Editorial: Kufuor's sparkling star

For the first time in the 51 years of the African Nations Cup, the whole world was tuned in. The opening ceremony was an excellent display of the beauty, diversity and originality of Ghanaian cultures and creativity.

It was an exhibition that made every African living everywhere proud. It was a show that to many millions of tourists out there gave Ghana away as the tourist destination discovery of the year.

Who would have thought six/seven years ago that Ghana would have found about a quarter of a million dollars to put up or fix four modern stadiums, purchase vehicles, and do all the ancillary stuff that has made this tournament the success story that is unfolding.

President John Agyekum Kufuor deserves a lot of commendation for pulling this off. To build two brand new stadia and complete major renovations of another two, all within 18 months is a feat that was unknown to Ghana since the collapse of the First Republic.

The bigger message from Ghana's preparation for CAN 2008 is that if this country and her people set their minds to do something and mobilise the resources for it, they can do it.

President Kufuor has brought back to Ghanaians the winning spirit of old. The confidence of a nation that was forced to decay under decades of oppression and suppression of entrepreneurship has been revived.

The Black Star has begun to twinkle. What this international tournament has done is to show us not only what we are capable of achieving but how much more we need to do to get to where we need to go. The BBC has been at their best - telling the story to the rest of the world and at the same time confirming to the world how poor the masses of our country are.

We should not be disappointed. When the South Africans say that in Tamale they have no where to go shopping they are speaking an ordinary truth. When the Black Stars visited that small town, Wursburg, of about 120,000 in Germany during the World Cup two years ago, the players, journalists etc could still find big shops to buy fashionable clothes.

There is a lot of work to be done to spread the nation's development. This tournament has ensured some $60 million investment in Tamale. If we can repeat such quantum of investments for specific projects every year in the Northern Region for the next ten years, for example, we can bring a lot of positive changes to the area and its people.

Certainly, President Kufuor has shown to Ghana what is possible. The task ahead is to use this energy to drive Ghana and her people to further heights.

The Black Stars may win this tournament or may come out at the knock-out stages. Whatever happens, so long as Ghana puts up a successful tournament the Black Star has won.

The country is in responsible hands. President Kufuor and his team of competent men and women have made sure of that. The task for the next eleven months or so is for those in the team to maintain the honesty and integrity of their intellectual firepower; to keep faith with their principles and to continue sacrificing for the ultimate wellbeing of every Ghanaian.

For our part, The Statesman will enhance its capacity to project the wonderful work that has made President Kufuor Ghana?s most successful leader since 1957 and the Danquah-Busia tradition?s most successful leader since 1947.

But, we shall also plead with our friends to also be tolerant with some of our criticisms. Yes, the tone may be harsh at times. But, the mark of a rounded politician is how well they take a criticism well-meant.

The ultimate interest is to keep Kufuor?s star sparkling for it to enlighten every dwelling in this country. It may be fitting for the President to rename the Flagstaff House, Black Star House. A well deserving way to mark the sparkling revival of a star that is uniquely black with more than a twinkle.