The Deputy Minister of Information, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has asked
Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom the Founder of the Progressive People’s Party (PPP), to render an apology to all Ghanaian school children for describing their
participation in the Independence celebration as ‘torture’ and physical agony.
Papa Kwesi Nduom is reported to have said in a statement issued to
commemorate Ghana’s 55th anniversary that he would never put
school-children to 'torture' on Independence Day should he become
President of the Republic of Ghana.
Papa Kwesi Nduom minced no words in
describing the independence anniversary as a 'ritual' incorporating a
selected few while the masses looking on.
His statement comes in the light of the reported death of a 14 year old
student of the Ho SDA after a parade rehearsal for the Independence Day
march last week.
In the said statement, Dr Nduom berated ruling parties for flaunting
their wealth and abusing the anniversary celebration, whilst the
minority parties “frown” at the fringes.
“I will set an example for the nation to follow by hosting events that
bring a cross-section of our people including leadership of all
political parties, religious and traditional groups…I will stop the
torturing of our school children on Independence Day when I become the
President of the Republic of Ghana. I will make it a day of joy and
celebration of our people and turn it into an opportunity to promote
patriotism.”
“Somehow we have made independence celebration an occasion for our
soldiers, police and prison officers, customs and immigration officers
and school children to stand in the hot Ghanaian sun and march past
state officials. The rest of us at best look on and enjoy another day
away from work. The day has also become one for people whose party is in
power to show off while those in opposition frown as they look on. A
day that should bring us all together has become one for partisan
demonstration. The sense of belonging to one nation with one people
having a common destiny has been lost. And we have turned to our school
children and their teachers to march and march and march as if that will
pay for the divisive acts of our leaders in power. This must stop. I
have the will to stop all of this as President of the Republic,” the PPP
Founder said.
But some government officials seemed nettled by his remarks.
Deputy Information Minister, Okudzeto Ablakwa, wants the Papa Kwesi Nduom to
retract his earlier comments. When Ablakwa was speaking on a programme, he pointed out that school-children really cherish
and always look forward to such parades and exempting them from the
celebrations will be grossly unfair.
“I think that that statement must be retracted and Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom
must apologise to the millions of children in this country who have
participated and who hold certificate and who indeed look at that day as
their most proud moment…I have heard many commentators reduced the
commemoration of Ghana’s independence to only what happens at the
Independence Square and I think that kind of position is very ignorant,
uninformed and it’s not supported by the facts…,” he said.
According to Ablakwa, if the country is to pay tribute and celebrate
its forbearers, it beats his understanding why a leading politician like
Dr. Nduom should be advocating for something like this.
“…instead of calling the parade torture, he should rather offer
suggestions which will help in preventing students from fainting...,” he
added.
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