At prolonged final, the golden jubilee 26th Africa Cup of Nations – Ghana 2008 match has occur and gone. Even although Ghana could not get the gold, she was ready to snatch the bronze medal and the country is patriotically richer than ever in advance of.
But a single legacy bequeathed Ghanaians by the match which ought to never ever be permitted to desert us as a people is the Spirit of Nationalism. And the 23 young gamers out of 22 million coaches, who carried the complete nation on their fragile shoulders and sweated below supreme pressures from January 20 to February 10, 2008, have been the twinkle, twinkle Black Stars of Ghana. The elegant Stars did the trick with their outstanding “soccerlistic” skills and topped it with their “kangaroonistic” acrobatic legs and pinching fingers to stride. It was only titillating and infectious like flu. It did not consider long ahead of other African nations, setting up with the almighty Nigeria, began to make photocopies of their copyright dancing techniques. No piracy in this article, make sure you! Michael Essien of Ghana is the originator, initiator and inventor of “Kangaroonistic” dance in Africa and in the earth of soccer. Any overall body who wants to replicate that dance need to obtain permission from him. Interval!
What shall we tell the gallant 23? “Ghana Black Starts off, “Ayikooo!” Bravo! You have chalked up what Napoleon could not have attained.” And we should often preserve this African proverb at the back of our minds: “Those people who did not acquire section in the warfare normally have the enjoyment to fume and critisise the battalions that they did not struggle hard more than enough.” Do not blame them, for they know not how monkey sweats.
As make any difference of simple fact, Ghana did extremely, really effectively. To be in a position to crush Guinea 2 – 1 pip Namibia 1 – demolish Nigeria 2 – 1 massacre Cote d’Ivoire 4- 2, ahead of lastly likely down – 1 towards Cameroon less than some specialized mishaps and “huhudious” officiating conspiracy, it was not a imply feat at all. In other phrases, with exception of Namibia, all the countries that Ghana crushed like vacant shells on the way in advance of snatching the Bronze medal are tremendous electrical power nations as far as football in Africa is worried. Just go and glimpse at the FIFA ranking of those nations on the continent in advance of the graduation of Ghana 2008 match.
About 20 many years ago, in 1987 to be exact, this writer watched an American film at the Govt Theatre of the then Ghana Movie Field Corporation (GFIC) in Accra. (I you should not very don’t forget the title of that movie). But in the film, a little boy of about 5, dwelling with his mother was naughty in some way. It was as if the boy deliberately poured some h2o on the dinning desk and his mom was mad. The mother started scolding him. She nagged and nagged and created insinuation to the boy’s father who was not at house at the time. Suddenly, this very small boy flared up, seemed at his substantial mother in the experience and retorted: “Mum, why are you nagging at me like that? Do not you know that I am an American?” The mother was so shocked and spell-bound that she could no for a longer time utter a phrase thereafter.
How do some nations on this planet of imperfection regulate to infuse or inculcate the spirit of patriotism into their citizens to the lengthen that, even when they go completely wrong in a person way or another, most of their citizens are even now well prepared to defend them or even lay down their life for their nations? At what age do they start out pumping the perception of patriotism into the minds of their citizens? And what returns do this sort of patriotic citizens be expecting again from their nations?
Fired up by this “holy” spirit of nationalism, some Ghanaians went to the extent of not only draping them selves in countrywide colours, but adorn their puppies, cats, rams, goats and fowls, with Ghana flags – all jubilating in support of the nationwide group – the Black Stars. Even some foreign nationals in Ghana or people who just came in to witness the celebration were so infested with the Ghanaian spirit of nationalism that they started off competing to establish that they ended up even extra Ghanaians than the Ghanaians on their own. (We say they are additional catholic than the Pope himself). It was just superb!
In August 2007, the Ministry of Info and National Orientation formally introduced the Nationwide Orientation Sensitisation Programme at the Accra Global Centre. It is pertinent to rapidly refresh our memory of the 5 Pillars of the National Orientation which have been unveiled on that situation: 1. Happy to be Ghanaian 2. Patriotism and a Spirit of “Ghana To start with” 3. Constructive and a “Can – Do – it “Attitude 4. Productiveness and Accountability and 5. Devotion and Willpower.
1 is still to carry out a scientific survey to decide the influence of the programme on the population. Nevertheless, through everyday observation so far, it will not be out of put to opine that because the start of the Nationwide Orientation programme, coupled with gradual but deliberate and sustained efforts by the Ministry to conscientise folks about the need to do points in a certain way as a people, bit by bit but progressively the spirit of patriotism or nationalism is currently being rekindled in the minds of a lot of Ghanaians. It can be concluded that at least, the Pillar N0 1, “Happy to be Ghanaian” has practically taken roots in the hearts of a lot of citizens of this loving region of hospitable persons.
Do you recall that all through the tournament, the Minister for Information and Countrywide Orientation, Hon Oboshie Sai Cofie, had to issue an formal assertion, reminding the overall country that any time the national anthem was becoming performed or sung, every physique ought to continue being standing and tranquil till the anthem was about? That was a straightforward but profound nationwide orientation instruction. So, even in our anxiousness to screen the depth of our patriotism, it is important to just take note of this sort of standard ethics of nationalism.
Even though it is the Info Ministry which initiated the policy, it requires the collaboration of other establishments these kinds of as the Nationwide Commission on Civic Schooling, the Ghana Instruction Provider, Commission on Culture, Fee on Little ones, the Church buildings, Mosques, the Shrines as effectively as individual mothers and fathers and academics to be able to efficiently govt it for the achievements of the Nationwide Orientation programme in the supreme interest of the nation.
At this juncture, it is vital to say a word of appreciation to all Ghanaians from the President of the Republic to the truck pusher at the Sodom and Gomorrah market place for the massive aid accorded the Countrywide Group. Ghanaian Parliamentarians manufactured far better noises than even the Supporters Unions who were being paid out to make noises. For individuals Pastors who cast away their orthodox cassocks for a second and put on dresses in countrywide colours to preach with their congregations blowing horns in the church buildings all dressed in nationwide colors, God has taken take note of the holy spirit of nationalism that descended on them.
Our Muslim brothers and sisters as well as the conventional worshipers could not be outdone in the significant guidance for the Black Stars. Did you see that man who normally went to the stadium with dwell guinea fowls? How about people who carried R.I.P.coffins of specific nations around the world and opponent gamers? They ended up all portion of psychological supporting methods. As for individuals who do not consider in the existence of God, God continue to enjoys them any way.
But if prizes have been to be awarded to people today or groups of ideal supporters of the Black Stars, Ghanaian females would have cleared all at stake palms down. Ghanaian females do not only know how to engage in football but they can analyse soccer and guidance the national crew in grand kinds. My goodness! I observed women of all styles and dimensions from toddlers to octogenarian supporting the Black Stars from January to December non prevent. It was outstanding. Aside from supporting the Black Stars as a Countrywide Workforce, Ghanaian girls instantly established girls supporters unions for every personal Black Star player.
Here is the record of Females Supporters Unions for all 23 players of the Ghana 2008 tournament:
1. Sammy Adjei – Girls Supporters Union
2. Hans Adu Sarpei – Girls Supporters Union
3. Asamoah Gyan – Gals Supporters Union
4. John Paintsil – Gals Supporters Union
5. John Mensah – Ladies Supporters Union
6. Anthony Annan – Women Supporters Union
7. Laryea Kingston – Women of all ages Supporters Union
8. Mihael Essien – Females Supporters Union
9. Manuel Agogo – Females Supporters Union
10. Kwadwo Asamoah – Women of all ages Supporters Union
11. Sulley Ali Muntari – Women of all ages Supporters Union
12. Andre Ayew – Girls Supporters Union
13. Baffour Gyan – Girls Supporters Union
14. Bernard Yao Kumordzi – Girls Supporters Union
15. Ahmed Apiamah Barusso – Females Supporters Union
16. Abdul Fatawu Dauda – Women Supporters Union
17. Nana Akwesi Asare – Females Supporters Union
18. Eric Addo – Ladies Supporters Union
19. Alhansan Illiasu – Females Supporters Union
20. Quincy Owusu-Abeyie – Females Supporters Union
21. Harrison Afful – Females Supporters Union
22. Richard Kingson – Ladies Supporters Union
23. Hamidu Draman – Ladies Supporters Union.
These ladies supporters unions can be uncovered in each individual home in Ghana now. And it was their singing, dancing and creative antics alone that provided the needed energy for the Black Stars to die for the country. Any challenger?
Closing ceremony
Ghana has succeeded in proving to the complete planet by the Africa Cup of Nations that Africa is a continent of wonderful cultural heritage. The basic but profound closing ceremony was outstanding in the historical past of the match. Only just one human being could have taken the trophy to the podium to be handed around to the winning team. But this basic act was dramatized with four solid bodybuilders a.k.a macho guys, carrying an innocent really very little woman like a substantial queen mom in a palanquin was magnificent.
The smiling sweet “black angel” was adorned in royal ornaments of gold and colourful kente headgear with conventional contact. The numerous “fontonfron” divine drummers stirred the basis of African culture and the Egyptian champions could not support but to try their very own palms on the drums and dancing like historic Pharaohs. When their floating spirits had been appeased, they solemnly and respectfully collected back again the superb sparkling trophy they introduced from Egypt from the fatherly palms of the President of the Republic of Ghana, H.E.J.A. Kufuor.
Fellow nation men and women of all ages, even if Ghana could not fulfill the target of “Host and Earn” desire, the Community Organising Committee (LOC) has performed the country happy. The event has elevated Ghana to the zenith of Globe football pyramid. There is no country that is worthy of its title in the earth nowadays can say she has not read of a state referred to as Ghana in West Africa.
What must be completed now as a country is not to cry over spilt milk or engage in blame activity. We will have to acknowledge our little, tiny organisational brief falls such as accreditations, ticketing and the potato-like fields of our superb stadia. The recent Black Stars will have to be managed and sustained so that they can keep on being in type at all occasions. There is a need to have to inject refreshing blood of first course strikers into the workforce. As for complex and medical elements of the team, I depart to the specialists. If we do our residence do the job really effectively, use creative visualisation procedures and petition God to be our Information, appear 2010, Ghana can win both the African Cup Nations in Angola and the Globe Cup in South Africa at ago. Remember that he who laughs final…