Founders' Day celebration: 4 reasons why Akufo-Addo must be applauded

Ghana on August 5, 2019, marks a holiday in celebrating her founding fathers who toiled to gain independence for the country.

The founding fathers were Ebenezer Ako Adjei, Edward Akufo-Addo, Joseph Boakye Danquah, Kwame Nkrumah, Emmanuel Obetsebi-Lamptey, William Ofori Atta.

Before coming to power in 2016, August 5 was not a holiday as the only one celebrated among the founding fathers was Ghana's first president Dr. Kwame Nkrumah on September 21.

President Akufo-Addo while in power argued that there is the need for all founding father to be celebrated and not only one, thus making August 5 a holiday to celebrate them.

Some section of Ghanaians especially those who often express their allegiance to Kwame Nkrumah has criticized the president for making August 5 a day to celebrate all founders.

They had argued that President Akufo-Addo established the day since his grandfather and uncles were part of the founding father but somehow not celebrated like Kwame Nkrumah.

In the middle of the argument, YEN.com.gh brings to you four reasons why President Akufo-Addo was right about asking Ghanaians to celebrate all founding fathers and not Kwame Nkrumah alone.

1. Kwame Nkrumah was not part of the original plan of Independence

Ghana's first president Dr Kwame Nkrumah is hailed by many as playing a pivotal role in gaining independence for Ghana, then the Gold Coast.

Yes, Kwame Nkrumah played a big role but according to him all the praise is wrong because he did not do the job alone.

First of all, Kwame Nkrumah who was then schooling abroad was invited to join the team of high-level protesters gearing up for independence.

Independence for Ghana was not Nkrumah's original idea as the UGCC party began working towards independence.

The other five members of the UGCC who were founding fathers of the party invited Kwame Nkrumah on board so it is evident that he was not part of the original plan and struggle.

2. Kwame Nkrumah did not find or struggle for Ghana alone

Fighting for Independence is not a 'one-man job' that Kwame Nkrumah alone could have single-handedly carry out.

Even though Kwame Nkrumah was that charismatic personality who stood on platforms many times to address the people, the other founding fathers were also instrumental and worked hard.

Before Kwame Nkrumah came on board, the other five members of the big six had sent letters, protested and agitated for independence.

Kwame Nkrumah was said to have broken away and got extra agitated for independence but equal contributions were also done by the other members.

3. Key roles were played by other members of the big six

The charisma and communication skill of Kwame Nkrumah made him visible to the people than other big six members.

However, the other five members and founding fathers of the UGCC played key roles in getting the agenda rolling.

The likes of William Ofori Atta, J.B Danquah among others provided financial, law and other assistance to the independence course.

The intellectual and administrative contributions of the team helped Kwame Nkrumah to coin the right message to the people.

4. Celebrating September 21 was ripping other founders off the glory of their hard work

For some years, September 21 was celebrated as a day to commemorate Ghana's first president Dr. Kwame Nkrumah.

Kwame Nkrumah was celebrated due to his pivotal contribution towards the independence of Ghana.

But history reveals that Kwame Nkrumah did not play the pivotal role alone as other members of the big six played similar key roles.

Big six was already acknowledged in Ghana so singling out Kwame Nkrumah alone for celebration is a rip-off to the other members.

The other five members also contributed immensely to the independence of Ghana and must be celebrated accordingly.