Ghana’s Founders’ Day is celebrated on every August 4th since the year 2019 as it marks two important events in Ghana’s history. It is the date for the formation of the Aborigines’ Rights Protection Society by John Mensah Sarbah in 1897, and the formation of the United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC) in 1947 by J.B. Danquah and George Alfred “Paa” Grant.
The day is used to celebrate the gallant men and women who contributed in one way or the other towards the attainment of statehood. However, the full story has not been put into its proper perspective for the contemporary reader.
Presenting a commemorative statement on the Floor of Parliament on the subject, the Member of Parliament for Kwadaso in the Ashanti region, Dr. Kingsley Nyarko recounted the history of the country’s independence struggle to bless the memories of these gallant men and women.
Below is the full statement to mark the 2021 Founders’ Day Celebration.
A COMMEMORATIVE STATEMENT ON FOUNDERS’ DAY BY HON. DR. KINGSLEY NYARKO, MP, KWADASO
Our Founders, our Foundation and Future
Rt. Hon Speaker;On 4th August 1947, the first political party—United Gold Coast Convention was formed at Saltpond in Cape Coast. This political party was formed by patriots and nationalists, who by dint of hard work, sacrifice, dedicated service and commitment to the country, led the struggle that culminated in our independence on 6th March, 1957. These were individuals who felt they owed the country, and not the reverse, and sought to use every legitimate means to deliver the country and her people from oppression, despondency and servitude. Theirs was a fight, not only for the present, but most importantly, for the future.
Mr. Speaker, these selfless leaders had envisioned a future of hope, harmony and happiness; and to realize that, they felt the need to harness the talents, skills and abilities of the people to benefit both the present and future generations. Mr. Speaker, these leaders were our founders, foundation and future. Their struggles, toils and determination served as the foundation for the birth of the country on March 6, 1957, and the virtues they espoused—selflessness, sacrifice, patriotism were supposed to oil the foundation for a better future.Â
Rt. Hon Speaker, Nyarko (2017) observed that the independence of Ghana was not realized on a silver platter; as a matter of fact, it took years of struggle, pain, disappointment, betrayal, and even deaths before we were able to gain freedom from our colonial overlords—the British. The patriots who sacrificed their energy, resources, and lives deserve commendation, and must be celebrated.
Mr. Speaker, this statement is not being made to show the superiority of one individual over the other; neither is it being made to whittle down the contributions of any person towards our freedom and the development of our motherland. Mr. Speaker, this statement is being made on this memorable day to enable us to know our past heroes and how they contributed to our present state of development, and what we have to do differently to ensure a prosperous future. Ghana, our motherland, is a great land with beautiful people and extraordinary talents; it is a land of great opportunities, possibilities and resources. With our distinct diversities expressed in our ethnicities and cultures, we have the opportunity to overcome the impediments that have, over the years, derailed our efforts of enduring progress.
Mr. Speaker, I am referring to poverty, diseases, hatred, selfishness, greed, corruption and other social vices. These are the obstructions that threaten our survival, and must be dealt with in unison to guarantee our socio-economic turnaround. Rt. Hon. Speaker, our divisions are obvious, our differences are conspicuous, but what we need to acknowledge is that differences and diversities are needed for us to grow, to become better, and overcome our environment.
Mr. Speaker, according to Nyarko (2017), during the era of colonial rule, our forefathers had differences, yet, they came together to pursue a collective and worthy goal—the deliverance from colonial domination. Some had the vision, others pursued it, and others made it a possibility. We need to commend them all; they all deserve to be eked in gold in the annals of our history. Mr. Speaker, the vision is not fully attained; we have to fully commit ourselves to it and ensure its achievement. As our first president once said, “our independence is meaningless until it is linked up with the total liberation of Africa.” This is the vision we have to accomplish, but in accomplishing it, we must understand that we cannot do so when divided; we cannot realize it when we allow excessive partisanship to take over our consciences and our obligation to produce a better and fulfilling future for the present generation and posterity.
Mr. Speaker, in every society, community or country, “there were people who stood in the gap between the present and the future; these are individuals who wanted to leave an enduring legacy for posterity. These are people who came to the conclusion that they have to live for the future; never valued their existence until it was linked to the liberation of their people. We don’t only live to eat and die, but to impact our world and leave a legacy for our generation and subsequent ones. Because the meaningfulness of our existence lies in the impact we make on society, we need to consciously reward patriotism and acts that encourage others to sacrifice their lives for the benefit of society” (Nyarko, 2017). That is why we need to embrace the Founders’ Day and make it part of our collective existence.
Mr. Speaker, sixty years before independence, in 1847, a pressure group—Aborigines Rights Protection Society (ARPS) was formed with the objective of safeguarding the property of the indigenes. In 1911, when the colonial administration wanted to introduce the Forest Ordinance, they fought it until it was later passed in 1926. It was this same Society that stood behind the Big Six when they were arrested and detained. The leadership of the ARPS contributed to our attainment of independence.Â
Mr. Speaker, we cannot overlook the critical role played by J. E. Casely Hayford, who formed the West African Conference in 1917, which later became the West African Congress in 1920. This was the first pressure group that clearly demanded self-determination from the colonial administration. Their aim was to invite the West African colonies under the British to demand self-determination and no taxation without representation. Three of their most crucial demands were self-government which should be implemented in order to enable peoples of African descent to be part of the governance of their own country, the granting of elective franchise and the abolishing of the system of nomination to the Legislative Council because of its undemocratic nature (Ofosu-Appiah, 1974).
Mr. Speaker, upon his return home in 1927 after obtaining his doctorate degree, J. B. Danquah, together with journalists such as Nnamdi Azikiwe, K. A. B. Jones Quartey, provided the enabling political atmosphere that raised national consciousness and awareness towards emancipation. Through their platforms, the indigenes were made aware of issues in the country, their despondency, and neglect to second-class citizens on the land of their birth. It must be stated unequivocally that it was through the toil and sacrifices of these nationalists that awakened the consciousness of the people to demand that a delegation of chiefs and the people be sent to protest at the colonial office in London over the Criminal Code (Amendment) Ordinance, popularly called the Sedition Bill, and the Water Works Ordinance of 1934. Mr. Speaker, Dr. J. B. Danquah was the leader of the delegation as the secretary, and demanded, in addition to the two demands indicated above, an increase in the number of Africans on the Legislative Council, the election of the provincial council members for the Eastern Province by the Whole Provincial Council, and non-chiefs becoming provincial members (Ofosu-Appiah, 1974).
Rt. Hon. Speaker, in the 1940s, there was an unquenchable demand for freedom as the intelligentsia gave their all and made sure that the people participated in determining their own destiny. As a result, when upon a meeting between J. B. Danquah and Mr. George Alfred Grant in Sekondi, the idea to establish a political party was non-negotiable. Mr. Grant was not happy about the myriad of socio-economic issues at the time and said to Dr. Danquah, “Danquah, the country is slipping down the hill, and what are you doing about it?” Dr. J. B. Danquah replied, “I am in your hands, Sir.” Mr. Speaker, this interaction paved the way for a meeting among Dr. Danquah, Mr. F. Awoonor-Williams, Mr. R. S. Blay, and Mr. Grant. It was at this meeting that led to the eventual formation of the UGCC in Saltpond, on 4th August, 1947.
Mr. Speaker, this day, in no doubt, was the defining moment towards the attainment of independence in the Gold Coast. At the inauguration, Mr. Grant was elected the chairman for the occasion, and Dr. J. B. Danquah delivered the inaugural address. The address was so potent and touching to the extent that it was able to create a national awareness, and craving for freedom. After the speech, which was greeted with deafening applause, Mrs. J. B. Eyeson mounted the podium and said, “Dr. Danquah, we had in the past given enthusiastic support to the cause of the Church. Today it is the cause of the nation. Women of the country are behind you.” (Ofosu-Appiah, 1974, p.52, 53).
Mr. Speaker, it must also be stated without equivocation, that the advent of the UGCC provided the fertile ground for our freedom. In fact, it was the forerunner to our independence. Being the first political party in the country, the pure intentions and activities of the leadership contributed in making the attainment of independence possible. Mr. Speaker, during this period, Kwame Nkrumah was not in the country; but was recommended by Mr. Arko-Adjei to the executive committee of the UGCC. He was later invited and became the secretary of the convention.Â
Mr. Speaker, the leadership of the UGCC, as a result of their passion for freedom, paid Kwame Nkrumah’s travelling expenses, and he arrived in the country on 10th December, 1947. It must also be noted that, among the leadership of the convention, he was the only person who received monthly salary. Mr. speaker, for the other nationalists to use their own resources to bring Kwame Nkrumah back home and pay his salary to help in the emancipation struggle, clearly shows their determination and commitment to our freedom. Mr, Speaker, Kwame Nkrumah, in June 1949, left the UGCC, formed the Convention Peoples Party, that eventually led us to our independence on 6th March, 1957.Â
Mr. Speaker, on this memorable day, permit me to salute all our gallant men and women who contributed in one way or the other towards our attainment of statehood. Let us all join hands to bless the memories of Yaa Asantewaa, Casely Hayford, Dr. Joseph Boakye Danquah, Kwame Nkrumah, J. W. de Graft-Johnson, John Mensah Sarbah, Jacob Kwaw Wilson Sey, Baffour Osei Akoto, Simon Diedong Dombo, Dr. Kofi Abrefa Busia, Edward Akufo-Addo, Ako-Adjei, Obetsebi Lamptey, William Ofori-Atta, Robert Samuel Blay, George Alfred Grant, Alhaji Yakubu Tali, Nii Kwabena Bonnie III and the many other men and women who through their selfless, dedicated and sacrificial service helped in founding Ghana. May God bless their respective souls and continue to give them a peaceful rest!!!
In conclusion, Mr. Speaker, I admonish us all to reflect deeply on this day, and come to the realization that our founders laid the foundation for a better future for Ghana—a future we must work assiduously to attain!!!God bless Ghana!!!
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