Founder's Day or Founders' Day
Page 7
Post Scriptum
The premise of this work was predicated on dissecting the heated issue of WHO FOUNDED GHANA? More profoundly, the cataclysm of distorting our history is dear to my heart, thereby giving me the extreme urge in writing this concise volume.
History is history, and as stated earlier, pragmatic efforts should be made to preserve it. Positive transformational psychology begets positivity in all consensuses and this philosophy should be drummed till it sinks in the parochial minds of the few who would want to falsify claims with regards to our history.
It is evidentially clear that Ghana as we presently have it, did not just bolt from the blues. More so, Ghana is not the direct result of any man’s work; herein, Kwame Nkrumah. Ghana was borne out through the collective effort and sheer determination of J. B. Danquah and Co. There is no element of deceit in this. Danquah was a visionary and an embodiment of self service. He gave a name to the country we call Ghana today amongst many others. It is rather sad that the truth tastes sour in the mouth of others thus their utmost repulsive attitude in accepting what it there to be told. The progenitors of the NPP were first Ghanaians before their ideological affiliation. For me, it is a plus that these bold academics were the founding fathers of the tradition I believe in. Furthermore, at the time when Casely Hayford, Mensah Sarbah, Atta-Ahomah and co were fighting for the rights of the “Gold Coasters”, Danquah and co were nurturing their abilities and maturing in the political vineyard as Oquaye will put it. This very fact is key. This means UGCC, as stated earlier was not “just a coincidence”. These people knew politics was about more brain than brawn and governance was a serious business. There will be the need of very knowledgeable people to help build a solid foundation. They prepared themselves for leadership. Where was Kwame Nkrumah then? If not for the invitation by the UGCC, will he, Nkrumah have thought of his country, talk less of coming to fight for independence? Let us not be self-conceited. Let us give to Jack what is due and Jill what is. Nkrumah was not the founder of Ghana; J. B. Danquah, William Ofori Atta, Edward Akufo-Addo, Ebenezer Ako Adjei, Obetsebi Lamptey and others were. Africanus Horton, Casely Hayford, Mensah Sarbah and others also did their bit. If in case there is a day to be established as a FOUNDERS’ DAY, it should be 4th AUGUST. This is the date on which the political movements which birthed the freedom of the Gold Coast and the founding of Ghana came into existence.
Ghanaians may have diverse political ideologies; it is good for our country but it should not cloud our sense of good judgments. When Shakespeare wrote about the world being a stage and human beings mere players who only come to play a role and bow out when the curtain is drawn, he meant we should appreciate the work of every one.
One of the greatest lessons in the study of classics was the statement the Roman General made when he conquered the greatest empire, Carthage. He said, “Today, I have learnt a great lesson – that in this life, not only men, not only families, not only towns and cities but empires shall pass away.” That day, he predicted the fall of Rome. This lesson is indeed great. All things shall pass away, HISTORY WILL STILL REMAIN. Glory be to God!
References
1.Oquaye, Mike. Politics in Ghana, 1972 – 79, Accra, Tornado Publications, 1980.
2.Oquaye, Mike. Politics in Ghana 1982-1992, Accra, Tornado Publications, 2004.
3.Ray, Donald. Ghana: Politics, Economics and Society. (London: 1980).
4.Busia, K. A. The Position of the Chief in the Modern Traditional System of Ashanti (1951).
5.Gold Coast Legislative Assembly Debate, 3 March 1954.
6.F. M. BOURRET. Ghana, The Road to Independence 1919-1957, Stanford University Press, 1960.
7.Severusa Septimius, 2011. Nkrumah: The Untold Story, Ghanaian Chronicle, pages 12-14.
8.Robin Hallett, Africa since 1875: a Modern History, p. 303.
9.https://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761570799/Ghana.html Encarta article on Ghana "the new state took its name from that of the medieval empire of Ghana" is third line down from the top. Archived 2009-11-01.
10.McLaughlin & Owusu-Ansah (1994), "Early Manifestations of Nationalism".
11.McLaughlin & Owusu-Ansah (1994), "The Growth of Opposition to Nkrumah".
12.Allan D. Ohene (March 2002). "Ghana before Independence". Ghana General Info-History. Lion's Den Ltd
13."Ghana is 50, UGCC is 60, too". News:Editorials (The Statesman). 26 March, 2007
14."Joseph B. Danquah", Encyclopedia of World Biography.
15.Oquaye, Mike, 2013. THE NEW PATRIOTIC PARTY (NPP) AND THE DANQUAH-BUSIA-DOMBO TRADITION’S CONTRIBUTION TO THE ESTABLISHMENT AND DEEPENING OF THE DEMOCRATIC CULTURE AND PRACTICE IN GHANA, NPP 21st Anniversary.
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Nana Yaw Amoah-Yeboah
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