Why Ghana's independence wouldn't have been possible without Gas – Anokye Frimpong

Not much is said about the involvement of the people of Ga-Adangbe in Ghana's independence struggle.

The history of Ghana’s independence largely centres on the roles played by Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, the JB Danquahs, with Ako Adjei (the only Ga-Adangbe) of the famous ‘Big Six’.

But there is more to the role played by Ga-Adangbes in Ghana’s independence struggle, and they continue to play a vital role in the political administration of the country.

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In an interview with Max TV, a historian and private legal practitioner, Yaw Anokye Frimpong, narrated the vital roles played by the people of Ga-Adangbe in Ghana’s struggle for independence.

According to him, Ga-Adangbes managed to be very influential in the struggle because they did not all follow one political tradition like other tribes during the independence struggle.

“One thing I like about Gas’ politics, unlike the other ethnic groups is that if you go to Akyem Abuakwa, they are one-sided, they belong to the NLM. If you go to Asante, they are one-sided, they belong to the NLM and UP tradition… But when you come to the Gas, they are evenly balanced.

“Most of the prominent members of the NLM were Gas. They were the backbone of the NLM. They were the ones who could face off with Kwame Nkrumah,” he said in the Twi dialect.

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The historian went on to name the role of some prominent Ga people like the Ga Mantse, Nii Kwabena Bonnie, who masterminded the 1948 boycott of European goods until they reduced prices, and Sergeant Francis Adjetey, who spearheaded the demonstration which sparked the fight for Ghana’s independence.

“Sergeant Francis Adjetey was the one who led the demonstration to demand that all the Ghanaians who fought in World War II are given their benefits. He was a Ga man.

“This was before Kwame Nkrumah’s involvement in the independence struggle, where he declared the ‘Positive Action’ in 1950, which led to an election for us to get our independence. So, if it were not for the Gas, we would not have attained our independence,” he said.

Watch a video of his remarks below:

The Ga history is not told enough cos how am I now knowing this as old as I am. Wow! pic.twitter.com/E6Vkrkv6oh

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