A former General Secretary of the Convention People’s Party (CPP), Prof. Nii Noi Dowuona has described as disgraceful attempts by the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) to credit Ghana’s independence to the founders of the United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC).
The ruling government through a lecture delivered by Speaker of Parliament, Prof. Mike Ocquaye last Friday claimed that founders of the UGCC are the real founders of modern Ghana not Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah.
“Those who met at that time to fashion out independence for the Gold Coast did not at that time include Kwame Nkrumah, though he was to come later and add significantly to the struggle,” he argued.
The Speaker was referring to the August 4, 1947 meeting at Saltpond which led to the formation of the UGCC.
Prof. Ocquaye believes this meeting laid the foundation for Ghana’s independence hence Nkrumah cannot be said to be the only founder of Ghana.
“It is imperative to echo loudly that Nkrumah was not “the Founder” of Ghana. I consider him one of the founding fathers; something similar to Paul who was not there when Christ gave the last supper,” he claimed.
Prof. Ocquaye said the real founders of Ghana are the forbearers of the ruling NPP and that Nkrumah became one of them by virtue of his invitation to come and help with the running of the UGCC.
Prof. Nii Noi Dowuona however says Prof. Mike Ocquaye’s claims are disgraceful saying Nkrumah’s contributions are well documented.
“Anybody trying to rewrite Ghana’s rewrite, as we’ve seen being done is like taking your barefoot to hit a stone. Who will come out bruised? The stone will be intact, you will come out bruised if not even amputated,” he said.
The former CPP General Secretary says Nkrumah’s role is well documented saying Nkrumah is a subject of study.
“I find those who are making the veil effort to be disgracing themselves in their small corner in Ghana. Any effort in this regard is just sheer waste of time and it will be a shame onto those people,” he argued.
Prof. Nii Noi Dowuona said the ruling government is just expressing its views noting the Nkrumahist stock will not tolerate them.
“Those of us who are progressives and avowed Nkrumahists we need not waste our time or be worried about this,” he argued.
He stated that “Nkrumah's role with the CPP in the fight or struggle for independence does not have any equal and there is no match and there is no other fellow who has played that role.”
