Afrikan Goddess (AG) Online

Marking another Year of Independence and Freedom.

Seventeen African countries will mark their fiftieth year of Independence this year. There will be golden jubilee celebrations to commemorate these occasions in both the home countries and among its citizens dispersed across the globe. Many, however, question that in looking back fifty years, what has Africa really achieved? Looking at these seventeen countries as sovereign states, what are their accomplishments, and what is there to celebrate?

I think there is always something to celebrate even despite the surmountable amount of negatives. Yes, the continent as a whole might still be one of the most underdeveloped in the world, but taking the continent apart, and delving into the countries as individual nations, I’m sure there is something to celebrate – if nothing at all, at least that they’re still standing amidst all the strive.

The seventeen countries that turn 50 this year were all declared independent countries in 1960 and are:

Cameroon (January 1), Togo (April 27), Madagascar (June 26), Democratic Republic of Congo (June 30), Somalia (July 1), Benin (August 1), Niger (August 3), Burkina Faso (August 5), Ivory Coast/Cote D’Ivoire (August 7), Chad (August 11), Central African Republic (August 13), Congo (August 15), Gabon (August 17), Senegal (August 20), Mali (September 22), Nigeria (October 1), and Mauritania (November 28).

There will also be celebrations of independence by two countries that set the pace in the fight and attainment of independence. Ghana will mark fifty-three years of independence this year on March 6, and Guinea will mark fifty-two years as a free country on October 2.

Celebrations often are times of reflection and taking stock. And as we celebrate independence and freedom from colonial rule, there are a few questions that citizens and governments of these countries should reflect on:

How far have we come since then?

Is it positive change, or negative change? How far better off are we now than we were fifty-three years ago? Can we proudly say we are truly independent and prosperous as nations, and as people of these nations? Are we proud of where we stand today or are there times when we look over our shoulders and wish something was different?

No matter what the answers to the above, the fact still remains that Africa as a continent is far better off than it was fifty-three years ago when black men were slaves ruled on their own land. Africa as a continent is far better off than it was fifty-three years ago when freedom and justice were faraway dreams we dreamt to achieve. And Africa as a continent is far better off than it was fifty-three years ago because we can look to the future and know that all is not lost as long as we strive to be better with positive attitudes and renewed focus.

To the seventeen who celebrate their golden jubilees this year, cheers and welcome to the 50 year mark, From Afrikan Goddess.