Political analysts, and ordinary people alike, inclined to questioning the need for Ghana’s independence in 1957 and the resulting anti-colonialist waves that swept black Africa at the turn of the last century, usually make a parody of Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah’s statement: ‘seek ye the Political Kingdom’ and all others shall be added unto you. They assert that in the case of Ghana, and by extension Africa, the opposite has been the case: We sought independence from foreign rule (the so-called Political Kingdom) but sadly all other things were subtracted from us.
Justifiably so, such critics point to the current deplorable, corrupt and downright chaotic state of African affairs. Using economic and cultural slavery as support plank, there is a reasonable reason to admit that the somewhat biblically improvised prophecy of Dr. Nkrumah, the man who booted the British out of Ghana and oiled the wheels of Independence struggles throughout Africa, has in fact come to naught.
But His Excellency Paul Yaw Essel, the Ghana High Commissioner to Australia, thinks otherwise. He believes Dr. Nkrumah’s optimistic assertion, although has seen so many setbacks, is very much alive and working. The seasoned diplomat seems to have reasoned that since Nkrumah did not place a timeline on when the ‘all other things’ shall be added, it would be hasty to say his prophecy has not yielded any fruit.
To the High Commissioner, Ghana is in fact making an enviable name internationally and is on a high pedestal in a land far from continental Africa. He believes that the Ghanaian spirit inspired during periods of Independence struggles still lingers on and Dr. Nkrumah’s vision for Ghana is still far from political sunset. He announced this honest appraisal of his country when he delivered his Independence Speech in Sydney, Australia, to mark the 54th Independence Anniversary of Ghana.
At the parked venue, and delighted by the number of Ghanaians present, the majority of whom were young people, the High Commissioner was quick to recognize how special and fortunate Ghana has been in the geopolitics of Africa. The High Commissioner added that since he assumed office as the representative of His Excellency President J. E. A. Mills, he is as yet to receive any report regarding a Ghanaian being at the punitive end of the law. On this ground, and on behalf of President Mills, he applauded Ghana’s citizens in the Diaspora for their good conduct, urged them to continue to be law-abiding residents of Australia and “worthy ambassadors of Ghana”.
Answering a question by an Australian Press regarding what Ghana has achieved over the last 54 years, the representative of the Ghana Government emphatically answered “if nothing at all, we have kept the fabric of Ghana intact” considering the fact that elsewhere on the continent and in the West African sub region, countries have been thrown into the abyss of civil war thence having their national fabrics broken. This he said has been the outgrowth of the spirit of tolerance on the part of the Ghanaian, and the path chosen by his dear country to give credence to the rule of law and equality.
His Excellency also touched on Ghana’s bilateral relations with Australia and disclosed that for the first time, in 2010, Ghana’s Foreign Minister visited Australia. Ghana’s Hon Mohammed Mumuni had bilateral talks with his then Australian counterpart, the Hon Stephen Smith. Out of the talks which covered a number of interests ranging from human resource development, economic cooperation, food security, climate, and peace and security, emerged a draft Action Plan which at the moment is submitted to Accra for review and further action. The said action plan will raise unto the saddle Ghana’s bilateral relations with Australia.
It was also revealed that in 2010 the Australian government had granted Ghana eleven postgraduate scholarships. Moreover, in 2009 Ghana became the first African country to be added to the Australian Young Ambassadors for Development (AYAD) programme which has been in existence since 1998 in the Asia-Pacific region. Under this programme, he added, thirteen young Australians have visited Ghana to aid development agenda, and currently three other Australians are preparing to embark on a similar journey in April to work in the Agro-management industry, in the private sector and with UN organs like UNICEF. With Ghana’s mining industry receiving a boost with the advent of commercial oil, the High Commissioner mentioned that presently there are a number of Australian mining companies in Ghana.
Most delighted by these developments were the members of Ghana Youth Association Australia (GYAA) whose members filled the western Sydney Independence Day celebration venue. The news came as an affirmation the objective s of the group; uniting Ghana’s young in the Diaspora to make use of the relative advantage accorded them to their benefit and to champion the course of Ghana. This year’s celebration reminded members of GYAA that there is every reason on their part to work hard to keep their hard-earned reputation as Ghana’s future leaders.
Not only that, the High Commissioner went on to remind the young to think about how to contribute to development whether they intend to stay in Australia or Ghana. He was emphatic that they have every reason to be happy but urged them to work hard to advance Ghana as the star of Africa that she is.
The event which commenced with the singing of the national anthems of both Ghana and Australia saw series of competitions, ranging from Jumping Castles, Volleyballs, Sack and Egg races and Soccer Competitions. Of course the traditional March Past, typical of Ghana’s Independence Day celebration, was observed and the salute taken by His Excellency the High Commissioner on behalf of the President of Ghana.

But more striking was the elation, the uniqueness and the Ghanaian aspect of the event. The venue was painted red, gold and green, the spirit of children was charged, adults electrified and onlookers simply blown away by the Ghanaian way of things. One would wonder how Australians understood the import of the Ghanaian destiny so well.

The success of the event could, undoubtedly, be attributed to the combined efforts of the High Commissioner’s office in Canberra and the newly-elected executives of the Ghana Association of NSW under the leadership of Ms Franklyn MacBruce and Mr. Mohammed Haruna, being President and Vice President respectively. It must be added that the Ghana Association of New South Wales has also been applauded for taking on the ambitious Ghana Club House project which at the moment is making headways towards completion.

In the end of the competitions, the Ashantis emerged winners of the tribally-competed Ghana at 54 Soccer Tournament. The Fantis could not take the trophy to Cape Coast or Sekondi-Takoradi as they were the runners-up, having lost three goals to nil to the Ashantis. Thus, the trophy went to Kumasi, perhaps to the Manhyia Palace. The President of Ghana Association of NSW, Ms Franklyn Naakoshie MacBruce, presented the magnificent trophy embossed with Ghana’s Coat of Arms, to the Goalkeeper and Captain of the Ashanti Team.
As we wait for Ghana at 55 next year, it is clear that Ghana at 54 celebrations this year has been a foretaste of better things to come. And Ghanaians in Australia, united by a common identity, have vowed to lead the African struggle towards everything humanly positive.
And for Ghanaians the world over, there are so many additions to our national life by virtue of our hard work and sense of togetherness: Ghana being the first black African country to attain political independence in 1957; Ghana’s reputation as the oasis of peace and democracy, and beacon of hope in conflict-ridden Africa; the choice of US President Barrack Obama to visit Ghana in July 2009 and nowhere else in Africa south of the Sahara and more recently, in South Africa, Ghana being the only African country that could live up to the standard of international football.
For these, it is not out of place to say that as Ghanaians ‘we have pinned our colours as a democratic entity and set ourselves resolute on the path of democracy’ and sustainable development. These, the High Commissioner affirmed, are the reasons why Ghanaians must celebrate their achievement as a people and be proud.

Credits to:
Mohammed Sulemana (Youth Coordinator, Ghana Association of NSW and Acting President, Ghana Youth Association Australia) His contacts are msulemana.gyaa@gmail.com For more information about Ghana Association of NSW go to our website www.ghanaassociation.org.au