Significance Of Founders’ Day

NEWS COMMENTARY ON THE SIGNIFICANCE OF FOUNDERS’ DAY

Founders Day forms a significance occasion in this country. In the first place, it shows the contributions and role of past leaders in the country towards the establishment of Ghana as a state, Ghana will not have been what  it  is today if some people had not sacrificed their lives and fought for the establishment of this country. Some of the leaders who fought for the establishment of the state of Ghana are those who are often known as the big six. They are J.B. Danquah, Kwame Nkrumah, Ako Adjei, Obetsebi Lamptey, William Ofori-Attah and Edward Akufo-Addo. Most of the youth today do not know the unique role played by these leaders and therefore find it difficult to celebrate them. It is therefore important for the nation to focus on founders day as a way of creating awareness in the minds of both the youth and older people. The celebration of this day can rekindle the spirit of Patriotism in Ghanaians and influence them to go the extra mile in fighting to put the country on a higher pedestal of development. The Day is also significant because it will remind Ghanaians of the role played by past leaders, influencing them to remember the need for each and every person to fight hard in rebuilding the country. Again, it is important to note that these leaders come from various parts of the country, an indication that people of the country need to come together and fight for national development. National Development does not come by chance but through the contributions of every Ghanaian, young and old, whose efforts are needed for national reconstruction.

Apart from the big six, many other leaders also played their part in fighting for Ghana’s Independence. These leaders Nii Kwabena Bonnie, K. A. Gbedema, and many others including workers, market women, and Ghanaian ex-service men who fought during the Second World War. In addition to these, a number of political groups also helped in fighting for the independence of this country. These political groups emerged at various times in the history of the country to contribute to the fight against colonial rule. Some of these groups are United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC), Convention People’s Party (CPP) and Aborigines Rights Protection Society (ARPS). The rest are National Liberation Movement (NLM), Northern People’s Party and Muslim Association Party. They played various roles in raising the consciousness of Ghanaians to fight for independence and for that matter take their destiny into their own hands.

Even though a lot of people contributed to establish Ghana as an independence state, they all came and operated under the leadership of the Big Six. This shows that the big six deserve special honour and praise as people who provided collective leadership and moved the country in a common political direction for the culmination and attainment of independence for the country on 6th March, 1957. The big six have therefore contributed immensely towards the founding of Ghana as a state. All over the world, founders of states and nations are revered by their nationals and given the recognition that they deserve as past leaders. Within the same context, the big six in Ghana constitute the real founders of the country, thereby paving the way for contemporary nationals and everybody in this country to join the collective effort in rebuilding this great country. We need to continuously respect and honour them at all times since they played a wonderful role in making Ghana what it is today.  Today, 4th August, also marks 46 years since Ghana switched to driving on the right side of the road. This change has brought significant development to the country and confirms to what pertains in other West African countries. It is necessary that we remember this day as it enhanced our automobile industry.

BY: DR KOFI AMPONSAH-BEDIAKO, DIRECTOR OF CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS, GHANA STANDARDS AUTHORITY.