August 4 as Founders’ Day problematic – Historian

Historian at the Institute of African Studies at the University of Ghana, Kwaku Darko Ankrah, has described the introduction of August 4 as Founders day as problematic.

According to the historian, 25th May and 1st July are also two significant and important days in the history of Ghana which should be respected, reflected upon, and celebrated as holidays.

Parliament of Ghana has passed the Public Holidays Amendment Bill 2018 into law. The current law scraps AU Day and Republic Day as public holidays and introduces January 7 as Constitution Day, August 4 as Founders day and September 21 as Nkrumah Memorial Day.

The minority in parliament who were unhappy with the development stormed out of parliament in protest.

The opposition argued that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is seeking to re-write the history of Ghana and glorify his late family members such as J.B. Danquah and Ofori-Atta with the introduction of the new law.

“The Public Holidays Amendment Bill is duly read for the third time and is passed”, The Speaker of Parliament, Professor Mike Aaron Oquaye said.

But, speaking to Kwaku Atiemo on Atinka FM’s Political programme “Wogyegyregye”, Historian at the Institute of African Studies at the University of Ghana, Kwaku Darko Ankrah, explained that the 4th August as founders’ day is problematic in that it rather commemorates the establishment of the first Political party in Ghana, United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC) and not the founders of Ghana as it is being presented. 

“Celebrating 4th August as Founders’ Day is historically wrong, because Ghana’s foundation and development did not start on 4th August. Nationalism struggle started as far back as 1868 with the establishment of the Fante confederation among others. The date for Founders’ Day gives room for a lot of controversy”, he stated.

Ghana | Atinkaonline.com | Vivian Adu Boatemaa

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