Ghana in the past few days, has celebrated a series of events: the 40th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between Ghana and the Holy See; Ecumenical and Inter-Faith Prayer Service during which the country was re-consecrated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus; and the 60th Anniversary of Ghana’s Independence.
These events organised by the Apostolic Nunciature, the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference and the Ghana at 60 Planning Committee respectively, are occasions for which we should all be proud as Ghanaians.
All the same, we have to reflect on the past, by focusing on the challenges and the way forward.
Ghana as a nation has had many success stories as well as setbacks in the past 60 years of Independence. There is no doubt that, 60 years in the life of any nation is worth celebrating.
As we continue with the year-long celebration of our Diamond Jubilee, The Catholic Standard thinks it is time Ghanaians forged ahead in unity for a prosperous and peaceful nation. We need to build on the good works of our Founding Fathers; otherwise posterity will not forgive us.
The 60th Anniversary parade held last Monday at the Black Star Square, was indeed very colourful, however, we are of the opinion that these parades could be held in such a way that they do not put undue pressure and suffering on the School children and the personnel of the Security Services who have to stand in the scorching sun for hours causing some of them to collapse.
The Catholic Standard suggests that in future, parades like this should be held early in the morning to avoid the scorching sun. There is also the need to reduce the duration for such programmes.
It seems there are always too many and over-elaborated activities packed in such programmes. We have to save time because as the saying goes- ‘time is money’.
The Catholic Standard would like to take this opportunity to commend President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo -Addo for bringing to the fore the issue of environment and sanitation in his 60th Anniversary Speech at the Black Star Square on Monday, March 6.
Touching on the subject of the environment, the President lamented the continued depletion of the country’s forest and water resources and the repercussions these have on our country.
The President stated: “We are endangering the very survival of the beautiful and blessed land that our forebears bequeathed to us. The dense forests that were home to varied trees, plants and fauna have been largely wiped out. Today, we import timber for our use, and the description of our land as a tropical forest no longer fits the reality. Our rivers and lakes are disappearing, and those that still exist are all polluted.”
As rightly stated by the President, we need to bear in mind that we do not own the land, but only hold it in trust for generations yet unborn. Indeed, we have a right to exploit the resources of the land and water bodies but we do not have the right to degrade the land and water bodies.
As we look to the future with hope, The Catholic Standard calls on Ghanaians to ask themselves what we can do for Ghana and not what Ghana can do for us to make our nation great and strong.
Finally, we thank the Holy Father, Pope Francis for sending His Eminence Giuseppe Cardinal Bertello, President of the Governorate of the Vatican City State as his Special Envoy to these events.
Long Live Ghana, Long Live the Catholic Church.
