Madam Deputy Speaker, hon members, it gives me great pleasure to participate in this debate on the occasion of the celebration of the 50th anniversary of independency in Ghana. It further gives me great pleasure to share this platform with people such as the hon MaNjobe, who had the exhilarating experience of living in Ghana during those exciting times straight after independence.
It was after all this event on 6 March 1957, that changed the face of Africa, and which was a start of the process of reclaiming Africa's birthright and the dignity of the African people. Under the leadership of Dr Nkrumah, this heralded the beginning of the process of African independence in the modern era and this example served to stimulate the process towards ending colonialism across the continent. It was, of course, the beginning of the wave of independence, which swept the continent during the 60s and culminated in our own freedom 13 years ago.
Ghana's independence gave us much hope 50 years ago. And that country continues to give us hope on our new quest for economic emancipation for our economic independence.
In spite of its many post-independence trials and tribulations, modern-day Ghana has managed to straddle the two worlds of underdevelopment and development with much maturity and leadership. In the process, Ghana has become the embodiment of the vision of the African Renaissance. All of us on the continent have learnt many lessons from Ghana. One could say that Ghana has been a vanguard nation in 1957 and now. As one of the first nations on the continent to gain independence, Ghana has led the way as a stable country under democratic rule, and now also serves as an anchor of economic growth and development.
Endowed with great resources, Ghana was historically known, as you all know, as the Gold Coast or "Golden Ghana", partly for its storehouses of gold and partly because it was considered by its neighbours to be shining as bright as gold itself. Such was the attraction of gold that Ghana was of course a hive of economic activity drawing many foreign nations to our continental shores as successive colonial powers sought to secure a place in the booming trade in gold.
While political solidarity has kept us together as a continent through the tough years of apartheid and colonialism, we recognise that economic development is our current challenge. Political solidarity alone is not enough, but must be supported by strong economic co-operation.
With Ghana we enjoy excellent economic relations and it is a major trading partner of ours; in recent years trade growing tremendously between our two countries. There are, for example, about 35 South African multinational companies and smaller scale companies registered in Ghana. Since 1994, a capital injection of more than US$36 million from South African companies has been invested in Ghana. Also, there are an increasing number of other countries investing in Ghana because it enjoys one of the most sophisticated economies on the continent.
Consider this example from an article published in The Washington Post by Carol Pineau, entitled The Africa You Never See, in which she states:
In the waiting area of a large office complex in Accra, it is standing room only as citizens with bundles of cash line up to buy shares of a mutual fund that has yielded an average of 60% annually over the last seven years. They are entrusting their hard-earned cash to a local company called Databank, which invests in stock markets in Ghana, Nigeria, Botswana and Kenya that consistently rank amongst the world's top growth markets.
These are the things we do not read about in the newspapers. It is also little known, for example, that the Ghana Stock Exchange regularly tops the list of the world's highest-performing markets.
So, South Africa and Ghana continue to have strong ties both politically and economically. Our political relations will be given further impetus this year when in July we launch the Joint Co-operation Commission. Also, on the multilateral level, His Excellency, President Kufuor, chairs the African Union, and the July AU Summit will be held under his chairmanship in the Ghanaian capital of Accra.
Ghana also plays a key role in the Economic Community of West African States, Ecowas, mediating the various crises that have affected the volatile region from Sierra Leone to Cote d'Ivoire.
And under President Kufuor's leadership, Ghana was also the first country - as has been mentioned here before - to undergo the African Peer Review process, with a very positive result.
Both our countries share a common vision for the continent and the world. We both work towards the eradication of conflict on our continent and the peaceful resolution of disputes.
We are now in the early years of this new wave of independence in which we are actively striving to rid our continent of all the negative stereotypes associated with it, such as war, famine and disease, through developing our economies, investing in our infrastructure and people, and working with our partners on the African continent and beyond to build prosperous societies.
Ghana is today a stable democracy - a country admired by its neighbours in West Africa and in the international community. As a country that has contributed so much to the liberation of our continent from colonialism's bonds, Ghana plays a crucial role in contributing to the vision of a better Africa and a better world.
Towards this end, Ghana's foreign policy objectives continue to be directed towards the promotion of a just and equitable international economic and social order. These are ideals for which we stand and which we, too, promote.
As a young nation in democracy, we have learned from Ghana. She has produced a high calibre of leaders whose contribution to the vision of African Unity has left a lasting legacy. Today, as we strive to consolidate African unity, we remember the contribution that Kwame Nkrumah made.
As we celebrate the unstoppable trend towards democratisation, we remember that one of Ghana's greatest sons, Kofi Annan, has been instrumental through his extraordinary personal and professional efforts in elevating the African agenda to global forums.
As we celebrate the milestone African Union decision to strive for gender parity within all structures of organisation, we must not forget the legacy bestowed upon us by the Ashanti who place women as the final arbiter in all decisions in the Ashanti community.
Both our countries' people cherish and celebrate their diversity, so both our people are ready to rekindle the filial ties and kinship that had been suppressed by the artificial restrictions imposed by the apartheid regime.
We are hugely encouraged by the increasing people to people contacts from our respective countries. We also look forward to participating in Ghana in 2008 in the Africa Cup of Nations, and also to hosting the Black Stars at the Fifa World Cup here in 2010. Speaking of learning, we hope that we will learn a lot from the Black Stars in 2008 as our own team prepares for 2010.
We are indeed proud to associate ourselves with the cultural and sporting achievements of Ghana; their display of skill and finesse during the Soccer World Cup in Germany indeed filled many of us with pride and made us proud to be Africans.
Ghana has given us all hope - in 1957 and during this half centenary celebration in 2007. At the colourful and happy ceremony in Ghana's capital last week, President Kufuor said:
This is a celebration not only for Ghana but also for the whole of Africa. The date 6 March 1957 changed the outlook of Africa.
There is no doubt that Africa and many of its nations are making progress. I urge our young people to resolve to stay at home, use their energy and enthusiasm to serve Africa.
This resonates with us as we pursue our own political and economic objectives. We continued to be inspired by the successes of Ghana and the things they have taught us.
I wish to extend my heartfelt congratulations to the people and government of Ghana on 50 years of freedom. I thank you.
Debate concluded.