Ghana, the country that boasts of being the first black African country south of the Sahara to gain independence, has become a laughing stock among the comity of nations.
The imbroglio inflicted upon the nation and for that matter Ghanaians emanates from the unpardonable blunders that were contained in the 59th Independence Anniversary brochure.
The brochure contained a series of grammatical errors and factual inaccuracies, such as the Kenyan President, Uhuru Kenyatta, being described as the President of the Republic of Ghana and our country having been characterised as a Lower Income Country instead of our enviable achievement as a Lower Middle Income country.
The inaccuracies and blunders committed in the 30-page document got many Ghanaians angry because they caused great embarrassment to the government in particular and Ghanaians in general. The international media did not spare Ghana, as they ridiculed the country for the mistakes. For instance, the Kenyan media especially is awash with articles making mockery of Ghana.
The shame we have suffered does not befit a nation that has produced renowned personalities like Dr Kwame Nkrumah and other members of the Big Six of old; great minds, including Dr James Kwegyir Aggrey, Philip Gbeho, Ephraim Amu, Kofi Annan, Colonel Kofi Abaka Jackson, the inventor, Prof. Francis Allotey, credited with a formula in physics, Prof. Frimpong Boateng, Ashie Kotei, Theodosia Okoh, Dr Leticia Obeng, Dr Ashitey Trebi-Ollennu, a Group Lead and Robotics Engineer at the NASA of the United States. The list is seemingly endless.
The infamous brochure has cost the job of the Acting Director of the Information Services Department (ISD), Mr Francis Kwarteng Arthur. And although workers of the ISD have expressed satisfaction with the dismissal of their boss, we of Public Agenda join other voices for a full investigation into this sad and disturbing matter.
The investigation will bring to the fore all those who had a hand in the production of the brochure as well as help identify the lapses that led to the factual inaccuracies and grammatical errors so that the necessary precautions will be put in place in the production of subsequent brochures. We must all endeavour to spare our nation such demeaning situation in the future.
Source; Public Agenda
