Press split over Ghana's achievements

Ghanaians celebrate 50 years of independence

Papers in Ghana offer mixed reviews on the 50th anniversary of the country's independence.

Some see that the country still has a long way to go, particularly in terms of economic development.

The state-owned Graphic, which continues its series of reports on "Ghana@50", offers a rather downbeat assessment of the country's performance.

The paper says Ghana needs to open a new chapter in its history, harness its resources and make the country a better place in which to live.

Political independence, the paper maintains, is not enough. It says Ghanaians will remain unhappy until they also achieve economic independence.

Past mistakes

The independent New Punch also casts a critical eye over the country's progress since gaining independence.

It says Ghanaians now have another 50 years in front of them to correct the mistakes of the past and move ahead towards a brighter future.

Other papers too see that there is still much work to be done. While The Statesman encourages citizens to celebrate, it also urges them to learn the lessons of the past in order to build a better future.

The independent Chronicle also calls on people to use the jubilee as an opportunity for reflection, while The Crusading Guide stresses the current generation's responsibility to shore up the future for their children and children's children.

The road ahead

Other papers offer a more positive assessment of the country's achievements.

The Daily Guide praises what it sees as signs of democracy taking deeper root in Ghana, including greater tolerance of other people's views.

While it agrees that the country could have taken bigger steps forward in terms of material advancement, it nevertheless believes that Ghanaians today are encouraged by a growing economy.

The Accra Daily Mail also looks towards the future with optimism.

Ghana, it notes, has gone through many changes, "some good, some bad, some contrived", but nonetheless, all of them part of the country's history.

It says the country can now look ahead with confidence, and predicts that in another 50 years' time Ghana will have well exceeded its aim of becoming a middle income state.

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