Today is Republic Day

Today Monday July 1 is Republic Day. A statutory public holiday.
1960 -Ghana is declared a republic; Nkrumah is President.
1969 - 2nd republic, Akuffo-Addo is President
1979 - 3^rd republic, Limann of PNP is President
1992 - Rawlings (NDC) is democratically elected as President
1996 - Rawlings (NDC) is re-elected,
2001 - Kuffour (NPP) is elected President

Political Parties Celebrate Republic Day

Today marks exactly 42 years after Ghana attained the status of a sovereign republic. The main national event for the commemoration of the day is a durbar at Somanya in the Eastern Region. It is being attended by President Kufuor and the visiting Burkinabe Leader Blaise Campoare. Political parties in the country have sent solidarity messages with a call on the government to institute certain measures aimed at moving the country forward.

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has called for a new economic culture where all citizens will be allowed to contribute to the development of the country irrespective of their political or ethnic affiliations.

The party says the time has come for people to be awarded contracts on the basis of merit and not because of their political connections.

Speaking to JOY FM in commemoration of Republic Day, the General Secretary of the NDC, Dr Nii Josiah Aryeh said the current government must streamline its operations such that equal opportunities will be given to every Ghanaian to help in nation building. He said the NDC as a social democratic party is committed to this ideal and believes that 42 years after attaining the status of a sovereign country a lot more remains to be done to consolidate Ghana?s democracy.

The People?s National Convention (PNC) has urged government to muster courage and deal with a number of issues it regards as issues of national interest.

The party is asking for an unconditional amnesty for all political prisoners and the re-introduction of agricultural inputs for farmers. It also urged government to check the perennial flooding and step up pressure on the fight against crime in the country.

The PNC expressed sadness that 42 years after laying a firm foundation towards the country?s economic emancipation, the country had become more economically dependent to the extent of being declared HIPC.

The Convention People?s Party for its part said July 1 would forever remain in the minds of Ghanaians, as the day when this country attained a full sovereign status under the leadership of Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, founder of the CPP and modern Ghana. " The quest for a Republican status was in fulfilment of the CPP government(quote)s commitment to achieving a major objective underpinning the declaration of independence in 1957."

A statement from the party said all Nkrumaists welcome the commitment to the establishment of the African Union as the only option that will take Ghana and Africa out of poverty, under development wars and subservience to external forces that still characterize the continent.

It expressed the hope that the sub-regional groupings such as Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Southern African Development Commission (SADC), Arab League and the current economic blueprint, New Economic Partnership for Economic Development (NEPAD) will not frustrate or slow down the pace of the continental unity. "The numerous factors that continue to hamper Africa's growth and development must be resolved quickly with a continental outlook to lift the continent out of its present gloom," the statement added.