Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and five of his comrades in the struggle for Ghana’s independence, Komla Gbedemah, Kojo Botsio, Archie Casely-Hayford, Krobo Edusei, and N.A. Wellbeck, who struggle for all appeared in splendid smocks at the Old Polo grounds on 6th March,1957, to declare Ghana’s independence from British colonial rule.
The picture of Dr. Nkrumah and his five comrades standing on a podium in splendid Northern Ghanaian smocks, while Dr. Kwame Nkrumah made his historic independence speech, remains one of the most famous pictures in Africa’s political history and in our national and continental archives.
Around the world, many people must have said to themselves, “what colorful and gorgeous garments these African men are wearing.”
He and his comrades was well aware of the cultures that allowed the wearing of smock which they noted were ones blessed with honest, intelligent, hardworking and determined people, who had limited opportunities as compared to their counterparts in the Southern part of the country. Thank God President John Dramani Mahama has emerged to fulfill the true dream of Ghana’s founder, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah.
Fifty nine(59) years ago, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and his comrades sent out a very clear message. It's takes someone with critical thinking to understand the message. It is worth noting that, for the historic declaration of Ghana’s Independence, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and his five colleagues proudly wore smocks on the podium at the Old Polo Grounds. He was aware it was only a Northern President that will lead a true united Ghana to the promised land.
The opposition npp thought President Mahama is not fit to rule this country simple because,he is a northerner. Just like Obama assuming the presidency, it was a long prophesy by Marcus Garvey that one day a black person will be president in America,like wise Dr. Kwame Nkrumah's prophesy of seeing a northern president leading Ghana some day.
The NDC's founder his excellency former president Jerry John Rawlings took to wear the smock in his days as the president of Ghana. Like the bible story of John Baptist,who cleared the way for Jesus Christ. In his days, he led a united Ghana and it is now time for president John Mahama to carry on the baton handled to him in fulfillment of the prophecy of Ghana's founder.
Countrymen and women, the future ahead is full of promise under President John Mahama as prophesized by Dr. Kwame Nkrumah. The prophesy is here. A future where the labour of many is not exploited to the benefit of just a few.
The smock is a symbol of hope for Ghana and president John Mahama is one who wears a smock, he is a warrior and will close the ranks for Ghanaians to chase out our bad economic situations.
Very soon, we will mark our independence as gained for us by our first President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah. Let's all of us have confidence in President John Mahama,join hands with him to make Ghana a better place.
I wish every Ghanaian, great happiness in the fifty nine(59) years of our great nation and many years that lie ahead and trust that together we shall go forward to our successful destiny.
Long live Ghana
Ibrahim Hardi
Email bigkolaaya@yahoo.com