REASON WHY I SMILED ON 57th INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEB
It was Ghana's 57th Independence Day "celebration",YES.The heavy rains almost disrupted the annual parade,YES.
Despite the downpour,thousands of people thronged the black star square to commemorate the day,personally not too sure what was worth celebrating,though.
The rains dealt a bitter blow to the kids who were enthusiastic in their quest to participate in the annual march pass.
They got beaten all square by the heavy downpour after their long travels to the parade venue that morning.
Trust many of the kids to catch a "flu" or health condition after today's experience.
For me,there was nothing to celebrate as a country on this day,and many others shared my opinion.
The only positive however for Joe and many of his friends,was the opportunity to rake in a few Ghana cedis at the square at a time like this.
Joe is a fifteen year-old boy,who has come along with his brother's 4ft mixed amber black and white male horse to the square as a mobile tourist attraction.
It was still raining,people who wanted to take photographs or ride on the horse back had to pay one Ghana cedi to do so,despite the waters.I had to pay him to get some pictures too.Joe was still
It was Ghana's 57th Independence Day "celebration",YES.The heavy rains almost disrupted the annual parade,YES.
Despite the downpour,thousands of people thronged the black star square to commemorate the day,personally not too sure what was worth celebrating,though.
The rains dealt a bitter blow to the kids who were enthusiastic in their quest to participate in the annual march pass.
They got beaten all square by the heavy downpour after their long travels to the parade venue that morning.
Trust many of the kids to catch a "flu" or health condition after today's experience.
For me,there was nothing to celebrate as a country on this day,and many others shared my opinion.
The only positive however for Joe and many of his friends,was the opportunity to rake in a few Ghana cedis at the square at a time like this.
Joe is a fifteen year-old boy,who has come along with his brother's 4ft mixed amber black and white male horse to the square as a mobile tourist attraction.
It was still raining,people who wanted to take photographs or ride on the horse back had to pay one Ghana cedi to do so,despite the waters.I had to pay him to get some pictures too.Joe was still
shivering to teeth,his black armless shirt was heavy with water,but he was not perturbed.
[From the top of his head,he tells me he had made in excess of fifty cedis already.]
Apparently,he does this at the korlegornor beach-side every weekend.Visitors at the beach pay monies to have a ride and also take pictures.
Despite the not-too-positive state of the country,Joe is consoled by the fact that he would at least go home knowing that the day brought him quite an amount of money from his horse.He became my friend,we exchanged contacts,and while parting,he invited me to their base at the Korlegornor beach on Saturday.
I looked up the parade ground and saw many more young boys,some skillfully riding their bicycles,others skating in the water patches left in the wake of the rains.Then again I was curious,I got closer and it was no different from Joe's story.
[From the top of his head,he tells me he had made in excess of fifty cedis already.]
Apparently,he does this at the korlegornor beach-side every weekend.Visitors at the beach pay monies to have a ride and also take pictures.
Despite the not-too-positive state of the country,Joe is consoled by the fact that he would at least go home knowing that the day brought him quite an amount of money from his horse.He became my friend,we exchanged contacts,and while parting,he invited me to their base at the Korlegornor beach on Saturday.
I looked up the parade ground and saw many more young boys,some skillfully riding their bicycles,others skating in the water patches left in the wake of the rains.Then again I was curious,I got closer and it was no different from Joe's story.
A bicycle ride round the square was one cedi,while a 100m range skate distance was fifty pesewas.
I would have gone a round of skating at least,but for the rains and the unavailability of a trusted person to keep my valuables.
[They say to me,"it's normal business for us on such occasions here,the only opportunity for us to make money".]
Sadly though,they had not made as much,but were excited about a day like this.
National paraphernalia sale is another yearly activity at the square.
Very much so,some people had sold many miniature Ghana flags to patrons at the indece square at one Ghana each.Consider if one guy had sold 100 pieces,the amount he may have made on the day.
I'm particularly excited about the initiative of these young people,their determination and drive to take advantage of the indece day celebration to make some cash.
I would have gone a round of skating at least,but for the rains and the unavailability of a trusted person to keep my valuables.
[They say to me,"it's normal business for us on such occasions here,the only opportunity for us to make money".]
Sadly though,they had not made as much,but were excited about a day like this.
National paraphernalia sale is another yearly activity at the square.
Very much so,some people had sold many miniature Ghana flags to patrons at the indece square at one Ghana each.Consider if one guy had sold 100 pieces,the amount he may have made on the day.
I'm particularly excited about the initiative of these young people,their determination and drive to take advantage of the indece day celebration to make some cash.
If there is anything impressive about the Ghanaian that amazes me,it has got to be the desire to make something out of nothing.
Even in the pouring rain,the Ghanaian is charged up and busily making something happen at the parade grounds.
It then becomes disheartening if those at the top,who are supposed to make things happen,renege and for their parochial interests,leave the nation hanging in a balance.
Why can't Ghana work again?why can't our institutions work again?why can't our leaders be truthful and honest to/with us?If only they could put in a lot more effort,like the young boys and girls I met at today's 6th March parade,we would be better of,than we are momentarily.
These kids made me smile today,and if there's anything to remember about this day ,someday,it surely will not be the parade,not the disruption by the rain,not the president's speech,but the clear show of determination and desire by these children to do something for themselves.
Komla Adom-GIJ
kingsleykomla@gmail.com
www.kingsleykomla.blogspot.com
Twitter: @kingsley_komla
Komla Adom-GIJ
kingsleykomla@gmail.com
www.kingsleykomla.blogspot.com
Twitter: @kingsley_komla
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