Founder’s Day: We Face Forward, But Are We Moving?

Ghana observes Founder's Day, and while many will enjoy the opportunity to relax and spend time with loved ones, I find myself contemplating what this day truly demands from us. We can share images of Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, repeat his words, wear our national colors, and express pride in our history of independence. However, we must also critically evaluate what we have done with the freedom, responsibility, and possibilities granted to us. Otherwise, Founder's Day may become a holiday celebrated without its meaning challenging us.

As both an American and a Ghanaian, I have experienced Ghana from both perspectives. Living in the country has made me examine my identities in ways I might not have otherwise. I appreciate what other nations have achieved without believing Ghana must emulate them. I love Ghana without pretending everything is functioning correctly. Loving a country necessitates enough courage to question it, commitment to work for it, and honesty to acknowledge when we contribute to its problems.

Dr. Nkrumah's enduring declaration, "We face neither East nor West; we face forward," remains relevant more than six decades later. This forward-looking statement does not mean waiting for external entities to decide development for Ghana or Africa. It also does not mean assessing our worth based on foreign funding or the number of international organizations validating our ideas.

Rather, it necessitates Africans to conceive, construct, govern, produce, educate, innovate, and ultimately accept responsibility for the continent.

Partnership with international allies is valuable, but dependency is not the same. A financial contribution should not grant intellectual authority to dictate community needs, development paths, or success. Nkrumah emphasized that Ghana's independence would hold no meaning unless the entire African continent became free and united. Our generation must continue defining what meaningful independence entails in the twenty-first century.

Political independence granted us the authority to shape our future, but it did not ensure we would construct the systems to secure it. Our young people represent one of the clearest examples where this work must occur. Praising Africa for its youthful population is not enough. A young population lacking quality education, opportunity, mentorship, employment, skills, capital, and a path to ownership can quickly turn into a frustrated one.

We cannot continue saying young people are tomorrow's leaders while excluding them from meaningful participation today.

Government efforts are commendable, with initiatives such as the National Coders Programme, National Apprenticeship Programme, Adwumawura, and investments in research and innovation. However, government programs alone cannot create the Ghana we desire. Families, educators, businesses, professionals, traditional leaders, religious institutions, civil society organizations, communities, and young people all have responsibilities. National development cannot be outsourced to the Presidency.

Agriculture, in particular, presents a significant challenge. For years, we have claimed agriculture as Ghana's backbone, yet our treatment of farmers does not always reflect this importance. The future Ghanaian farmer should involve technology, research, irrigation, and climate-smart practices.