VP's Independence Day Speech: Text & Audio

Audio

Forty-Five years ago today 6th March, our beloved country attained independence. We are gathered here to celebrate this historic event. This day constitutes our national heritage and is a source of pride for us all as Ghanaians. The day reminds us of the enormous and priceless sacrifices that our forefathers made to achieve this freedom for us. On a day like this, we pay tribute to these great men and women, especially the famous 'Big Six', the last of whom Dr. Ako Adjei - passed away recently. May His soul rest in Peace.

We also remember the significant role played by our gallant ex-servicemen, our traditional leaders and rulers, farmers and the youth in the struggle for our independence. We are obliged to honour these heroes.

But beyond that, we are also obliged by our sense of responsibility to ensure that the ideals for which they sacrificed their comfort and even lives are not abandoned. We need not only revisit these ideals but cultivate, nurture and sustain them for the good of our country.

Ghana at 45 years as an independent nation has come a very long way even though life has not been very easy. We have had some good times and very bad times too. There were times when it appeared as though this nation was going to crumble. But God led us through them all. As we celebrate this day, we want to count our blessings. We want to thank the Almighty God for His goodness and for His mercies.

Indeed, we should celebrate this day for the gift of our motherland, Ghana; for the peace in the nation and for our rekindled hopes. This is the day that marked off the boundaries and brought us together as one nation and one people. This is a day that all Ghanaians, irrespective of our political, religious, regional and ethnic inclinations should be proud of and cherish.

It is obvious that the political leaders of our independence struggle, had a great picture of this country in view when they embarked on the struggle for independence. They envisaged a modern state of a happy, disciplined, hardworking, united and a peaceful people. A country with very high democratic credentials; a country where the rule of law prevails; a country of freedom and justice.

Their hopes were and continue to be justified even today considering who we are, and what this country has been blessed with in terms of resources. This country surely could have been a better place today. But Alas we are nowhere near what our forefathers hoped for us.

The reasons for our present circumstances are well known to most of us: Poor management of our resources; poor maintenance culture, corruption, greed, selfishness and abuse of power. These and many other vices have adversely affected this country and rendered us less developed and poor.

With the support of all Ghanaians, the government has embarked on reviving and revamping structures for national development. Our goal is to reduce the pain and suffering of our people, make it possible for every Ghanaian to live a decent life and usher our country into a new age of prosperity.

The thrust of our effort last year was on the economy; to stem inflation, control the decline of the cedi, and generally restore some sanity into the economy. The year 2002 is the year of action and results and we are determined to make a difference in the lives of the people.

There is however one disturbing factor that may very well constitute the biggest threat yet to our democracy and development effort. It is the problem of indiscipline. At the Peoples' Assembly held at the Accra International Conference centre here in Accra, the issue of indiscipline was raised.

Since then, many things have happened to justify the concern and to awaken many more people to the threat of this monster. It is re-assuring that the theme for this year's independence celebration "Discipline, An Essential Tool for National Development", is not only appropriate but also very timely.

Today, intolerance, impatience and violence, which are all offspring of indiscipline, have taken hold of many Ghanaians. Everywhere you go one is bound to notice some acts of indiscipline; in the Schools, Universities, in the hospitals, on our roads, at workplaces, in the markets and even in the forests.

Reckless driving with its resultant accidents is now the norm rather than the exception. Students no longer want to be under any authority. They decide when to go for evening studies or entertainment and when to close. They want to regulate their own behaviour on the campuses. Developers put up structures anywhere without regard to town planning regulations. People litter the street, degrade the forests and do whatever pleases them.

The situation whereby people set aside laid down rules and regulations and take the law into their own hands just because they have been inconvenienced in one way or the other is a clear indication of gross indiscipline that must be nipped in the bud.

We all get inconvenienced from time to time. Even Government, with all its majority and state machinery behind it, is sometimes inconvenienced. But that is no reason why we should take the law into our own hands.

Democracy strives on the rule of law. In a democratic dispensation we all agree to put our faith in the hands of the law and those mandated to interpret the law. So it does not matter how strong or influential you are, it is the law that must prevail. Your ability to submit to the law irrespective of you physical strength or area of influence is a mark of discipline and your democratic inclination.

Let us use this occasion to commit ourselves to fighting indiscipline in our society. This is a clarion call on the good people of this country to join in the crusade. It is an invitation to Church Pastors, Muslim Chiefs and our Traditional rulers. Teachers, the Media and all professionals to rise up against this monster called "INDISCIPLINE". On a personal note, I am pledging to be fully involved in this crusade and in the next few days I hope to be engaged in meetings with various groups I call "Crusade Partners" as my personal commitment to fighting indiscipline.

We congratulate all assembled here; the security services, the school children, market women, all groups of workers and voluntary organizations, for your smart turn out this morning. The impressive march past encourages us all and injects a new sense of confidence in us. I have no doubt that with determination we can pull this country out of its present difficulties.

To our friends of the international community, we say thank you for standing by us. We implore you to keep faith with us. We on our part will continue to play our role as a responsible nation in the community of nations. We shall support all efforts aimed at uniting our people and for bringing them peace.

Let us wish ourselves a happy independence celebration. Long Live Ghana.

Thank you and May God Bless us all.