…I pledge myself in all things
To uphold and defend the good name of Ghana
So help me God.
For generations, we have imbibed the National Pledge and the need to serve the country even at the peril of our lives. Almost all the patriotic songs we were taught as pupils had this element of the need to literally die for Ghana.
Throughout history, a lot of people have stood their ground and died in the process of serving Ghana. There are also those who did not lose their lives but denied themselves huge financial rewards just because they wanted to do what was just.
On June 13, Mrs. Theodosia Salome Okoh celebrated her 91st birthday, albeit on the quiet. Not many a fuss was made about the birthday of the woman who designed the Ghana flag: the red, gold and green with the black star superimposed on the gold.
You see, although she may have received honours in the past for her work, it would not have been out of place to have at least celebrated her life once more on that important occasion, when she is still alive. I know there are many out there who don’t even know about her, not to talk of whether she is dead or alive.
In some other countries, people who even achieved much less than what Mrs. Okoh achieved are well honoured and remembered while alive. Sadly, as it stands now, we have all forgotten about Mrs. Okoh, hoping to wake up one morning to news of her demise and government’s subsequent announcement of a “befitting” state burial. Pathetic!
There are thousands of Theodosia Okohs out there who have served their country diligently and the least we can possibly do is honour them yearly or on a regular basis, and let them know we still appreciate their efforts.
Quite often, we all continue to preach about patriotism and how fast it is eroding from the citizenry. However, what we ignore is that people are always quick to learn from how former heroes have been treated.
Just last month, one of Ghana’s finest sportsmen, Ignisious Gaisah, decided to switch allegiance and compete for the Netherlands. The reasons he cited were many, but the long and short of it is that this country is not worth dying for.
Like Gaisah, there are many who have switched their allegiance, and most often these persons were not even asking for extraordinary remuneration but only what was due them. In Gaisah’s case, he’s had to pay for his own cost of training and fly to competitions, only to come and fight the country to be reimbursed.
The damage done to Ghana by Gaisah’s decision to quit cannot only be viewed as a loss of a great sportsman. His decision will serve as a red flag for many foreign-based young athletes who could potentially have competed for the country.
Gaisah’s former national team mate, Margaret Simpson, bemoaned the sort of treatment they have had to endure in the hands of our Athletics Association. According to her, Gaisah’s decision was long overdue. It is hard to see Gaisah and co. advising upcoming athletes to compete for the nation due what they themselves have witnessed.
There are many other professionals who have silently switched their allegiance to countries where they would be received and treated properly. The danger here is that, the problem is getting worse and as a country we are not doing enough to stem the decline.
The problems about the rising levels of corruption and other forms of indiscipline and many others could well be attributed our lack of nationalism or patriotism. Many treat the affairs of the country with contempt and disdain. The civil service has been at the receiving end of such disservice.
I know many people who would not think twice to switch nationality. There are also so many who would even go to the great extent of crossing the Sahara desert to get away from this country of ours.
You see, as people volunteer to die for their country, they need to know that country has got their back. The government must show that it cares about its citizens, especially in times of trouble. If Ghanaians were willing to die a little for their people, like the United States of America does, then surely we would be heading somewhere.
But as it stands, if you’re sincerely thinking of dying for Ghana, I urge you to think twice and be aware of the consequences!
I’m out!
The article was published in the Business and Financial Times Weekend under the column Rhythms of Thoughts.
The author can be reached on [email protected]