Ghana Founders’ Day: Call for Development Responsibility

In Ghana, on Founders’ Day, a columnist for MyJoyOnline called on citizens to reflect on how the country uses the political independence it has gained. In his view, the holiday should not be limited to honoring history alone: the country’s development requires the participation not only of the authorities, but also of society, businesses, educators, communities and the diaspora.

The author referred to the statement by Ghana’s first president, Kwame Nkrumah, about looking not to the East or the West, but forward. He believes this approach entails African countries independently determining their development priorities, as well as building manufacturing, education, science and innovation.

Partnership and added value

The column states that international investment, aid and knowledge exchange can be useful, but should not replace local expertise. The author also raised the issue of Ghana’s economic self-sufficiency, as the country exports raw materials, including cocoa, while a significant share of the added value from manufacturing finished products is created outside the country.

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He paid particular attention to technology and artificial intelligence. In the author’s view, African countries should not be merely users of digital products: young people should have opportunities to code, conduct research, develop infrastructure, invest in development and own intellectual property.

Government initiatives and public responsibility

The author positively assessed initiatives by the administration of President John Dramani Mahama, including the National Coders Programme, National Apprenticeship Programme, Adwumawura, Feed Ghana, Big Push and the concept of a 24-hour economy. He also noted that the 2026 budget provides spending on digital skills, vocational training, entrepreneurship and the Ghana National Research Fund.

At the same time, in the author’s view, government programmes alone will not deliver results. He called for holding officials accountable regardless of party preferences and for taking responsibility for one’s own work — in teaching, public service, business and mentoring young people. Founders’ Day, the author believes, should encourage Ghanaians to think about institutions, knowledge, jobs and opportunities for future generations.

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