June 4 Uprising And It's Significance

I wrote an article titled “June 4 The Awakening of Ghana” which Ghanaweb published both in June 2006 and 2007. It was widely discussed and many comments made to it on the forum which usually as we all know was between those in support of or against it. There were also many others who wrote personal emails to me. I appreciate very much and wants to thank all those who made time to write to me here again even though I did so in replies to them at the time. There was one particular writer I did cherish very much. She was then a student working on her thesis and decided to probe into the June 4 uprising for her degree.

She wrote asking if I could explain to her: 'How can June 4th Uprising Be Considered Significant In Meeting The Aims Of The Revolt'?

It took me no time to understand her question because those who did not see how it was before the day when those soldiers resorted to arms to correct the wrongs in our society will always buy politics into the June 4 uprising and try as much as they can to discredit it. However, the truth shall always remain that June 4 played a significant role in uplifting our great nation.

Significantly in the sense that, apart from Ghana's Independence Day of 6th March 1957, June 4 1979, was the second most important Historical event that we Ghanaians can pride on. Nkrumah's “Independence Now” slogan enlightened the Gold Coasters to understand the importance of Freedom and Self Rule.

So also was the June 4 uprising which awakened Ghanaians to understand how to hold leaders accountable for their misdeeds. It was very significant in many ways for June 4 to come into being. Below are some few reasons of the significances.

1. Between 1948 and 1957, Ghanaians, then Gold Coasters, agitated or propagated for Freedom, in its sense Self Rule. After attaining independence all was left to our leaders to showcase the freedom accompanying the Self Rule. However, as Ghanaians are and always will be the hard nuts to crack, misunderstandings brought strong opposition among the leaders during the the period of transition. We knew very well how the misfortunes of those hardline opposition led to the termination of that very first Government on February 24 1966. After that event, Ghana was not able to have a stable, viable and a nationally workable form of Government until mow. The NLC (National Liberation Council) ruled for about three years, handed power over to an elected Government. That civilian administration ruled for just about 27 months only for the Soldiers to strike again on January 13 1972. The new Administrators code named NRC (National Redemption Council) was nothing

more than some disillusioned soldiers wanting power and fame. However, to be true, the first three years of NRC rule was one of the best periods Ghana had as a nation in food sufficiency and national pride through OFY (Operation Feed Yourself). The acceptance that came with their good settings made their big heads more swollen. Things took other turns in the course of time in the two years preceeding.. Ordinary citizens became the vast exploits of the system called Kalabule. Ghanaians were reduced to the status of mere people (slaves) in their own land and being ripped off with nothing to say. Power rose to the market women who even had the dictates to slap a soldier openly in a crowded market. There were no laws guiding the nation except that one had access to some influential persons up there. Traders became the power block in the country that if one can maneuver to some point, he/she would have everything without a sweat.

Kalabule the common name associated with CORRUPTION was all that we could talk about. No one really knew or thought of what to do to bring the worrisome system down.

The NRC Administration had the most planned coups against it in our Political History but as strong as the leader was, all attempts to unseat it was fruitless. The best that happened was an internal changes made in the council which was and referred to as a Palace Coup.

2. There was some relieves when those changes were made and announced. Promises were made to hand over to an elected civilian Government in due course. We all knew that, the problems then in place will continue if nothing was done to stop it. The thoughts were that the Government to come will be strong enough to put an end to all the rotten system but no one was actually counting on it.

3. The Question:
“How Can June 4 Uprising Be Considered Significant In Meeting The Aims Of The Revolt?”

Answer:
A. June 4 achieved a lot for Ghana of which we should be proud of. Significantly, it awakened us from the slumber we were in to understand that our elected leaders are servants to the people who elected them to public offices but not for them (leaders) to be lords over the citizens as it was before the day.

B. That we can always question those leaders without fear or favor.

C. That State Properties are for all and not just some few greedy individuals

D. We all should be vigilant to protect the interest of the State rather than succumb to the demand of our leaders.

E. The most significance of June 4 Uprising was the House Cleaning Campaign. It brought to light how few individuals siphoned thousands if not millions of cedis to their private accounts both at home and overseas. We knew also how businesses refused to pay due taxes to Government without regard to the law. It also made us aware how to sacrifice in the present for the future. That everybody is responsible for any mess that goes around him/her without questioning.

Furthermore, corruption in the Armed Forces and other high places was purged to the very least for the military to regain respect. Ghana before June 4 was a garbage truck being stared and laughed at in all the four corners of the world but today Ghanaians can walk chest high wherever they go. June 4 1979 made it possible.

Finally, June 4 was a necessary bitter pill prescribed by those gallant boys that as many the filth which was brought on Ghana could be cleansed and for it to remain a watch dog to guide us as a nation.

Long Live The Revolution

Habel Awuku Dadoto
Japan
hawuda@yahoo.com

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