It is unfortunate that, 60 years after independence, the history of the events leading to it continues to be embroiled in unnecessary controversy, due largely to partisan political considerations of the moment.
It is clear that successive generations of Ghanaians made vital contributions to the liberation of our country from imperialism and colonialism. It is, therefore, fitting that we honour them, as those who contributed to the founding of our nation.
The most appropriate way to honour them is to commemorate the day on which the two most significant events in our colonial political history, that led us to independence, occurred – 4th August.
On that day, in 1897, the Aborigines Rights Protection Society (ARPS) was formed in Cape Coast. The Society did a great job to mobilise the chiefs and people to ward off the greedy hands of British imperialism to ensure that control of Ghanaian lands remained in Ghanaian hands. It represented the first monumental step towards the making of modern Ghana, enabling us to avoid the quagmire of land inheritance that our brothers and sisters in Southern and Eastern Africa continue to suffer, from the seizures of their lands by white minorities.
In a deliberate act in the continuum of Ghanaian history, exactly fifty years later, on 4th August, 1947, at Saltpond, the great nationalists of the time gathered to inaugurate the United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC), the first truly nationalist party of the Gold Coast, to demand the independence of our nation from British rule, at a gathering which included “paramount chiefs, clergymen, lawyers, entrepreneurs, teachers, traders and men and women from all walks of life in the Gold Coast”, according to an eye witness. The inauguration set the ball rolling for our nation’s attainment of independence, and for the dramatic events, including the birth in 1949 of the Convention Peoples Party (CPP), that ushered us into freedom.
That day, 4th August, is, thus, obviously the most appropriate day to signify our recognition and appreciation of the collective efforts of our forebears towards the founding of a free, independent Ghana.
It is equally clear that the first leader of independent Ghana, and the nation’s 1st President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, played an outstanding role in helping to bring to fruition the works of the earlier generations, and leading us to the promised land of national freedom and independence. It is entirely appropriate that we commemorate him for that role, by designating his birthday as the permanent day of his remembrance.
The President has, therefore, decided to propose legislation to Parliament to designate 4th August as FOUNDERS DAY, and 21st September as KWAME NKRUMAH MEMORIAL DAY, both of which will be observed as public holidays. In the meantime, the President has issued an Executive Instrument to commemorate this year’s celebration of KWAME NKRUMAH MEMORIAL DAY as a public holiday.
Source: Peacefmonline.com
Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. |
Let the NPP change this name to whatever they want. When we NDC come back we would change it back to the owner(Kwame Nkrumah). There are a lot of people who contribute to Nana Addo's victory as president of Ghana. So should we say that all those people should called president? even within Npp party people word hard to help the party win and as we talk some of them have not been giving any appointment but they all agree that not every one can get the chance. Aaah Nana this one paa di3 noo noo nooo. Is too clear for people to read into your mind
The President has, therefore, decided to propose legislation to Parliament to designate 4th August as FOUNDERS DAY, and 21st September as KWAME NKRUMAH MEMORIAL DAY, both of which will be observed as public holidays. In the meantime, the President has issued an Executive Instrument to commemorate this year’s celebration of KWAME NKRUMAH MEMORIAL DAY as a public holiday. This means I get 1 day in August and then another in September. Sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet !!
NPP was in power for eight solid years (2000-2008) yet this issue never came up. So why now? This debate has nothing to do with the NPP and their beliefs and ideals. Someone is only trying so hard for his family members to gain the recognition they do not deserve in the Ghana's history. ahantan paa nie!!!
GHANA HAS ONLY ONE FOUNDER-NKRUMAH.GHANAIANS CELEBRATE FOUNDER'S DAY.NOTHING CAN CHANGE THAT,NO MATTER HOW HARD NANA ADDO TRIES!!
Dear Parliament, As you can see here we the citizens/netizens are very happy about this HOLIDAY . No opposition of any sort on this issue so please oya! Accept it respectively. THANK YOUUUUUU
we want our TVT the truth shall make u free.
Wise president indeed. I salute you, your excellency. This is the kind of quality leadership that has eluded our country for some years. Am truly proud of you, King Solomon Nana Addo
Nana! This is Excellent History. Do you recollect when TransVoltaTogoland (TVT) was added to the Gold Coast to make the Gold Coast into GHANA? PLEBICIDE, PLEBISIDE, PLEBSIDE, PLEASE SIT ASIDE? Something like that. That is what my grandpa told me. I do not undertand the word but my grandpa tells me that he was there when the "DISEASE" of "plebiside" was declared on his generaration. Can you help? LOVE YOU.
Kwame Nkrumah was the main man that proclaimed independence thereby giving birth to Ghana. Any effort to dethrone Nkrumah will be resisted.
What a wise leader we have in Nana Addo!In fact Ghana is working again. We've waited for this leadership for a long time. God bless Ghana.