The independence of Ghana on March 6, 1957, marked the birth of our nation with the British crown still parenting. Independence in this regard was nascent; in that it could only partially manifest the idea of a self-governing state.

There is an adage in northern Ghana which says that when your parent give birth to you, you must also give birth to yourself. Thus, one must grow to have self-responsibility and maturity. Concomitant to this local aphorism was the reason why we demanded the Republic which came into being on 1st July 1960, which has been earmarked historically as the Republic Day.

The Republic Day of July 1 is unique, there could not be any other day like it. It marked the day that the transition of parenting to maturity assumed full sway. It embeds within it the ingredient and the soul of Ghana’s sovereign state endowed with the full responsibility to self-governance.

According to the article written by the Right Honorable Speaker of Parliament, “What is the Republic Day in Ghana”, he generally asserted that we have had the First Republic, Second Republic, Third Republic and Fourth Republic. Each one had its own Constitution which was different. There is no single continuum in any of the Constitutions. Each was an era of its own. When constitutional rule was restored after each military intervention, a new constitution was established.

Indeed, his observations fly in the face of epistemology. This is because the Constitutions after coup d’états of previous Republics constituted the presupposed laws of the state and they reflected the strength and weaknesses of the former Constitutions. The reason stems from the notion made from historical jurisprudence that laws are found but not made.

The issue is that each Constitution that instates a Republic seeks to achieve the aspiration of the people at a period.  Following the renowned statement of Justice Sowah in a Supreme Court case of Tuffour v Attorney General, he said:  “The written constitution like that of the 1992 Constitution is a living organism which has a letter of the law and equally has a spirit. It also embodies the will of the people and mirrors their history…. It contains in it the aspirations and the hopes of the people for a better and fuller life.”

Herein, what can be deduced from the dictum is that, ideally, like every living organism, there will be death of the body but not the spirit. The Fourth Republican statutes carries within it remnant constitutional provisions which include the First Republican Constitution. The past is embedded in the present and therefore it would be illogical to distance 1st July from the present.

The article by the Right Honorable Speaker of Parliament has sought and is seeking to falsify history by attacking 1^st July, destroying the basis and enthroning farcical reactionary position.

The Republic day on July 1, 1960, ushered in the First Republican Constitution of 1960 proclaiming Ghana a Republic, which symbolically serves as the basic norm from which subsequent Republics and Constitutions inheres from.

By: Michael Sumaila Nlasia (Research Fellow, Centre for Data Processing and Geo-Spatial Analysis) Email: [email protected]

The post Re: What is Republic Day in Ghana? appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The Speaker, who is a professor of political science, in an opinion piece published in the Daily Graphic had argued that the date should be moved from July 1 to January 7.

[contextly_sidebar id=”LDFKIZoWi1OLMtew3d50O7ojUgOegBuF”]According to him, 1st July 1960, which marks one of the republics of the past, is ‘dead and abandoned’, hence the need for the change.

“In fact, the First Republic was totally different from the other republics in terms of historicity and ideology. The 1960 Constitution was never restored. Indeed, it was repudiated in 1969. The former did not provide fundamental human rights, while the latter was a charter of liberty. If we simply celebrate Republic Day without knowing what we are celebrating, we will be groping in darkness.

“If we take 1st July as “Ghana’s Republic Day”, what Republic Day are we talking about? Are we celebrating that which was destroyed, abandoned, repudiated on February 24, 1966 or January 7, 1993, the day on which the 1992 Constitution was brought to being? How do you celebrate that which is otiose, dead and gone and replaced with another?,” the Speaker indicated.

Speaking on Eyewitness News, Mr. Bukari indicated that, Prof. Oquaye’s argument is flawed, given that Ghana attained republican status by July 1,1960, the significance of which must not be downplayed.

“This is an argument I will say we should call balderdash…Mr. Oquaye is entitled to his views but all that we need to know is that the Republic Day is equally important for all Ghanaians and all people who cherish constitutionalism. We [Ghanaians] should not forget in collectivism that Ghana, under the instrumentality of the Great Osagyefo Dr. Nkrumah won her independence and then attained a republican status by 1st July 1960. We cannot forget and we should not forget 1st July.”

He believes an attempt to shift Republic Day to January 7 will be tantamount to “neglecting someone’s efforts” in the struggle for independence.

According to Mr. Bukari, though 7th January can be celebrated to “mark the democratization of Ghana’s constitutionalism”, the celebration of 1st July 1960 as Ghana’s Republic Day cannot be ignored.

–

By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @EfeAnsah

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The 2nd Republic came into being in 1969. That republic also came to an end in another coup led by General Acheampong. In 1979 we had the 3rd Republic led by President Limann. Rawlings staged the 31st December Revolution/Coup in 1981 and ended the 3rd Republic.

On January 7, 1993, the 4th Republic was brought into being and Chairman Rawlings became a constitutional President.

No single constitution was ever restored. Each republic had its own constitution. It was new, fresh and different. When we celebrate July 1 as Republic Day and any foreigner asks: “which republic are you celebrating?”, what do we tell that person? Every reference in official circles speaks of the 4th Republic, including Parliament, etc. and that is what we must be celebrating. That is the Constitution which gives birth to a new hope for all Ghanaians.

A little history will be useful. On March 6, 1957 Ghana emerged the first African nation south of the Sahara to become independent from colonial rule. Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, whose CPP had won a convincing victory in the 1956 general election, became the first Prime Minister and Dr K.A. Busia emerged leader of the opposition.

The governor was the representative of the Queen as Head of State, with essentially ceremonial functions while Dr Kwame Nkrumah was Head of Government, vested with the Executive power of the State. Ghana was a member of the Commonwealth of nations and was exerting itself in the global family of nations.

When Ghana became a Republic in 1960, it essentially was to remove the last remnant of colonisation. Our independence had been won already but like India, there was a clamour for a Ghanaian Head of State, as well as Head of Government. This aspiration began in India which became independent earlier in 1947.

In Ghana, however, Dr Kwame Nkrumah decided to combine the two positions of Head of State and Head of Government. This is how Dr Nkrumah became President after the 1960 general election under the 1960 Constitution.

Notably, nobody spoke of the First Republic throughout the era of Dr Nkrumah. It was simply the Republic of Ghana. That is what applies in the USA. That republic which came into existence in 1789 has never fallen nor changed. That, unfortunately, does not apply to Ghana.

In Ghana, we have had the First Republic, Second Republic, Third Republic and Fourth Republic. Each one had its own Constitution which was different. There is no single continuum in any of the Constitutions. Each was an era of its own. When constitutional rule was restored after each military intervention, a new constitution was established.

In fact, the First Republic was totally different from the other republics in terms of historicity and ideology. The 1960 Constitution was never restored. Indeed, it was repudiated in 1969. The former did not provide fundamental human rights, while the latter was a charter of liberty.

Meaning

If we simply celebrate Republic Day without knowing what we are celebrating, we will be groping in darkness.

If we take 1st July as “Ghana’s Republic Day”, what Republic Day are we talking about? Are we celebrating that which was destroyed, abandoned, repudiated on February 24, 1966 or January 7, 1993, the day on which the 1992 Constitution was brought to being? How do you celebrate that which is otiose, dead and gone and replaced with another?

Ghana should not appear to be confused at all. I remember when President Kufuor was going to be sworn into office on January 7, 2001, Ghanaians who had been used to ‘handover’ after military rule were preparing for a handover from Rawlings to Kufuor.

Some of us stood vehemently against this and prevailed. The truth is that under the 4th Republican Constitution, there is nothing such as a handover. The Chief Justice administers an oath, the incoming President is sworn into office and the President becomes President.

An ex-President attends the ceremony simply as another special dignitary.

Ghana has been through three republics and is experiencing the 4th Republic (which we all believe, hope and pray will be the last). July 1, 1960 is no more our Republic Day. Historically, it is only one of the republic days of the past.

Today, so long as the 4th Republic continues, a President will forever be sworn in on January, 7.

January 7 is, therefore, a memorable day. It reminds us that we have a President, freely elected by us, who will rule Ghana by the tenets of our Constitution which came into effect 7 January, 1993. Our anthem today is different from the anthem during the 1st Republic.

There was nothing in the old anthem requiring Ghanaian to “resist oppressors rule” and no charge to the people to be “bold to defend for ever the cause of freedom and of right….”

Change

The conceptualisation has totally changed and we cannot persist in the old order which is fundamentally different.

January 7 is significant for another reason. It was the birthday of the 1992 Constitution. What does it mean? Answer: From January 7,1993, Ghanaians can only be ruled by law – The Rule of Law; Separation of Powers; Freedom of Speech and other liberties; no detention without trial, freedom of the Judiciary; nobody (no President) can change a verdict of the courts of Ghana; Chieftaincy is sacrosanct and no President can depose a chief, etc.

On every January 7, we should celebrate the cause of freedom and of right. In the years that a President is not being sworn in, we should still dedicate the day to the most priceless of all God’s gifts to humanity – freedom and justice. We should say: “Never Again” to all acts of man’s inhumanity to man, military/civilian brutality and every act of oppression”. This is to ensure that our liberties once trampled upon will never be abused again. Never Again!

January 7, 1993 is the “Republic Day” of the Republic of Ghana. May God bless our homeland Ghana, May He save the Republic – the only Republic in current and legal terms – January 7,1993. We should celebrate that and not those which have been deliberately replaced. It is noteworthy that senior citizens will continue to have their special place on that day.

–

Author: Prof. Michael Oquaye

The post Prof. Oquaye writes: What is Republic Day in Ghana? appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

In what is likely to generate another heated political debate, the Speaker, a professor of political science in a personal opinion piece published in the Daily Graphic, is arguing that the date should be moved from 1^st of July to the 7^th of January.

“7^th January 1993 is the ‘Republic Day’ of the Republic of Ghana. May God bless our homeland Ghana, May He save the Republic – the only Republic in current and legal terms – 7^th January 1993,” he stated in the article entitled, “What is the Republic Day in Ghana?”

This he believes, truly marks the beginning of the current democratic republic dispensation in which we live in.

According to the speaker, 1^st July 1960, which marks one of the republics of the past, is dead and abandoned, hence the need for the change.

“In 1960 Ghana became a republic. However, in 1966 that was overthrown by a military coup led by Kotoka, and the 1st Republic ended.The 2nd Republic came into being in 1969. That republic also came to an end in another coup led by General Acheampong. In 1979 we had the 3rd Republic led by President Limann. Rawlings staged the 31st December Revolution/Coup in 1981 and ended the 3rd Republic.On January 7, 1993, the 4th Republic was brought into being and Chairman Rawlings became a constitutional President.”

“We should celebrate that and not those which have been deliberately replaced. It is noteworthy that Senior Citizens will continue to have their special place on that day,” he added.

Below is the full article by Mr. Oquaye

In 1960 Ghana became a republic. However, in 1966 that was overthrown by a military coup led by Kotoka, and the 1st Republic ended.

The 2nd Republic came into being in 1969. That republic also came to an end in another coup led by General Acheampong. In 1979 we had the 3rd Republic led by President Limann. Rawlings staged the 31st December Revolution/Coup in 1981 and ended the 3rd Republic.

On January 7, 1993, the 4th Republic was brought into being and Chairman Rawlings became a constitutional President.

No single constitution was ever restored. Each republic had its own constitution. It was new, fresh and different. When we celebrate July 1 as Republic Day and any foreigner asks: “which republic are you celebrating?”, what do we tell that person? Every reference in official circles speaks of the 4th Republic, including Parliament, etc. and that is what we must be celebrating. That is the Constitution which gives birth to a new hope for all Ghanaians.

A little history will be useful. On March 6, 1957 Ghana emerged the first African nation south of the Sahara to become independent from colonial rule. Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, whose CPP had won a convincing victory in the 1956 general election, became the first Prime Minister and Dr K.A. Busia emerged leader of the opposition.

The governor was the representative of the Queen as Head of State, with essentially ceremonial functions while Dr Kwame Nkrumah was Head of Government, vested with the Executive power of the State. Ghana was a member of the Commonwealth of nations and was exerting itself in the global family of nations.

When Ghana became a Republic in 1960, it essentially was to remove the last remnant of colonisation. Our independence had been won already but like India, there was a clamour for a Ghanaian Head of State, as well as Head of Government. This aspiration began in India which became independent earlier in 1947.

In Ghana, however, Dr Kwame Nkrumah decided to combine the two positions of Head of State and Head of Government. This is how Dr Nkrumah became President after the 1960 general election under the 1960 Constitution.

Notably, nobody spoke of the First Republic throughout the era of Dr Nkrumah. It was simply the Republic of Ghana. That is what applies in the USA. That republic which came into existence in 1789 has never fallen nor changed. That, unfortunately, does not apply to Ghana.

In Ghana, we have had the First Republic, Second Republic, Third Republic and Fourth Republic. Each one had its own Constitution which was different. There is no single continuum in any of the Constitutions. Each was an era of its own. When constitutional rule was restored after each military intervention, a new constitution was established.

In fact, the First Republic was totally different from the other republics in terms of historicity and ideology. The 1960 Constitution was never restored. Indeed, it was repudiated in 1969. The former did not provide fundamental human rights, while the latter was a charter of liberty.

Meaning

If we simply celebrate Republic Day without knowing what we are celebrating, we will be groping in darkness.

If we take 1st July as “Ghana’s Republic Day”, what Republic Day are we talking about? Are we celebrating that which was destroyed, abandoned, repudiated on February 24, 1966 or January 7, 1993, the day on which the 1992 Constitution was brought to being? How do you celebrate that which is otiose, dead and gone and replaced with another?

Ghana should not appear to be confused at all. I remember when President Kufuor was going to be sworn into office on January 7, 2001, Ghanaians who had been used to ‘handover’ after military rule were preparing for a handover from Rawlings to Kufuor.

Some of us stood vehemently against this and prevailed. The truth is that under the 4th Republican Constitution, there is nothing such as a handover. The Chief Justice administers an oath, the incoming President is sworn into office and the President becomes President.

An ex-President attends the ceremony simply as another special dignitary.

Ghana has been through three republics and is experiencing the 4th Republic (which we all believe, hope and pray will be the last). July 1, 1960 is no more our Republic Day. Historically, it is only one of the republic days of the past.

Today, so long as the 4th Republic continues, a President will forever be sworn in on January, 7.

January 7 is, therefore, a memorable day. It reminds us that we have a President, freely elected by us, who will rule Ghana by the tenets of our Constitution which came into effect 7 January, 1993. Our anthem today is different from the anthem during the 1st Republic.

There was nothing in the old anthem requiring Ghanaian to “resist oppressors rule” and no charge to the people to be “bold to defend for ever the cause of freedom and of right….”

Change

The conceptualisation has totally changed and we cannot persist in the old order which is fundamentally different.

January 7 is significant for another reason. It was the birthday of the 1992 Constitution. What does it mean? Answer: From January 7,1993, Ghanaians can only be ruled by law – The Rule of Law; Separation of Powers; Freedom of Speech and other liberties; no detention without trial, freedom of the Judiciary; nobody (no President) can change a verdict of the courts of Ghana; Chieftaincy is sacrosanct and no President can depose a chief, etc.

On every January 7, we should celebrate the cause of freedom and of right. In the years that a President is not being sworn in, we should still dedicate the day to the most priceless of all God’s gifts to humanity – freedom and justice. We should say: “Never Again” to all acts of man’s inhumanity to man, military/civilian brutality and every act of oppression”. This is to ensure that our liberties once trampled upon will never be abused again. Never Again!

January 7, 1993 is the “Republic Day” of the Republic of Ghana. May God bless our homeland Ghana, May He save the Republic – the only Republic in current and legal terms – January 7,1993. We should celebrate that and not those which have been deliberately replaced. It is noteworthy that senior citizens will continue to have their special place on that day.

–

By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Speaker wants Republic day changed to January 7 appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The party in a press statement signed by its Chairman, Prof. Edmund Delle to mark the country’s 57^th Republic Day anniversary further commended Ghanaians for protecting the sovereignty of the country over the years.

[contextly_sidebar id=”3jZlGehhGmWvRILl52JojoB471LCn5kD”]“The CPP congratulates the Nation of Ghana for protecting its sovereignty over the past 57 years and still counting. We must continue to work together to protect the State and fight against injustice, corruption and political victimization. Ghana must work again,” the statement added.

Ghana attained a republican status some 57 years ago which marked an event of profound historical and political significance.

The feat implied that Ghana had the freedom to draw its own constitution and elect a president, who, with the cabinet, could initiate programmes for the well-being of the people.

Since then, the country has been managed by both civilians and military rulers.

The CPP which Ghana’s first President, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah formed, in the statement noted that “Ghana’s victory in attaining full republican status went along with claiming the full sovereignty over all aspects of ournational and international life.”

“Ghana on July 1, 1960 totally weaned itself from British colonial rule, as the Queen of England’s Governor General left the shores of the country to signify that the Black Star of Arica had taken charge of its own affairs…The CPP recounted that after becoming the first sub-Saharan African country to gain independence on March 6, 1957, Ghana’s political freedom inspired the liberation of many other African countries from colonial governance,” the statement added.

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By: Godwin Akweiteh Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @AlloteyGodwin

The post Republic Day: Don’t give up fight on corruption, injustice – CPP appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.