Last year when the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Gyaakye Quayson, appeared before the Parliamentary Appointments Committee for approval, he was asked a question to either sing the national anthem or recite the national pledge.
He seemed ruffled and irritated as to suggest that he was there for serious business about his competence and capacity and there should not be room for irrelevant and trivial questions.
He did not feel any embarrassment as he would have felt if it had been a slip or error in English Language.
My reaction to the matter was that as Ghanaians we seem to be jokers when it comes to matters of deep and serious national interest, at the peril of patriotism and nationhood.
But that there are certain basic issues and principles that could help us develop intense affection and bonding for everything that has significance for us as a people and nation.
I reinforced my position with an observation from Nigeria, where the singing of the anthem and recitation of the pledge have become objective standards for approving or rejecting nominees.
I argued that although the National Pledge and the National Anthem could not, by themselves, establish a person’s competence or capacity, they represent more valuable and intrinsic values that are essential to nation-building and patriotism.
I further argued that if an appointee could neither recite the National Pledge nor sing the National Anthem, what would happen at an international conference if a colleague from another country approached him and asked him to explain the significance of the Ghanaian flag, National Anthem and National Pledge?
What meaningful explanation could he offer about these important symbols of the country he represents?.
Reiterate
I am returning to the issue again because there were some who described my write-up then as “much ado about nothing”.
Yet, recently, when my roommate, President John Dramani Mahama, met some members of the national football team on their return from the 2026 FIFA World Cup, he, whether sarcastically or jovially, bemoaned the fact that when the National Anthem is played, our footballers tend to remain passive, unlike players of other countries who enthusiastically join in singing their national anthem.
He therefore encouraged them to join the chorus and sing the National Anthem at international events, stressing that doing so gives the country presence and spirit.
His observation, in my view, reinforces the very point I made in my earlier write-up that while the ability to sing the National Anthem or recite the National Pledge does not, in itself, establish competence or capacity, these national symbols carry intrinsic values of patriotism, national identity and civic consciousness that are important to nation-building.
Respecting national and ethnic values is more than critical in building nations. It underlines the Ghanaianess in us by way of comportment, religious tolerance and many other cherished values.
Our compatriots who acquire citizenship of other countries including the US and UK, would tell you how much nationalism plays out.
As many times as you fail on those denominators, you have to go through the process at another time.
How much would it be if we understand the words of both the anthem and pledge as well as the significance of the object and colours of the National Flag.
If we believe and trust in them, we would readily and willingly protect our national resources and not treat them with scorn.
No matter how skilful and talented an individual may be, whether in sports, industry or any other profession, an appreciation of our national symbols can help instil a sense of patriotism and motivate them to go the extra mile to win laurels for the country and pursue the national interest rather than personal fame.
If they see themselves first and foremost as Ghanaians, not British, American or citizens of any other country, we should have made the effort to imbibe in them a sense of the importance of respecting and honouring our national symbols and working for the collective good rather than individual glory.
That sense of national identity should encompass our culture, traditions and, and should not be determined solely by raw talent, financial muscle or the circumstances of one’s upbringing.
When we make the understanding, appreciation and familiarity of our national symbols and values, part of our basic obligation as citizens, all Ghanaians, including those of other nationalities will commit themselves to unalloyed loyalty and allegiance we owe our country so that we all live by the words of the national anthem and pledge.
That is why I am recommending that from now anyone who wants to serve at any public office, must be subjected to an interview process which must include adequate and thorough knowledge about our national symbols and values including the anthem, pledge. flag and some basic history of the country.
There must also be a demonstration that we know our country thoroughly and comprehensively and be able to speak and understand one Ghanaian language fluently.
More imperative, let our Parliament adopt a basic question to be asked about our national identity that could serve as an objective standard for approving ministerial and other appointees who have to go through Parliament to serve the nation.
Equally the national anthem and pledge must be part of all the official oaths sworn before taking up any public office, including the Executive, Legislature, Judiciary and all other public and civil service institutions mandated to take oaths before assuming office.
Let us understand that in his heyday, whenever Azumah Nelson was in the ring and felt lonely and despaired, he said it was the National Flag which sustained him and that the national anthem played before every match reminded him of his obligation to his country not only himself and whenever he thought that way, victory was in sight.
