JUDGE FOR YOURSELF; WHO FOUNDED GHANA? EVIDENCE FROM HISTORY.
Having been enlightened on what it means to found and be called a founder from the previous article, I shall proceed to give you some historical antecedents that ensued to facilitate the attainment of Ghana's Independence.
I will hasten to add that, these historical accounts are not new to us but often times, it has come to us distorted by politicians who want to score political points in the eyes of the electorates.
I would at this juncture want to reiterate my non interest in the politics of what I write unless you want to read with your political party lens on. Let's proceed.
HISTORY
One major event that ensued to facilitate the freedom fight from European domination was the setting up of the United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC) with the aim of gaining self government by all constitutional means, 'within the shortest possible time' (step by step). The UGCC hitherto becoming a political party was sort of a pressure group that comprised of some intelligentsia in society to champion the interest of cocoa farmers, market women, protect the interest of the citizens against the inflated prices of goods and services, champion the grievances of the ex-military service Union regarding their gratuities and to fight against the Association of West African Merchants (AWAM) policies. Popular among them was J. B. Danquah, Ako Adjei, Paa Grant, Ofori Atta, Obestsebi Lamptey, R. S. Blay, among others.
Upon the advise of Ako Adjei, the UGCC leaders invited Kwame Nkrumah from Britain to become the party's full time General Secretary in December, 1947. Though Nkrumah was promised a salary of £100 per month by the leaders, they had no funds and no account hence could not pay but to their amazement, Nkrumah offered to work for nothing but they eventually offered him £25 per month.
Nkrumah was inspired to come join the the UGCC champion Ghana's Independence agenda because he was inspired by the teachings of Mahatma Gandi, and by the newly won Independence Asian Dominions such as India. Kwame Nkrumah was very charismatic as a leader, was a very good public speaker and could pull the crowd to rallies because he identified with the needs of the people.
I know you are enjoying it already. I will at this juncture pause and continue in the next write up on 'Nkrumah versus the UGCC et al.' But, don't forget you are still the Judge.
Thanks for reading. Catch you later.