Village boy Impressions

The following discourse was presented by my good friend, Martin Akandawen  during an inter-university debate. He presents very cogent arguments on why all the tension and hullabaloo before, during, and after Ghana's 2016 elections should not be seen or feared as a sign of deep ethnic divisions in the country. Enjoy.   Mr. Martin Akandawen in traditional regalia Mr. Chairman, Panel of Judges, Distinguished Guests, Time Keeper, Fellow Debaters, Ladies And Gentlemen, I rise to speak on the motion: “Pre-election, election, and post-election happenings show deep ethnic divisions in Ghana." Ghana is hailed highly among her peers for the many successful peaceful elections we have conducted so far. We have engraved our name in stone as a beacon of democracy that is worth emulating. This feat was chalked on the back of more than two decades of pre-election, election, and post-election happenings in this country and not on a single event or by sudden flight. Where therefore is

“6th of March! March!  Nineteen fifty-seven, seven!  Ghaaana, independence day! Ghana is marching,  Ghana is marching, Ghana, Ghana,  Ghana is mar—ching!” Those were the words we sang, with our shrill voices Shuffling our feet and swinging our arms  Proud even though we knew little of what we sang And we all loved the '6th March' marching day, But surely that was a long long time ago. But what is there to tell about mother Ghana now? They say, we said our country was free forever And yet every day I see her in heavy chains They say, we said, we could manage our own affairs But when last I checked,  The Impossible Mission Fund (IMF) was still in charge. They say, they said, well, isn’t that all we know? The days have gone down in the west;  and now you are old, dear mother. The elderly should recount the good old days.  And the young talk endlessly about dreams,  And castles in the air But what do you talk about at your age?  'good ol