The former President and Flag bearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, has bemoaned the cancellation of Republic Day as a public holiday by the Nana Akufo-Addo-led administration.
The July 1 Republic Day holiday was scrapped by the government and now a commemorative day which signifies the attainment of the nation’s republican status with this year marking the 59th anniversary of the attainment.
In a message to commemorate the day, former President Mahama indicated that the Nana Akufo-Addo-led administration was attempting to rewrite Ghana’s history and in a Facebook post, he stated: “59 years ago, our beloved Ghana became a Republic and acquired true political independence from the shackles of colonialism.
“As a result, we reclaimed for ourselves true political sovereignty. We entrenched equality before the law and emphasised that, the people of Ghana shall be the ultimate source of all political power.
“On this memorable day, I congratulate all senior citizens for the significant sacrifices they have made over the decades in nurturing our dear nation to this current stage,
I also salute our forebears who fought to establish Ghana’s name in history as the Black Star of Africa and the “Beacon of Hope” for African liberation and integration.
“Sadly, this significant page in our history has been revised by the Akufo-Addo-led administration through the recent Public Holidays (Amendment) Act 2019, (Act 989),
by this act, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Government has expunged Republic day, also commemorated as ‘Senior Citizens Day’ from the list of public holidays and replaced it with a questionable founders’ day holiday on August 4th.
“As we reflect on the deeper undercurrents of our present political and economic challenges, let us dedicate ourselves to the patriotic and nationalistic ideals that led to the creation of our dear nation as a Republic, and await the vindication of the true history of our country, Ghana,” former President Mahama pointed out. –classfmonline.com
