In the Broadway musical Hamilton, George Washington sings History Has Its Eyes On You to Alexander Hamilton. Washington reminds Hamilton that his actions—whatever they are—will be recorded and judged. Dear Ghanaians and President Nana Akufo Addo, history and the world are watching us now.
When our new President Nana Akufo-Addo spoke on January 7th, he invited us to join him in creating a New Ghana. Though we are not in physical combat with an aggressor, we are at war economically, morally, and emotionally.
President Akufo-Addo asked us to help him succeed under of the watchful eyes of history. We must accept his call and support him just as the Americans and Brits did when their leaders, Franklin D. Roosevelt and Winston Churchill asked them to help them protect their countries during World War II.
Immediately following the Japanese attack on the U.S. Naval bases in the Pacific on December 7, 1941, President Roosevelt delivered his A Day in Infamy speech to a record-breaking radio audience of more than 80 percent of American households.
He inspired a heartsick nation of stunned and grieving families with these words: “No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory…With confidence in our armed forces, with the unbounded determination of our people, we will gain the inevitable triumph—so help us, God.”
When Great Britain faced imminent invasion by Nazi Germany in 1940, Prime Minister Churchill delivered his We Shall Fight On The Beaches speech to the House of Commons. He spoke these words knowing that Belgium’s King Leopold betrayed the French and English forces.
“Even though…many old and famous States have fallen or may fall into the grip of the Gestapo and all the odious apparatus of Nazi rule, we shall not flag or fail. We shall go on to the end....We shall fight on the seas and oceans. We shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air. We shall defend our Island, whatever the cost may be. We shall fight on the beaches. We shall fight on the landing grounds. We shall fight in the fields and in the streets. We shall fight in the hills. We shall never surrender.” He reassured his countrymen and won U.S. support.
Their words became the rallying cries that mobilized their nations and channeled their energies. These words were clearly aspirational and motivational. Each man and their countries succeeded in the face of insurmountable odds. I believe Ghana and President Akufo-Addo can do that too.
Unfortunately, when our new President was installed, his words were overshadowed by a speechwriter’s mistake. His message was strong and inspirational and would have garnered international acclaim if not for this gaffe.
It made the world focus on the error instead of the president’s plan to build our New Ghana. The speechwriter quoted former U.S. Presidents Bush and Clinton without attribution. While this diminished our celebration, it should not keep us from hearing the true message in President Akufo-Addo’s address.
President Akufo-Addo acknowledged our talents, gifts, and skills. He emphasized his trust in our God-given abilities and capacities to succeed when properly nurtured and channeled. His words, “I have no doubt the talents, energies, sense of enterprise, and innovation of the Ghanaian can be harnessed to make Ghana the place where dreams come true,” showed his belief in the ingenuity of the citizens to make Ghana great, in spite of its many problems.
We have growing apathy and mistrust in politicians by our youth and unemployed graduates. Mr. Akufo-Addo addressed this challenge directly by telling them to dream again as he prepares a plan to harness their talents. This is heartwarming and especially good news for them and all Ghanaians.
The President’s words reaffirmed his belief that Ghana is “BIG,” and that we will be great again. He believes in us—our ingenuity and talent—our ability to persevere, and in our global contributions.
Look at how many of our compatriots in the diaspora are immensely important in the fields of engineering, technology, commerce, security, space exploration, finance, and sports. For example, the British Trade envoy Adam Afriyie, the British Government representative at the inauguration is of Ghanaian heritage or descent; Kwasi Enin, a youth of Ghanaian parentage in the U.S. was admitted to every Ivy League College, and the Black Stars, national football team, defeated the mighty Czech Republic at the 2006 World Cup in Germany to reach the second round. Ghanaians are succeeding around the world; we can certainly succeed in our country if we work together.
Our President’s hopes and optimistic outlook are not dampened by the daunting tasks that lie ahead. He is the embodiment of our Ghanaian spirit–-unrelenting self-belief, perseverance, and confidence. Ghanaians never give up—and we always succeed! Knowing this, the President reminded us, “It will not be easy. We have no illusions whatsoever about the enormity of the task that we face, but I know, that Ghanaians at home and abroad, will rise to the occasion. They always do. It will require sacrifice, but it can be done. Others have done it, so can we.” Citing President Clinton, he reminded us: “Our best days still lie ahead…”
Our new leader promises to lower taxes to free businesses from the shackles of the past so they can expand and hire more employees. In this address, President Nana Akufo-Addo also said, "We will reduce taxes to recover the momentum of our economy, the doors of Ghana are open again, the shutters are up again There could not be a better opportunity to make in Ghana and to make it in Ghana. Ghana is open for businesses again, we will build a confident Ghana that is united, at peace with itself, and a Ghana that takes pride in its diversity."
And in another breath, the new government aspires to tap into the creative ingenuity and skills of Ghanaian innovators and inventors while promising: “We will bring to life the adventurer in you. It is time to imagine and to dream again, time to try that business idea again.”
These are aspirational rallying cries that should be great news to every Ghanaian irrespective of their political, religious, tribal or social class. These should be encouraging times, but if we do not take advantage of the new business-friendly environment, our beautiful dream will not happen.
If we truly want the new government to succeed, we must do our part. We must value ourselves. We must use our minds and be industrious. We must be persistent; we must do whatever is necessary to help build and benefit from our New Ghana. We must start now to prepare for the future. We must put the new government on notice that we are watching and we expect them to keep their promises. We must not sit back and let this vision become the rhetoric of seasoned politicians.
We must also wish the new government great success. We must work with them at every turn. If they fail because we have not accepted their challenge, Ghana will experience even more cynicism, apathy, and angry but passive citizens than we have right now. Why give up the opportunity to be the active, thoughtful, persistent, optimistic, and successful people we know we are?
Finally, we must be vigilant. That's my creed, and I urge you to make it yours too.
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