MISCONCEPTION OF GHANAIAN INDEPENDENCE.

Independence defined as gaining self rule from a colonial master in order for one to control its internal and external affairs and its people to elect its own leaders has lost its total meaning in Ghana.In order for the government or people to use the day of celebrating independence to plan for the nation in order to be self reliant and manage its own affairs,many people see to it as a national holiday-even though it is-and a day of going to see people march but not for the improvement of the nation.

Ever since the struggle for political independence ended,which began actively in the 1800's after the slave trade,the Ghanaian started actively, towards building a self-reliant and dependent nation under the leadership of the first president,Dr Kwame Nkrumah,in the first republic.He started with the vision and intention of making Ghana free economically and also be very industrious in order to control its vast resources.This dream has been faded out since his enthronement and the successive governments who lacked leadership skills but power conscious have not been able to work to perfection to attain his dream.

Many Ghanaians had all kinds of conceptions or hopes about the independence they gained from the British.They were,however, not aware that what the independence would bring to them depended on their abilities,knowledge,expertise,characters,attitudes and other relevant things required for developing a country and making its independence really meaningful .The lack of awareness of such matters led them to misconstrue,that is have a wrong idea of, the implication of independence.

Our African political leaders became conscious of power after the departure of the British colonial masters.They were very authoritative and always wanted to dictate to others.In the use of power they did not tolerate what those in opposition had to say even though it might be useful in the governance of the country.They considered it as bogus and baseless with no facts.One of Nkrumah's famous statement already referred to as:''Seek ye first the political kingdom and all other things shall be added unto you'' made people think that with the achievement of independence everything good will follow.But Ghanaians soon came to realize that it was not so and that political independence was indeed only a means to development and economic well-being not at all an end.

Others decided to adopt a 'laissez-faire' attitude towards work.A 'laissez-faire' attitude to work is an attitude to work which is not satisfactory.People work as they like as they feel no matter how they work they would be paid.During colonial era employees worked hard and were productive,they worked under the strict orders and supervision and control of their managers,most of whom were whites,who insisted on discipline and commitment to work.Nkrumah once uttered a slogan,which is:''Work and Happiness'',meaning that to be happy you must work hard.Some workers heeded his advice but others cared less thinking that independence would bring them their fortunes whether they work hard or not.

To shift to another keen factor,which has made people to misunderstand the true meaning of independence is the dependence on foreign nations.We depend so much on foreign nations to the extent that people have accepted that foreign goods are better than the goods they produce thereby making them 'brain drilled'.They now have the concept that no matter what they produce the masses will not buy.We also being controlled over what we own shows our ignorance of controlling our own affairs.All the gold,diamond,timber and cocoa are been sold at 'dictated' prices as set by the whites.Now we have oil,how sure are we that we will not do this same mistake and we rather giving the price as to how we would like to sell.

In the celebration of the 52nd anniversary of independence in my peaceful and united country,I saw no changes in the past mistakes our leaders and people did as people laid down at ease at their comfortable homes and also others went to see people march and not listen to the address that the president will make.To my surprise the president gave no speech on how we would come off depending on others and planning to attain self reliance and increase in productivity for the improvement of living in those in the country.

To end it all, the independence of Ghana has become meaningless as it has not led to total liberation of the African continent.I hope with this,those who will in turn read and understand would decide own how best to make my country and theirs more vigilant,active and make the attainment of political independence a meaningful one.