand up, hand on heart, sing loudly....The National Anthem is playing!

In his speech, the High Commissioner commended Ghana for being the first country to take initiative in Sub Saharan Africa. He explained that over the years we have had successes and challenges. 

He made it clear that we could build a better Ghana through patriotism and national unity and thanked successful governments for contributing to a stable Ghana. 

Danso Boafo continued to explain that Ghana has experienced political and economic stability, earning dividends for our country as a result of the collective effort of the people. 

He believed the government will continue to enhance electoral process and the building of strong institutions. 

The positive growth of the economy was praised for making Ghana an attractive place for investments. Ghana, he continued, provides a peaceful and secure business environment with one that provides good return on investment. 

He mentioned our economy had grown 14.4 % 2011 and 7.9% 2012 and was also proud to talk about our foreign investments.

Governments have implemented policies to drive forward the growth agenda of the government. This is to happen through expanded opportunities such as eduction, health, social security and protection of vulnerable.

The government is also looking into improving our infrastructure, ICT and reliable energy supply. 

I was really impressed to hear that the Ghana Professional School Database was being developed to help those who are interested in returning to Ghana to tap into employment opportunities there. I eagerly await details for that!

He also encouraged active participation from the diaspora through dialogue and practical engagements. 

Thanks were expressed to her Majesty's government and different organisations.

After the speech the networking and dancing began. 

I met some interesting people including a 26 year old future labour candidate ;-), A Minister Counsellor to the Embassy of Serbia, a journalist and an employee of a commonwealth organisation.

The evening was pleasant and lively. Good vibes and good people all around!

I enjoyed celebrating with Ghanaians and of course friends of Ghana.

A few pics....

Cilla, Me, Mavis! #MGUK #Akwaaba

Miss Ghana UK 2013

Can you spot me? I'm taking notes on my phone but it looks like i'm texting :/

The following day, in observation of Ghana's independence, an evensong service was held at Westminster Abbey. I went along to show my support. I have never been inside the Abbey, seeing the black and white tiles took me back to 1997, the year princess Diana died.

Although I was only a child, I still remember the sorrow I felt each time I watched the news. I have never met her but her death really did affect me. 

The service was a mixture of readings, prayer and song. The choir boys sang beautiful, honestly I know it's cliche to say but their voices were honestly ANGELIC. I wonder how one becomes a choir boy? 

The angel boys sang here

The High Commissioner read from the bible, we said a few prayers and it was time to go.

I met Professor Kwaku Danso-Boafo afterwards to greet him and I guess to say goodbye! For those of you that don't know he will be leaving his post as High Commissioner! Sad because I thought he was cool!

Professor and myself (excuse the fuzziness - camera man :-( ) 

I ended my celebrations with more hope for Ghana. I am optimistic and hope in some way I can contribute to the positive change.

Nana Akufo Addo comes to London

I'm not very politically inclined especially when it comes to Ghana. I know what I know because of my dad. He's really into Ghanaian politics and is usually found listening to a Ghanaian radio station getting involved in whatever it is they are debating. He can speak passionately about the subject and if it wasn't for him I would have thought NDC (The National Demographic Congress) was a new name for a brand of mobile phone. I do have some kind of interest. I obviously know the lineage of our presidents and what parties they are from. I take an active interest when the elections are running too. My favourite president so far has been Kuffour. Not because he is Asante/Ashanti or a member of NPP (The New Patriotic Party), I just liked his demeanour, the way he portrayed himself, the intelligence with which he carried his speeches, the way he rocked with his kente outfits. I felt a sense of pride when I saw him. Even at the Queens event  to celebrate Ghana independence at 50,  I didn't see him trying too hard to impress our western counterparts. He was simply himself and people liked that.

On the 3rd of March, I went to the Brunei Suite, School Of Oriental Studies and African Studies, University of London to listen to a talk entitled Ghana 57 years after 1957. 

A little background history is needed here, Kwame Nkrumah, for those of you who may not know, was Ghana's first president. He along with Ahmed Sékou Touré, Haile Sellasie and Jomo Kenyatta, were active activists of the Pan African Movement. I see them as great men who fought to put Africa on the political map without the help of the west. Ghana was the first sub - Saharan African country to gain independence from Britain. He had high hopes for Ghana and the whole continent. He fought to stand up for Africa.  I've quoted some of his speech below.

"At long last, the battle has ended!  And thus, Ghana, your beloved country is free forever!

And yet again, I want to take the opportunity to thank the people for this country; the youth, the farmers, the women who have so nobly fought and won the battle.

Also, I want to thank the valiant ex-service men who have so cooperated with me in this mighty task of freeing our country from foreign rule and imperialism.

And, as I pointed out… from now on, today, we must change our attitudes and our minds.  We must realise that form now on we are no longer a colonial but free and independent people.

But also, as I pointed out, that also entails hard work.  That new Africa is ready to fight his own battles and show that after all the black man is capable of managing his own affairs".

Kwame Nkrumah - 6th March 1957

Listen to the full speech here 

He started something big. If he were to see the state that Ghana is in now would he be happy? It's been 57 years since Ghana's independence and what do we have to show for it? We are still suffering, we are still getting help from the west and yes although we have come a long way, there is still a lot to be done. 

Chaired by Lord Paul Boateng, the panel for the discussion consisted of Nana Akufo Addo (NPP presidential candidate) Hannah Tetteh,  the Ghanaian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Michael Amoah and Manji Cheto. 

Dr Michael Amoah

Dr Michael Amoah  asked the question 'How do we get to where we should be? He compared Ghana to an illness ( in a positive way)  - Ghana sneezed everyone caught the cold :-) 
Which is true, take for example Patrice Lumumba. He knew that the west were trying to do when it came to his beloved Congo! He like Nkrumah wasn't having any of it.
Dr Amoah then went on to talk about businesses in Ghana. In the African Report conducted in 2013, Out of 500, a Ghanaian company was listed as the 241st top company to work for? What!!!! It's surprising seeing as there is a lot of growth and potential in Ghana.

Dr Amoah continued saying that we need to have a plan despite the political party that is leading? Politicians have one year for campaigning, 2 years to do 'something' and then the final year is about campaigning again! I thought that was pretty brave seeing as Nana Akufo Addo was only two seats away from where he was.

Nana Akufo Addo

Next up was the man of the moment, Nana Akufo Addo, He graciously thanked all his contributors and mentioned that  Paul Boateng was a fellow Akyem brother. 

"Ghana achieved independence peacefully and became the hope of Africa".

He acknowledged that we are now a digital world and focussed on youth unemployment and a failed education system. He spoke about hypocrisy and said that after all the 'daily prayers' and 'finger pointing' why is it we accept bribes? Our appearance is important, we must be seen to be building a Ghana for all nations. Africa is one of the youngest continents with 16.5 million people below the age of 30. He stressed that if we plan well we can do well. 
Akufo Addo continued to explain that we as a country are importing from the west and east but we also need to remember to add value to what we do, whether in agriculture, arts, tourism etc the path to prosperity is to gain skills to make things! He mentioned that Ghana has what it takes to develop progressive economic policies.  Infrastructure was addressed - apparently we need 2 billion dollars to meet our infrastructure problems. 2 billion?! How many 0s in billion??

Akofo Addo ended by saying  there is a lot that is right about Ghanaians and Ghana. We are a democratic nation with God fearing people. We have a positive international image residing in a continent that is slowly being taken seriously. Fortunately for us, different ethnicities does not divide us as Ghanaians. We have religious differences too that are accepted.
He ended by saying God bless Ghana and God bless Africa.

I admired his positiveness and his acceptance of what was wrong. He was a delight to watch and pretty funny too, making the audience laugh countless times.

Hannah Tetteh

Hannah Tetteh, who is  the Minister of Foreign Affairs in Ghana. Tetteh started with a powerful statement that addressed why we were all there...
She stated that "We need to create a Ghana that our forefathers strived to achieve To achieve transformation we have to ask where are we today".

She continued by stating that In 2009 we became a middle income country.  She observed that whilst a lot of people talk about oil in Ghana, countries such as  Nigeria, Angola and Equatorial Guinea produce more oil in quantities that we can't even compare with. We therefore have to be realistic. Oil and gas has contributed as has the services sector (especially with the increase of tourism). She explained the importance of developing the Manufacturing Industry too. It isn't good enough to produce factories. We also need to invest in the supply chain. This will give Ghana an opportunity to compete globally. Even if one if manufacturing for local production. It has to be good! Tetteh like Addo expressed the importance of investing in infrastructure. She mentioned the unreliable work of the West African gas pipeline and suggested that proper investment should be made in the Jubilee pipe line We need to create power in order to eradicate DUMSOR (a reference to the on and off power supple situation in Ghana). Tetteh ended by talking about the importance of education and young people. The quality of information should be improve so that it's not only the Wesley Collegers and Achiomatan's, (those from privileged schools) that become achievers.

Manji Cheto

Manji Cheto is Political Risk Analyst specialising in West Africa. She posed the question - "What are the global realities"?  The private sector is needed to progress Ghana. It may not be something that is liked but it important to have foreign partnership. 
Cheto continued by commending Akufo Addo for taking NDC to court, like Dr Amoah, she was passionate about the fact that we have to forget the politics NDC v NPP and work out a serious plan. Trust is important and within that statement she said many promises have been made but have been broken. The Ghana Investment Fund for example. A great idea but where is it? 

The session finished with questions and answers from the audience which was informative but annoying at the same time. Paul Boateng clearly indicated that due to the lack of time people should go straight to their questions. Did that happen? No! I'm not sure whether it is a Ghanaian thing but people felt that they had to commence their questions with an elongated and pointless comment. Why? Ask your question chale, get straight to the point!

One question did stand out to me and it was something I myself wanted to ask...

Education was mentioned a lot but how else are the youth being helped? How will they be integrated into the working world? Some people in Ghana don't even know how to write a CV and we expect to compete globally? 

Hannah Tetteh responded by saying there are a lot of initiatives for entrepreneurs but not everyone is an entrepreneur and the government is not there to help everyone.  She's right yes not everyone is an entrepreneur and it's silly to expect the government to help everyone. I do however believe initiatives don't have to be focussed on the potential entrepreneurs.  There are many ways in which the youth can be helped in Ghana. Creating workshops to learn about employment for one is a start. Or even enhancing a child's artistic talent through free art or music classes? Thats how we can compete. Developing what the youth already have. 

An interesting evening!