- The Ghanaian President, John Kufuor, today led thousands of people in the Ghanaian capital, Accra, to celebrate Ghana's 50 years of independence. President Kufuor has lit the independence flame to throw Ghanaians festooned in national colours into total celebration at the Accra Independence Square.
The festivities, which line up for 12 months, cost the Ghanaian government US $20 million.
Ghana, a former colony of Britain, became the first sub-Saharan country to become independent on 6 March 1957. The country's late President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, who led Ghana to self rule, was overthrown in 1966.
Ghana's independence blew a wind of change in Africa, with many countries struggling to rule themselves. It is against this background that Africans still hold respect for Ghana and its citizens, especially Mr Nkumah who was keen in realising his dream to unite the entire Africa.
The event is graced by several heads of state and prominent people, including the Brazil-born black football icon, Pele and musician Stevie Wonder who is expected to unveil his composed "Happy Birthday Ghana."
The dignitaries include Presidents of South Africa, Zimbabwe and Nigeria – Thabo Mbeki, Robert Mugabe and Olusegun Obasanjo.
Thousands of Ghanaians living abroad also flew home to witness the colourful and symbolic event seen as deepening the unity, respect and joy between Ghanaians and other Africans.
However, Ghana's only surviving former President, Jerry John Rawlings, who ruled for two decades, refused to join the celebrations, despite several efforts by President Kufuor.
Since he left office in 2001, Mr Rawlings has been an arch critic of the Kufuor government. The existing bad blood between the two sometimes results to tensions in the country.
Mr Rawlings justified the reasons for snubbing the national event in a statement, arguing that he would not celebrate with "the same people who have taken every opportunity to denigrate us."
Officials of his party, National Democratic Congress, told a news conference yesterday that they would attend the event, despite being given short invitation.
Celebrations started in earnest at midnight when thousands of Ghanaians left their homes to participate in their country's most important day.
Accompanied by horses, President Kufuor who also doubles as the African Union Chairman was given a tumultuous welcome when he arrived at the parade grounds. After inspecting a guard of honour, Mr Kufuor delivered a speech for the red-lettered day.
He said 6 March 1957 independence had changed the image of the entire Africa, which is why the whole black continent has been thrown into celebration.
Mr Kufuor saluted the country's founding fathers, especially Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, first President of Ghana who headed the Convention People's Party.
The Chief Guest of Honour for the event, President Obasanjo, hailed Ghana's independence as timely because it had triggered stimulated 80 percent of African countries to attain self-rule ten years later.
The Nigerian President however blamed African countries for their failure to transform political independence into economic independence. Commending President Kufuor for his successes, Mr Obasanjo asked African leaders to him.
afrol News - It is called "financial inclusion", and it is a key government policy in Rwanda. The goal is that, by 2020, 90 percent of the population is to have and actively use bank accounts. And in only four years, financial inclusion has doubled in Rwanda.
afrol News - The UN's humanitarian agencies now warn about a devastating famine in Sudan and especially in South Sudan, where the situation is said to be "imploding". Relief officials are appealing to donors to urgently fund life-saving activities in the two countries.
afrol News - Fear is spreading all over West Africa after the health ministry in Guinea confirmed the first Ebola outbreak in this part of Africa. According to official numbers, at least 86 are infected and 59 are dead as a result of this very contagious disease.
afrol News - It is already a crime being homosexual in Ethiopia, but parliament is now making sure the anti-gay laws will be applied in practical life. No pardoning of gays will be allowed in future, but activist fear this only is a signal of further repression being prepared.
afrol News / Africa Renewal - Ethiopia's ambitious plan to build a US$ 4.2 billion dam in the Benishangul-Gumuz region, 40 km from its border with Sudan, is expected to provide 6,000 megawatts of electricity, enough for its population plus some excess it can sell to neighbouring countries.
front page
| news
| countries
| archive
| currencies
| news alerts login
| about afrol News
| contact
| advertise
| español