(University of Copenhagen, 2002-12) Mukandala, Rwekaza S.
It is almost forty years today since Ghana gained her independence in 1956 and
joined Ethiopia, Egypt and Liberia as an independent African country. While Ghana
was a trailblazer in gaining independence in Sub-Saharan Africa, which was a very
positive, and joyous development, she has also been a trailblazer in other instances
some of which not as positive. Also she has been a follower in others. Her history
reflects what has invariably happened in the rest of Africa: a successful nationalist
struggle, independence, optimistic euphoria, military coups, assassinations and
betrayal, social movements, social protests and struggles for democracy and
livelihood, continued subordination to global capitalism: falling proceeds from
exports, rising costs of imports and debt, falling standards of living and declining
livelihoods.