Nkrumah was the critical catalyst for our independence, the Big Six opposed his vision - Mahama

Former president and Flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has expressed worry about attempts by some political actors to erase the legacy of Ghana's first president, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah.

Speaking at an event to commemorate the 115th birthday of Dr Nkrumah, he stressed the need to dispel the divisive and needless debate intended to erase his legacy.

"Today we are remembered with deep sadness that the work Nkrumah started is not completed. There is deep sadness. The future Nkrumah envisioned, a prosperous united Africa, free from exploitation calls progressives on this continent to action. The liberation struggle is not over yet. The question is what happened? Who truncated the vision of Dr Kwame Nkrumah and set us back this way?

"Before we continue with the legacy of Osagyefo, we must first dispel the divisive and needless debate that has intensified to obliterate his legacy. There are those who seek to dilute Nkrumah's rule in our history as the nation's founder by introducing the idea of Big Six", he noted.

According to him while the Big Six played a significant role in Ghana's struggle for independence, Nkrumah was the catalyst that led to our liberation from colonial rule.

"Let me be clear and unequivocal here. While many in the Big Six played significant roles in the independence struggle. Nkrumah was a critical catalyst that brought the struggle to a head and eventually resulted in the historic liberation of Ghana from colonial domination.

"The so-called Big Six were an accident of history and not a united force and the historical records show this. In fact some of them opposed Nkrumah's vision for a rapid move towards independence,” he explained.

He added, "Indeed, at the time the struggle for independence had crystalised, the UGCC was opposed to the independence by actually sending a delegation to petition Queen Elizabeth not to grant independence in Ghana."

Ghana’s first post-independence leader, Osagyefo Kwame Nkrumah, is globally recognised for his pan-African vision and ideologies, leaving a lasting impact on the continent and beyond.

JKB/EB

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