Happy Birthday to You!
Happy Birthday dearrr Ghana!
Happy Birthday to You!
Yep, that's right. Ghana donned it's birthday suit last Friday.
March 6th, 1957 - Ghana gains independence from Britain
March 6th, 2009 - Ghana turns 52 years old!
Now Independence Day in the U.S. is a big event... Fire works, cook outs, swimming, usually a thunderstorm.
So expecting the day to be a big to do, a group of us woke up early (5am!) and headed to Independence Square in downtown Accra for the celebration. The president was going to be there!
The arena was full of people.
All the military units were present and marched into the arena, as well as a few local schools.
The president gave a speech... I mean I guess you could call it a speech. You couldn't hear ANYTHING! The speakers were not working at all, but no one really seemed to mind... and no one complained.
Most of the people weren't even that excited that the president was there. There was cheering when he drove by, but that's about all. Haha. I was trying to picture if it were Barack Obama who was driving by during an American Independence Day celebration and I'm thinking it would be a very different story.
The event was a lot less festive than I was expecting. Especially because Ghanaians are notorious for having country pride. Honestly, I think the Americans were more excited about Ghana turning - Over the Hill + 2 - than they were. After a short discussion we decided it's because America has 150+ years on them in regards to Independence Day celebrations.... Ghana is still new to the game!
A Ghanaian friend who went with us said that in years past they had gymnastics and dancing and drumming performances, but that didn't happen this year. A few planes flying overhead and cannons being launched was about the extent of the excitement. All in all, I'm glad I went. I was a part of Ghana's 52nd birthday!
But us Americans being Americans, we had to spice it up a little bit... So on the way back to the university, we waved Ghanaian flags out the tro tro windows and shouted "Happy Independence Day" and "Happy Birthday Ghana" to all the people passing by. This got a few good laughs and return cheers! Haha.
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