March 6th marked the 57th
anniversary of the Gold Coast Colony’s independence from the UK, and the birth
of the Ghanaian nation. Today, just as British colonial officials were doing in
March 1957, our team of British volunteers are also packing our bags and
preparing to take our leave.
However,
as I partook in the Independence Day celebrations down on the coast at Busua, near
Takoradi, I was struck by a quirk of historical irony. The towns nestled along
Ghana’s beautiful, tropical coastline are teeming with Dutch, British,
Scandinavian, and German people, just as they had been throughout the 17th and 18th Centuries as Danish, Dutch, Portuguese, Prussian, Swedish, and English colonists tussled amongst themselves to establish forts along the
Gold Coast in order to guard natural harbours and act as staging posts for
expeditions into the hinterland in search of gold and slaves.
Fort Metal Cross |
I
was lucky enough to have the chance to explore one such colonial fort during my
stay in Busua, and Fort Metal Cross, which changed hands a number of times
between the Dutch and the British, serves as an imposing reminder of Ghana’s
colonial past, sat atop a rocky outcrop, overlooking the town of Dixcove.
However, it couldn't help but make me wonder, how
independent is Ghana, in reality? How much does it rely on the contributions of
overseas support, and how well would society function if it was retracted? Coupled
with allegations that many influential Ghanaian politicians are in the pay of
large, Western corporations, which are in turn granted artificially cheap
access to Ghana’s sovereign assets (oil, in particular), it can be tempting to
become very cynical about the concept of Ghanaian “independence”.
British cannons still loom over the town of Dixcove |
Nevertheless, although I don’t think it can be
denied that Ghana is affected by at least some level of neo-colonial influence,
my experience of living in the Upper East, where the influence of the central
government in Accra is barely perceptible, fills me with hope. Living here, in
Sandema, where I have met so many incredibly strong, devoted, inspiring
individuals, who rely on nobody but themselves, whilst at the same time, are always
willing to extend a helping-hand to those in need around them, has left me in no
doubt that a form of independence, or at least dignified inter-dependence, truly
exists in Ghana.
Indeed, in the globalised world in which we now
live, perhaps independence is a redundant concept. All the same, the incredible
example set by the countless people who work so tirelessly and with such pride,
has really inspired me since my arrival in this fantastic community, and
humbled me with the realisation that I myself am so dependent on other people
in every aspect of my life.
I will not mention any names, because there are too
many to list and I would hate to miss one out, but the people who have made me
feel so welcome and at home in Ghana know who they are, and I would simply like
to thank them all whole-heartedly for everything they have done for me, taught
me, the love they have shown me, and for all the amazing memories.
By Ollie Buxton
Hey,Liberia was not colonized. It was formed as a result of returned slaves from the Diaspora. Another country that was not colonized is Ethiopia. There is no competition here. Ghana's independence was a beacon of hope that ignited the flames for African countries to fight for independence. However greedy people and stupidity have made those efforts meaningless cos most African countries are either in turmoil or are financially inept and do nothing but blame Western countries for their plight.Thanks to all!!
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