We're Ghanaians first, and then we're Fantes or Kussasis or whatever

President Kufuor

The Kufuor administration wants to highlight independence day as the most important day on the national calendar, and this year's activities are lasting for a week, instead of a day.

Effectively, this pushes to the background the 4 June and 31 December, the dates on which former President Jerry Rawlings staged his two military coups, and which were commemorated by the Ghana Armed Forces.

'Ghanaians first'

At the parade, President Kufuor sought to highlight the multi-culturalism of Ghanaian nationhood and citizenship.

President Kufour made his most impressive speech so far

In what was the most impressive public speech of his presidency so far, President Kufuor spoke passionately about the need to protect the environment.

"Our forests, our trees, our rivers and lakes are not commodities we can abuse. We do not own the land; we hold it in trust for generations yet unborn."

"We inherited at our birth a beautiful land, blessed with thick forests, precious minerals and varied animals. We have a right to make use of these and other natural gifts to enhance the quality of our lives. But we do not have the right to degrade the environment."

Education

President Kufuor pledged to restore teachers to a status of respect and dignity. "I salute our teachers today, we acknowledge your role. Work with us, take the children we entrust to your care as sacred charges and bring out the best in them.

"Do not be afraid of change, get new skills, discover and explore the joys of the computer age and inspire the young people to achieve. My government will support you every inch of the way," he said.

The former ruling NDC which is now in opposition, did not spend the day quietly.

They put out colourful newspaper adverts congratulating the Ghanaian people on the occasion. They also put out a statement criticising the ruling NPP for being so keen now to celebrate independence day, saying that the inspirers of the NPP campaigned against the country's independence in the 1950s.

That statement has generated a heated debate which will probably drag the independence day discourse on for yet another week.