Founder Or Founders?

Today in the media, there is a lot of brouhaha about whether Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah should be accorded the title of the “founder of modern Ghana.” And also about the fact that why have some section of Ghanaians being playing Dr. J. B Danquah, Prof. Busia, and Obetsebi Lamptey among others out of the circle of founders of Ghana.

Before I try to make do with these genuine but unwarranted questions let us not mince words in acknowledging the contribution persons like Paa Grant, Dr. J. B Danquah among others who form part of the UGCC caucus made to Nkrumah's life. We cannot steal their effort in bringing Nkrumah down to the then Gold Coast to become the secretary of the elite-dominated group agitating for 'self government within the shortest possible of time.'

Beyond the sacrifices of Dr. J. B Danquah among others of the UGCC, it is unquestionable that the formation of the Convention Peoples Party (CPP) in 1948 worked the magic leading to our folks shaking off the shackles of colonialism with its concomitant plundering of the dignity and the resources of the country.

However, we must not be hypocritical about anything. Mahatma Gandhi was not the only person who agitated for Indians freedom. In fact there were peasant farmers who supported him and even played leading roles at certain points in time yet Mahatma Gandhi is praised as the founder of modern Indian.

Mention could also be made of George Washington of America who is accorded the founder of the Union. Why can't we question the legality or as it were the senses in that?

Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah may have been aided at the formative stages of the UGCC by Dr. J. B. Danquah, Paa Grant among others yet he must with love and not resentment be accorded the founder of modern Ghana for his touch with time, “self government now!” and he leading the mass crusade which saw the chain of oppression and of the dispossessed shook off.

I doff my hat to Osagyefo for his illuminating words and for seeing beyond the 'parapet' cities of Africa springing up and leading the world in science and technology. If he were alive what would have been his words to Prof. Mills; “if the economy is worrisome fix it.” Powerful, isn't it?

This is why we must be FIERCE in our approach of preaching the gospel according to Osagyefo; it must be URGENT; it must be NOW. IT MUST BE THE FIERCE URGENCY OF NOW!

By: Auxtyn Atta-Brako (Powers)

Development / Ghana / Africa / Modernghana.com

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