President Akufo-Addo’s recent statement rejecting the notion that Ghana was founded solely by Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and emphasizing the roles of other individuals, including J.B. Danquah, has sparked a significant controversy.
His assertion has generated mixed reactions, with several leading academics and public figures criticizing the President’s stance.
Most critics argue unequivocally that Ghana’s founding is predominantly attributed to Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, rejecting President Akufo-Addo’s narrative as an attempt at historical revisionism.
Dr. Kwame Asiedu Sarpong, a Fellow at the Ghana Centre for Democratic Development, in a scathing critique, challenged President Akufo-Addo’s claims.
Drawing parallels with historical and biblical analogies, Dr. Sarpong likened the President’s attempt to rewrite Ghana’s history to the inclusion of apocryphal texts in religious scripture and the notorious Donation of Constantine forgery in Roman history.
He argued that just as these alternative histories have failed to gain acceptance, President Akufo-Addo’s narrative will also be rejected.
“Every society, be it spiritual or secular, has alternative versions of its history, For example, the Apocrypha and Sixth and Seventh Books of Moses are supposedly expunged texts of the Bible that alternative Christian history writers have over the years tried but failed to justify their inclusion in Christian Scriptures.
“Similarly, this President, a classic example of alternative history writers, has tried since 2017 to rewrite Ghana’s history to fit the narrative of his lineage. This will fail as it is simply apocryphal.”
Dr Kwame Asiedu Sarppong, Fellow at the Ghana Centre for Democratic Development
Dr. Sarpong continued, highlighting the inconsistency and implausibility of President Akufo-Addo’s assertions.
“He has five months to continue living this delusion. Let us hope that future Presidents, mindful of their place in history, will revert to the right biblical text of our history and delete all the economically unproductive holidays that have been instituted by this President.”
Dr Kwame Asiedu Sarppong, Fellow at the Ghana Centre for Democratic Development
Imposter Syndrome
In a pointed critique, Dr. Sarpong accused the President of suffering from “Imposter syndrome,” arguing that individuals whom President Akufo-Addo is fighting for their inclusion in Ghana’s founding history actions and inactions contributed to the overthrow of Nkrumah,
“Since 1966, you have done all you can to erase his memory with little success. How you can’t see this latest attempt will also fail defies me,” he stated, cautioning those perpetuating this revisionist history to abandon their efforts, noting the significant public scorn they have attracted.
Dr. Sarpong also criticized the President’s handling of historical narratives and national projects, particularly the construction of the National Cathedral.
“Your father was a former Chief Justice. Yet, you pulled down buildings for judges to dig the world’s most expensive pit in the name of constructing a National Cathedral. Now, you have the effrontery to claim your bloodline were founders of Ghana even though the U.K. Hansard of December 1956 clearly states that your ancestors wanted the former Gold Coast dismembered.”
Dr Kwame Asiedu Sarppong, Fellow at the Ghana Centre for Democratic Development
He questioned the logic behind President Akufo-Addo’s claims, drawing a parallel with the biblical story of King Solomon and the two women claiming to be the mother of a baby.
“How can the woman who wanted Solomon to dismember the baby, turn around when the child grows to claim to be its protector?” he asked, likening President Akufo-Addo’s ancestors to the woman who wanted the child dismembered and now claiming to be its protector.
Dr. Sarpong concluded with a stark admonition: “Apocrypha writers please continue, you have up to January 6th, 2025, to achieve your pre-independence aim. I wish you luck, but if the scorn you are attracting is anything to go by, you are better off backing off. That said, hubris comes before the fall.”
