The Deliberate Attempt To Dilute And Embellish Our Historical Narratives For Mere Political Gains Must Stop

In the annals of Ghana's history, the debate over who deserves the title of "founder" is a contentious one. While many individuals contributed to the struggle for independence, it is Kwame Nkrumah who stands out unequivocally as the founder of Ghana. This is not merely a matter of historical record but a reflection of the indelible impact Nkrumah had on the nation's journey to independence. Therefore, any deliberate attempt to embellish the fact that Nkrumah is the founder of modern Ghana will woefully fail on arrival.

Nkrumah's role in Ghana's independence cannot be overstated. As the leader of the Convention People's Party (CPP), he galvanized the masses, spearheaded the independence movement, and ultimately led Ghana to become the first sub-Saharan African country to gain independence from colonial rule on March 6, 1957. His leadership, vision, and determination were instrumental in achieving this milestone. It is highly unfortunate Nana and the NPP want to rewrite our history.

While it is true that many others contributed significantly to the independence movement, their roles, though vital, do not eclipse the singular impact of Nkrumah's leadership. Figures like J.B. Danquah, Emmanuel Obetsebi-Lamptey, Edward Akufo-Addo, and William Ofori Atta were influential in the early stages of the struggle, particularly as members of the United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC). However, it was Nkrumah who ultimately united the various factions, mobilized widespread support, and led the decisive push for independence. Even though this was against the will of the UGCC, which wanted independence in a gradual process, Nkrumah succeeded and this has always been a shock to his political antagonists.

They ( leaders of the UGCC) were smoking cigars, drinking whiskey, brandy, and coffee and were somehow in bed with the imperialists. Hence, they got infuriated when Nkrumah called for independence and demanded it immediately against the delayed proposition of the UGCC. They knew their euphoria was to be cut short. Gaining independence, for them, meant sacrificing the merriment the selected few were enjoying from the colonialists, and they did everything humanly possible to thwart and frustrate the efforts of Nkrumah and the CPP government. Are these, therefore, the people we must celebrate today as founders of our beloved nation?

When they even failed to stop him from gaining independence, after they had written letters to paint Nkrumah as the monster, they continued unabated to make his government and governance ungovernable by throwing bombs severally to assassinate him. But they were still unsuccessful until they hired the CIA and used a few ingrates within the CPP to ouster the only visionary leader and succeeded in truncating the industrialisation agenda that was set off. The Nation was indeed on the path of rapid development but for the infamous coup that shattered the dreams Nkrumah had for this country.

This dynamic can be likened to a football match. In a game, all eleven players contribute to the team's success. They defend, pass, and strategize together. Yet, when it comes to scoring the winning goal, it is the player who achieves this feat who is celebrated. In the context of Ghana's independence, Nkrumah is the player who scored that winning goal. And nobody can take that away from him. And no matter how hard efforts are being made to rewrite our history, the legacy of Nkrumah will remain in the minds, hearts, and lips of only honest Ghanaians, who know that our country was founded by Nkrumah, the only visionary leader of modern Ghana.

These attempts to dilute or embroider the narrative often stem from political motivations. However, the reality is that Nkrumah's pivotal role is etched deeply into the collective memory of many patriotic Ghanaians. His vision of a united, self-reliant Africa and his policies aimed at rapid industrialization and social reform left an enduring legacy. Efforts to reshape this narrative cannot erase the fact that without Nkrumah's leadership, Ghana's path to independence would have been markedly different.

In recognizing Nkrumah as the founder of Ghana, we acknowledge his unique and unparalleled contribution to the nation's history. While the contributions of other leaders should not be overlooked or forgotten, it is clear that Ghana has a founder, not founders. That founder is Kwame Nkrumah, whose leadership and vision paved the way for the birth of a new nation. It is pathetic that Nkrumah's achievements are being extolled globally, especially in Africa, while a selected few ungrateful antagonists are trying hard to paint a different picture of this reality.

Ghanaians cannot be lured by people who have the penchant to be politically motivated to eulogise their forefathers whose contribution toward achieving our independence fell below what Nkrumah and the CPP did for this country. Therefore, no matter how others seek to dilute and embellish our historical narratives, the real facts are highly indelible.

Long live Ghana
Long live the CPP
Nkrumah Never Dies!