5 top achievements of Ghana since independence

Ghana attained political independence from the British in 1957 and became the first sub-Saharan country to do so. The country’s name was changed from Gold Coast to Ghana and inspired the independence fight of the rest of Africa. Under its first president Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and others who followed later, the country has chalked some successes. We outline some of the major achievements of the country in this article, chronicling events since independence:

Stable Democracy: Ghana is known for its stable democracy, which has been upheld since 1992. Ghana has had several peaceful and transparent elections, and power has been transferred from one democratically elected government to another without any significant incidents of violence or unrest. That is not to say the country also suffered its fair share of post-independence power struggles; the era defined by multiple coups and shortlived elected governments.

Economic Growth: Ghana has experienced significant economic growth in recent years, with an average annual growth rate of 7.4% between 2017 and 2019. The country has made significant progress in diversifying its economy, with sectors such as agriculture, mining, and services contributing significantly to the GDP. Though at the time of writing this article, the country is undergoing its worst economic turmoil with unprecedented inflation and exorbitant prices of goods which all affect the living conditions of the populace, the country still remains a bright economic hub for businesses.

Education: Ghana has made significant progress in improving access to education for its citizens. The country has achieved universal primary education, and the number of children enrolled in secondary education has increased significantly in recent years. The introduction of the Free SHS policy in 2017 has seen a significant increase in enrollment in second-cycle institutions. Ghana has at least 14 public universities and 10 technical universities and 46 colleges of education. There are also over 100 nursing and midwifery colleges in the country. The country’s top universities have been home to thousands of foreign students since independence.

Health: Ghana’s health system is one of the best in Africa and the country has been a leading force in containing several outbreaks of diseases in recent times with the Ebola virus and the recent Covid outbreaks being examples of how proactive the country’s health systems are. With over 2,000 public and private health facilities, Ghana’s health system is suited to cater to its increasing populace. The country has a number of teaching hospitals including the Korbe Bu Teaching Hospital, Cape Coast, Ho, Komfo Anokye, and Tamale Teaching hospitals that serve as training centers for the country’s medical students. The National Health Insurance Scheme implemented in the early 2000s has helped shaped the country’s health system, opening access to many especially the poor. The country has invested in building and equipping modern hospitals and clinics, training and retaining highly skilled healthcare workers, and providing access to essential medicines. The country’s efforts have resulted in a significant reduction in maternal and child mortality rates, as well as the eradication of several infectious diseases.

Sports: Ghana is known for its achievements in sports, particularly football (soccer). The country has won several international tournaments, including the African Cup of Nations four times, and has also produced several world-renowned football players. Ghana remains the only African country to win gold at the male U-20 FIFA World Cup and is among the only four African countries o reach the quarter-finals of the FIFA World Cup. Boxing has also been one of the top sporting areas of interest to the country with legends such as Azumah Nelson, Ike Quartey, Joshua Clottey, and Joseph Agbeko.

In conclusion, though not where its potentials suggest, Ghana has made significant progress in various areas since gaining independence in 1957. The country has achieved stable democracy, experienced significant economic growth, improved access to education and healthcare, and made significant achievements in sports. However, there is still much work to be done to achieve the country’s full potential, especially in improving the lives of the citizens.