President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo says Ghanaians cannot continue to blame the colonial masters for their deplorable state of affairs and underdevelopment after 60 years of political independence.

He insisted there can be no excuses and that Ghanaians must work together to reverse the negative trend of too many people continuously wallowing in unacceptable poverty.

“After sixty years, we have run out of excuses and it is time to set Ghana to rights and get our country to where it should be.

“The challenge before us is to build our economy and generate a prosperous, progressive and dignified life for the mass of our people. Hard work, enterprise, creativity and a consistent fight against corruption in public life would bring the transformation we seek,” he said.

President Akufo-Addo,, Commander-in-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces, made the comments when he addressed the 60th Independence Anniversary parade at the Black Star Square in Accra Monday March 6, 2017.

The Diamond Jubilee was graced by Heads of State and representatives from other African countries, Ministers of State, Members of Parliament, members of the diplomatic corps as well as religious and traditional leaders.

President Akufo-Addo pointed out that the country will only achieve the desired results only when the people are united with a common destiny.



“We will achieve these goals when we move and act as a united people. We must take pride in our diversity by all means, but the Ghanaian must always rise above the ethnic or sectional interest.

“We have a bright future and we must mobilize all our resources and all our strengths, here and in the Ghanaian Diaspora, to get to that Promised Land faster,” President Akufo-Addo urged.

He expressed optimism that with unity of purpose, Ghana can achieve the dreams of her forebears.

“I have confidence that we can and will achieve the dreams of our forebears. I am hopeful that we will continue to make ourselves worthy inheritors of this land. I know that we will wear the accolade of being a Ghanaian with pride.

“Let us mobilize for the happy and prosperous Ghana of tomorrow, in which all of us, including our youth, our women and the vulnerable in our society, will have equal opportunities to realise their potential, and build lives of dignity. Then, our independence will be meaningful. Then, we will have a Ghana beyond aid,” President Akufo-Addo prayed.