In a thought-provoking commentary, Professor Stephen Kweku Asare, a renowned activist and Democracy and Development Fellow at the Ghana Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), has acknowledged Dr Kwame Nkrumah as the founder of Ghana, crediting J.B. Danquah as the father of rule of law in Ghana.
Professor Asare began by emphasizing the importance of recognizing the distinct contributions made by different individuals in Ghana’s history.
“It is crucial to recognize that different people were responsible for different things in our history. We must also recognize that one can excel in one area while facing challenges in another”.
Professor Stephen Kweku Asare, renowned activist and D&D Fellow at the Ghana Centre for Democratic Development
Central to Professor Asare’s argument is the acknowledgment of Dr Kwame Nkrumah as the founder of Ghana. He clarified that this title should not be taken literally but rather as a recognition of Nkrumah’s leadership in steering the country towards independence.
“Just as we say Azikiwe founded Nigeria, Nyerere Tanzania, and Kenyatta Kenya, we must acknowledge Nkrumah’s pivotal role. The Founders’ debate is a myth and must end”, Professor Asare emphasized.
While acknowledging Dr Kwame Nkrumah’s leadership, Professor Asare was quick to highlight the collective effort involved in the struggle for independence.
He mentioned the contributions of key members of the Convention People’s Party (CPP) such as Kojo Botsio, Komla Agbeli Gbedemah, Dzenkle Dzewu, and Kofi Baako.
He also pointed out that other figures, dating back to the early twentieth century, played significant roles in this journey.
In this context, Professor Asare described the Big 5’s role as minor and cautioned against rewriting history to elevate their contributions.
Commenting on Nkrumah’s leadership and governance administration, the CDD-Ghana fellow praised Nkrumah for achievements like introducing free education, Africanizing the civil service, and massive infrastructure development.
However, he also criticized Nkrumah’s human rights record, particularly condemning the Preventive Detention Act (PDA).
J.B. Danquah: The Father of Rule of Law in Ghana
Turning to J.B. Danquah, Professor Asare acknowledged his less successful political career but praised his unwavering defense of civil liberties.
“Danquah was not a very successful politician, but he excelled as the lawyer who staunchly defended liberties during the Preventive Detention Act (PDA) days,” he remarked, dubbing JB Danquah as the Father of the Rule of Law in Ghana.
Professor Asare critiqued what he termed the historical narrative that overly centers on the Gold Coast Colony, urging recognition of broader contributions across the country.
He cited Yaa Asantewaa as a pivotal figure in resisting colonization, whose efforts he argued were more significant than those of the Big 5, primarily known for their arrest following the 1948 riots.
Touching on the 1948 arrest, Professor Asare explained that the riots were sparked by the tragic shooting of three ex-servicemen petitioning for better post-World War II benefits.
“The colonial government assumed that the UGCC was responsible for the unrest, leading to the arrest of six leaders, including Nkrumah and Danquah. This arrest marked a significant rift between Nkrumah and the other leaders, who blamed him for the riots and their subsequent detention”.
Professor Stephen Kweku Asare, renowned activist and D&D Fellow at the Ghana Centre for Democratic Development
Nkrumah’s Post-Arrest Contributions
Following his release, Professor Asare pointed out that Dr Kwame Nkrumah took significant initiatives, such as establishing Ghana National College for students expelled for participating in strikes.
“He also founded the Accra Evening News and the Committee on Youth Organization (CYO), which eventually split from the UGCC with the motto ‘Self-Government Now’, Professor Asare stated, adding that the split led to the decline of the UGCC, which worked at cross purposes with the CPP.
Additionally, Professor Asare argued that crediting the Big 5 with the founding of Ghana distorts historical facts, even if multiple founders are considered.
He concluded by stressing the importance of recognizing and honoring the varied contributions of all individuals in Ghana’s history.
“Each played a unique role, and their combined efforts have shaped the Ghana we know today. By acknowledging their diverse contributions, we gain a more comprehensive understanding of our past and can better appreciate the rich heritage that defines us”, Professor Asare ended.
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