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Circumstances and events dramatize Ghana's political
realities
Ho, Jan. 16, GNA - The interplay of circumstances and events
at a choral festival held in Ho last Saturday as part of
'Ghana@50' activities, dramatized the country's political
history, a nation's anxiety and expectations, dashed hopes
and a brighter horizon.
The events, mainly choral renditions portrayed the Ghanaian
character of national pride, hope, liveliness, resilience
and faith in God.
As the mass choir sang the festival anthem, 'Ghana nyigba,
yayra toe nenye", which translated thus; "Ghana, you are a
blessed land" in Ewe by Kodzo Tibu, the Dela Cathedral,
venue for the festival, went silent with an atmosphere of
nostalgic feelings and emotions descending on the audience.
The festival theme; "Reflections," pervaded the atmosphere
as the participating bands sang more patriotic and religious
songs of exhortation, boosted by thought provoking remarks
on national life by Major Courage Quarshigah (rtd), Minister
of Health.
Dwelling on the religious nature of Ghanaians, Major
Quashigah called on the Clergy to educate their followers to
see work as a form of religious worship, adding that, Sunday
worships are an opportunity to "re-energise for greater
works".
Earlier, the crowd and choirs, like the anxious citizens at
independence, could not hold their patience at the late
arrival of the dignitaries resulting in a two-hour delay of
the event.
Gauging the atmosphere, Major Quashigah apologised for the
delay, which he attributed to differences in time stated on
invitation cards for the commencement of the event.
He said henceforth, such anomalies should be investigated
because of their negative effect on society.
In response, the captive audience and enthusiastic choirs
transformed their impatience into a happy atmosphere
oblivious of the ticking away of the clock towards 1800
hours when the lights in the Cathedral were scheduled to go
off as a result of the current load shedding exercise.
Events, however, came to a head when the lights went off
just as the Global Evangelical Church Choir was to mount the
platform, having waited patiently for their turn, which was
interrupted several times to allow other choirs to perform.
Some members of the choir called for a boycott arguing that
they could not sing in the darkness because they were not
"faceless" people.
When reason eventually prevailed the Global Choir's
rendition of, "This is the day the Lord has made" stirred
the audience to its feet while the darkness lasted.
Not long afterwards the lights came on to a thunderous
applause followed by a standing ovation as the choir
rendered moving songs.
Major Quarshigah said while the darkness lasted he kept
praying and hoping for the lights to come on, adding that,
the hitch was a "test of faith", required in the pursuit of
things the people hoped for.
GNA
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