The forbidden independence

Ama Ghana: Kofi, Ghana’s 56th independence celebration was wow!

Kofi Ghana: Of course, it was colourful and more nationalistic in character but we shouldn’t be dissuaded just by these. It is time we celebrated real progress in at least some of the major fields of our economy. Mere celebration is cheap!

Ama Ghana: Oh, Kofi, but can’t we celebrate the little-by-little progress we are making? Did you hear what our President said? “Change does not come overnight.”

Kofi Ghana: Ah, Ama, give me a break. The converse of that statement is also true. Change takes time but mere passage of time does not guarantee positive change. Methuselah died at age 969 but have you bothered to find out his life achievements? Compare his 969 years and achievements with that of Jesus. Change is always neutral.

Ama Ghana: What do you think we must focus more on as a nation?

Kofi Ghana: We must reassess what we mean by independence, and be intentional and sincere in our positive change expedition.

Ama Ghana: But it is a common knowledge that we are politically independent and are now striving to achieve real economic independence.

Kofi Ghana: Ama, remember that common things are always common to the commoner. But common things usually do not have value unless it is a necessity. Ama Ghana: Kofi perhaps I am not getting you well so educate me.

Kofi Ghana: Have you ever wondered what will happen to a star if it detaches itself from the firmament; a fish if it attempts to live on the land forever; and a blind person who forsakes his rod or shepherd forever?

Ama Ghana: That star will become a shooting star; the fish will die and that blind person will struggle to walk or lack direction.

Kofi Ghana: That is an excellent answer. Many Ghanaians are intelligent as you are and even better. But not so many of them have taken the pains to rethink our independence. Political and economic independence may be good but they are not the main issue.

Ama Ghana: Kofi, what then is the main issue? I am getting lost.

Kofi Ghana: See me in chambers if you cannot still make it out.

Richard Obeng Mensah, author of Persecutions are Promotions. Email: richardobengmensah@gmail.com. Blog: www.richard-obeng-mensah.blogspot.com