When Nkrumah was declaring our independence, JB Danquah was in the crowd observing – Frimpong Anokye

Lawyer and historian Yaw Anokye Frimpong has rejected an assertion by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo that Ghana’s first president, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, is not the founder of the country.

According to him, it is documented in history by even the opponents of Nkrumah that he (the first president) was the founder of the country because not only did he push for the country’s independence but also had a hand in it being named Ghana.

The historian, who made these remarks while reading from a historical book, pointed out that Dr. Kwame Nkrumah had a hand in almost all the national symbols of the country, including its national anthem, national flag, and national crest.

He asserted that the late Dr. J.B. Danquah, uncle of President Akufo-Addo, whom proponents of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) are trying to credit for the founding of Ghana, played no significant role in the country’s fight for independence.

“This book, if I had continued, would have told you that JB Danquah was standing in the crowd observing Kwame Nkrumah and others (during the declaration of Ghana's independence). Again, Nkrumah gave us our national flag. You will read that he and Madam Theodosia Okoh came together and then they made the flag of Ghana. Please, it was not anybody but Nkrumah who looked at the flag. And the woman even said, 'Let me put in so many stars like the American flag' but Nkrumah said, 'I need only one, the Black Star'.

“And then for the national anthem, Philip Gbeho was commissioned by Nkrumah to do it. And then for the national crest, Amon Nii Quaye was commissioned by Nkrumah to do it. And then on March 6, Kwame Nkrumah mentioned Ghana. JB Danquah was not there to give any support. Busia did not appear, even though he was the opposition leader, because he had written to the British not to give us independence. He was so scared to be on the podium that day, even though it should have been a national affair,” he said in an interview on JoyNews on Monday, August 5, 2024.

He added, “And so, if from class one, FK Buah and all others, including even Kwame Nkrumah's archenemy Adu Boahen, would tell us in history that Kwame Nkrumah was the founder of Ghana and our president, whom I admire so much, is telling us that he was not the founder, I believe it will be very much an abuse of language.”

What Akufo-Addo said:

President Akufo-Addo disclosed his resolve not to accept the notion held by some Ghanaians that Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah is the sole founder of the country.

In his speech ahead of the commemoration of Founders’ Day on August 4, 2024, President Akufo-Addo said that while Kwame Nkrumah played an integral role in the country’s drive towards independence, it is erroneous and untenable to accord him the privilege of being the founder of Ghana.

“I speak to you this evening, rejecting completely the notion that Ghana was founded by one man. While Kwame Nkrumah’s contributions to our independence are undeniable, it is important to acknowledge that the struggle for our nation’s freedom was a collective effort spanning several generations,” the president said in his broadcast.

President Akufo-Addo enumerated some people whom he believes were integral in the fight towards independence and deserve to be celebrated alongside Kwame Nkrumah.

“The formation of the Aborigines Rights Protection Society, the British West African National Congress, the United Gold Coast Convention, the work of countless unsung heroes, and the tenacious spirit of our people all played vital parts in bringing us to freedom and independence.

“Kwame Nkrumah, with his charismatic and visionary leadership, was undoubtedly a major actor in the final lap of our journey to independence. That is why, despite the several unfortunate things that happened after independence under his watch, Parliament in 2019 decided to memorialise his date of birth as Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Day, the only Ghanaian so far to be so honoured in our history.”

Parliament passed a law in 2019 establishing August 4 as Founders’ Day and September 21 as Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Day.

While August 4 aims to celebrate the collective works that culminated in Ghana’s independence, September 21 is reserved for Kwame Nkrumah.

BAI/OGB

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