—Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, at the old Polo Grounds on Independence Day, March 6th, 1957
And thence…
“Ayawaso-West-Wuogon contingent……mark time: left-right, left-right, left-right, left-right………………”
“La-Dadekotopon contingent…………..slow march: left [pause] right, left [pause] right, left [pause] right……..”
“Osu-Salem schools contingent, quick march………”
[drums roll]
“Ablekuma-South contingent ………eeeeeeyyyyyeeeeessssss……. right!”
“HALT!”
Independence Day celebrations in Ghana have always been characterized by military-style parades and marches reminiscent of colonial days. Last year, striking teachers threatened to disrupt the ‘March Past’ programs by withdrawing from rehearsals with students in their respective towns. Their action was driven by demands for an increase in their salaries. However, a few weeks before the main event, after several ‘crisis’ meetings and discussions with government officials, the strike was called off. A ‘placebo’ solution was found. The teachers returned to the rehearsals, resulting in another ‘successful’ march-past parade.
This raises several questions:
- Apart from wage increases, what else might compel people to question the perpetuation of military-style parades as our means of celebrating independence?
- Have we ever stopped to consider what it is that we are even celebrating when we celebrate?
- If we claim to be celebrating our independence, can we collectively say that we are truly independent?
- From whom are we independent?
- What is the nature of true independence?
- What are the real implications of our national slogan: “Freedom and Justice”?
- Why aren’t we celebrating through means other than those used by the colonials?