Flyover to be named after Paa Grant

Accra, March 20, GNA - Government is to name the flyover at Alajo on the Kwame Nkrumah-Achimota road after George Alfred Grant (Paa Grant) as part of a number of steps towards recognising the nations heroes. The President has further directed the Ministry of Tourism, Local Government to rehabilitate the image and underscore the contribution Paa Grant made to the struggle for independence of the Gold Coast.

Mr Hackman Owusu-Agyeman, Minister of Water Resources, Works and Housing made this known in response to a statement of Tribute to George Alfred Grant by Mr Lee Ocran, NDC-Jomoro.

Mr Owusu-Agyeman said Paa Grant as one of the prominent nationalists will be given due recognition, adding that he played a significant role in developing Ghana democratic history.

Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom, Minister of Public Sector Reform described Paa Grant as one of the many Ghanaians who sacrificed their lives for the country.

"He dedicated a lot of his finances to the development of the United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC) and lent his reputation to the emancipation of the country."

He noted Paa Grant as a devoted and selfless politician and businessman in the arena of politics.

"We salute him and his colleagues, since he did not do this single-handedly as others have tried to impute."

Mr Kojo Armah, CPP-Evalue Gwira said a country that does not recognize its heroes was not worth dying for and argued that people such as Paa Grant must be given their due.

"By this the youth of the country would know how the history of the country came about and thereby get inspired to do more for the country. We must do well not to erase their memories in our history." Mr Kwadwo Baah Wiredu, Minister of Finance and Economic Planning said Paa Grant had foresight to inspire the people. He expressed concern that Paa Grant's hometown and grave site had been left in shambles and in a despicable state . "In other countries such as Greece and other parts of Europe, sites and graves of such people are developed and given worthy images and are huge source of revenue for development," he said stressing, 93this is what we must work at and build monuments and also develop the grave sites of national heroes to generate additional revenue for the state."

Mr Alban Bagbin, Minority Leader in his contribution said Paa Grant contributed immensely to the development and growth of the Aborigines Rights Protectionist Society, 93he supported them financially being a timber merchant who did not use his wealth for himself alone.

"He should be considered the father of democracy in Ghana having invited J.B. Danquah and Dr Kwame Nkrumah from his own finances into the country to fight the colonial masters."

Mr Ocran in his tribute said Paa Grant was worried about the political situation in the Gold Coast, especially the lack of opportunities for the Gold Coasters and the need to emancipate the people.

"Through his business operations, the suppression of the aspirations of the indigenous people became very clear to him."

He singled out Pa Grant as the father of politics having formed the first political movement in 1947 to fight for independence for the Gold Coast and received support from colleagues like R.R. Blay a prominent lawyer in Sekondi.

Mr Ocran said Paa Grant has not been accorded the honour he deserved even though a street has been named after him in Tema and a statue built in Takoradi; 93but I believe he deserves better." 20 March 07