Ghana’s 62nd Independence Day: Speech by Elder Samuel Anini

Her Excellency, Ambassador Amerley Ollennu Awua-Asamoa, Honorary consul Miss Ulla Alanko, President of Ghana Union Finland, Dr. Perpetual Crentsil, Co-Patron of Ghana Union Finland, Sir Wilberforce Essandor, National Head of the Church of Pentecost Finland, Apostle Edmund Appiah and all Pastors present, Nananom, Invited guests, Fellow Ghanaians, Ladies and gentlemen,

I am highly honoured to be called upon to chair this important celebration of Ghana’s independence anniversary. On this glorious occasion that marks Ghana’s 62nd Independence Day, I welcome you from far and near to this celebration.

It is sixty-two years today since our nation Ghana won her independence from Great Britain, and it is fitting that we should gather to celebrate the anniversary of this special day even here in Finland. Yes, you will all agree with me that, we have come a long way as a nation. We have progressed from drinking Sacket water to bottle water, from listening to KASANOMA radio to Internet radio around the globe on our phones and computers, and from going to post office for our international calls; this is just to mention a few.

The first President of Ghana, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, said, and I quote: “At long last, the battle has ended! And thus, Ghana, your beloved country is free forever! ” Ghana is indeed a sovereign nation free from colonial rule and is managing its own affairs, although there are competing demands for the scares resources. Despite its heterogeneity and Cultural diversity, the country’s various ethnic groups have co-existed, making it one of the most peaceful nations in Africa.

A lot of strives have been made, but we have to consolidate the gains made so far. I wish to court your support for the President call for Ghana beyond AID. The country provides one of the best platforms for doing business and I want us to grab the opportunity and invest in Ghana. Ghana’s relationship between countries should not be that of DEPENDANCY.

Even after 62 years of independence, there are so many beautiful things in our country that we would always cherish as Ghanaians despite the challenges we go through as a nation. We still live with the concept of "Unity in diversity" with diverse language, culture and religion. We live in harmony with one another and Christians and Moslems are a living example to that. Before I end ladies and gentlemen, as Ghanaians in Diaspora, we have learnt a lot from our host nations and please let us influence our communities in Ghana with this positive thing we have AQUIRED.

Finland is one of the least corrupt countries in the world and they are TIME CONSCIOUS. We can carry this mindset to Ghana by helping them to change their attitude, behavior and mindset for the development of our nation. Long live Ghana and May the good Lord bless our homeland Ghana with Peace, prosperity, unity and make us strong. God richly bless you all. Thank you. Suuri Kiitos kaikkille.

Elder Samuel Anini