Ghana is now sixty-seven years old today, and it were a human being, I believe it would have retired by now. As a nation, it's inspiring to see how far we have come since we gained independence from our colonial masters in 1957. Although Ghana has had significant development in every aspect that contributes to nation-building, I believe we could have achieved even more. Like every nation, we had our challenges, with leadership being our greatest hurdle.
Other African countries, like Ghana, have faced similar challenges. Poor leadership has consistently been a major reason why Africa still lags behind in development. Ghana, like some African nations, has experienced coups d'état, followed by successive governments whose administrations have guided the country through various times, both good and bad.
Despite all the challenges, it's also worth noting that Africa now boasts significant transformations in the fields of technology, health, and education. Gradually, the narratives about us are changing, and we hope to see many more developments taking place. The 6th of March reminds us about the freedom we gained from colonial rule and the autonomy we have as a sovereign state in managing our own affairs.
There is a special celebration to mark this day, with gatherings across the country involving both children and adults to commemorate the occasion with marches. In these gatherings, there are parades where children and people from various professions come together to march. Besides marching, there are also dances and dramas performed by cultural troupes, sometimes depicting plays or dramas about colonial rule and our struggle for independence.
As it's a public holiday, the majority of people flock to the town centers where these gatherings are primarily held, while those unable to attend watch the live independence parade from the Independence Square. This parade is the largest gathering in the nation, showcasing the participation of the police, army, navy, military, and cadet corps from various schools across Ghana.
It's during this gathering that we see all the important dignitaries, including the president, ministers, chiefs, and representatives from different nations around the world, all coming together to commemorate this significant day with the Ghanaian populace. These gatherings are joyful moments that end in the evening with Independence Jams and parties.
Even though it's a day that reminds us of the ordeals of our predecessors, their stories of struggle always evoke feelings of sadness and the pain they endured in fighting for their freedom and ours. However, it also brings us joy as Ghana celebrates its status as a sovereign nation and the freedom that brings us Happiness. it's good to see this day again and I believe every Ghanaian is proud to see how far we've come.