Fifty years ago, on Wednesday, 6th March 1957 Ghana was born. The West African colony that had gone through the hands of several European masters had become a sovereign state and master of her won destiny. Gold Coast became Ghana on that momentous day, and as the Union Jack was lowered, the Red, Gold, Green, with its glowing Black Star, rose high. Ghana achieved sovereignty through the blood and toil of her founding fathers and patriots. On the occasion of the celebration of 50 years of Ghana’s sovereignty and nationhood, we of the New Patriotic Party salute the people of our great nation, and congratulate both the current and previous governments for steering Ghana to the present moment. We recall that Ghana’s struggle for independence dates back into the 19th century when some distinguished citizens and traditional leaders, driven by foresight and a keen sense of national pride, forced the bands of the colonial authorities to formalise the process of independence with the signing of the Bond of 1844. And from then on, events that unfolded in the then Gold Coast showed that our gallant leaders and forebears were going to stop at nothing short of total liberation and sovereignty. While it is impossible for us to name all the patriots who fought and gained independence for Ghana, we wish to recognise all the brave traditional leaders, scholars, farmers and fishermen, civil servants, merchants and workers who sacrificed their lives, their knowledge and wealth to purchase for us the land and state of Ghana. We want to pay a special tribute to such national pillars as: Ako Adjei, Paa Grant, B. K. Amandi, J. B. Danquah, Obetsebi Lamptey, S. D. Dombo, S. G. Antoh, K. A. Gbedemah, Edward Akuffo Addo, Jateo Kaleo, William Ofori Atta, Kojo Botsio, Dr. K. A. Busia, Sussan Alhassan, but to name a tiny few. We want to pay an extraordinary tribute to Ghana’s first President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah who fought gallantly alongside other patriots, and had the good fortune of leading Ghana into independence on 6th March, 1957. We also salute the countless others who worked as farmers, soldiers, teachers, traders, politicians, journalists, clergymen, and trades unionists whose toil and sacrifice paid the high price for nationhood. We of the New Patriotic Party also want to put on record our highest recognition of Madam Theodosia Okoh, the lady who designed our National Flag, Mr. Amon Kotey who designed the National Coat of Arms, the late Philip Gbeho who composed our National Anthem and the late Dr. Ephraim Amu who composed our National Patriotic Song – "Yen Ara Asae Ni…" These personalities have given Ghana the symbols of national pride and inspiration. On this historic and happy occasion, we call on all our compatriots to come together and celebrate as one Nation, One People with a Common Destiny, and to join hands in building a more prosperous and peaceful nation. We also congratulate His Excellency President John Agyekum Kufuor for keeping the torch of Freedom and Justice burning higher and higher. Long live Ghana and a Happy Golden Jubilee to all.