Madam Deputy Speaker and hon members, Ghana's independence 50 years ago marked the first important step for Africa to throw off the shackles of colonialism. In that sense, it was a triumphant occasion that still, 50 years on, should fill all of the people of the continent with joy. It marked the beginning of Africans again being in control of their own destiny. At the same time, we must remember that Ghana's initial freedom soon presented many challenges and problems. The military coups that followed, the charges of corruption, the accusations of ethnic preferential treatment in service delivery and the distribution of national resources became setbacks.
As the years of independence progressed in Ghana, many other African states emerged from colonialism and followed a similar path of hope, and disappointment, and renewed hope, but the nations of the continent have refused to bow down and accept the afro-pessimist view of the so-called inevitability of African suffering and underdevelopment. I thank you. [Time expired.] [Applause.]