Former Minister of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Stephen Asamoah Boateng, has urged Ghanaians to use the country’s independence celebrations as an opportunity to reflect on its developmental progress and chart a clearer path for the future.

Speaking on JoyNews AM Show on March 6 discussing Ghana@69, the former minister said the anniversary should go beyond celebration and instead serve as a moment of national introspection.

According to him, independence anniversaries are occasions that should compel citizens and leaders alike to evaluate the nation’s journey since attaining freedom from colonial rule and assess whether the country is moving in the right direction.

“It is an occasion that makes us reflect on how, as a country, we have developed and what the future holds,” he said. “That is the whole essence of independence—celebrating the past while also examining where we may have gone wrong and determining the way forward.”

Mr Boateng noted that the milestone should prompt serious reflection on whether the country has achieved the level of development it once envisioned.

He acknowledged feeling proud of the country’s progress but expressed reservations about the pace of its development.

“Sixty-nine years is a long time. We are already approaching 70,” he stated. “I am happy for the country, but I am not entirely satisfied with our development. By now, we should have been far ahead of many countries, particularly in Africa.”

He compared Ghana’s progress with that of other African nations, suggesting that some countries that were once behind Ghana have now surpassed it in several areas.

“In Africa in particular, even Botswana is ahead of us,” he said, referring to Botswana as an example of a nation that has made significant economic strides over the decades.

He also pointed to South Africa, noting that Ghana once played a supportive role during the anti-apartheid struggle by providing facilities and other forms of assistance. However, he lamented that such contributions are often overlooked today.

“We provided everything for them, including facilities. Now they don’t even want to know us. They don’t even think we provided anything for them,” he remarked.

He dded that Ghana’s historical support for liberation struggles extended to other African countries, including Namibia, but said such solidarity has largely faded from public memory.

Despite his concerns about development, the former minister emphasised that Ghana still has significant achievements to celebrate, particularly its long-standing democratic stability and relative peace.

“We have a long way to go,” he said. “But relatively, I am happy because of the peaceful nature of the country.”