As Ghana celebrates its 68th Independence Day, the National Democratic Congress Member of Parliament for Assin North, Mr James Gyakye Quayson, has emphasised the need for the country to decolonise its mindset, institutions, and policies.
In a statement commemorating the occasion, issued by Mr Quayson and copied to the Ghana News Agency, it reflected on the significance of Ghana’s independence.
It said: “We are not simply recognising a date on a calendar, rather, we are giving honor to the abundant courage, large resilience, and deep prescience of our forebears who fought for our freedom.”
The statement highlighted the importance of economic sovereignty, advocating for a collaborative African currency to reduce dependence on foreign monetary systems.
“A singular currency for West Africa, and eventually for the whole landmass, would strengthen trade, stabilise economies, and lessen reliance on previous colonial administrations,” it noted.
The statement quoted Mr Quayson as emphasising the need for unity within Africa’s armed forces, stating, “Ghana must lead all efforts to promote unity and a strong High Command for Africa; a command totally independent of external influences and which stands on its own and has the capability to protect our continent.”
It stressed the importance of promoting African languages and cultures, saying, “We need to work on elevating one of those languages into a common official status across Africa… Languages are not just a tool for communication but also form a solid foundation for our cultural identity and sources of pride.”
The statement urged Ghanaians to remember Dr Kwame Nkrumah’s vision of an independent and unified Africa, saying, “Let us work together, breaking borders, across ethnicities and cross generations to build a tall Africa speaking for itself and determining its own course.”