JUDGE FOR YOURSELF; WHO FOUNDED GHANA? NKRUMAH VERSUS THE UGCC (PART 3)

Hi, hope you've been enjoying the education so far?

In the last write up, I briefed you how the shooting of the three ex-servicemen who led a processional march to the Christianborg Castle, had sparked violence in Accra and other provincial cities within the Gold Coast. In lieu of this, Danquah and Nkrumah because of how they differed in ideologies, both issued telegrams to different institutions such as the UN, the Pan Africa Magazine, the New York Times, among others.

Following the number of telegram messages he sent around to tell the mess the British are causing in the country, Nkrumah was afraid of being arrested hence, went into hiding with two women supporters in Accra. It was then that, he outlined his plans for the future. Days later, Nkrumah and the UGCC leaders were arrested.

At Nkrumah's house, the police found amongst his meager belongings, an unsigned Communist Party card. When questioned, Nkrumah honestly said he was not a member of the Communist Party but the police and the government did not accept his protest considering the extent and severity the riots had caused the government. So, using the card as a proof, they asserted that a communist conspiracy has been the cause.

When arrested, the leaders were moved from Accra until the arrival of a Commission of Inquiry from London - the Watson Commission. Ultimately, Nkrumah and the other UGCC leaders were flown to Kumasi. In all, they were six (6) - J. B. Danquah, Ofori Atta, Akufo Addo, Ako Adjei, Obestsebi Lamptey and Kwame Nkrumah. The news of their arrest got all over the country and the Gold coasters began calling them "The Big Six(6)". In Kumasi, they were all housed in one compound where they could meet and discuss matters. It was then that, Nkrumah realised how deeply his views differed from those of the other five. They blamed Nkrumah for causing the riots and for their own detention, and even criticised Ako Adjei for recommending him in the first place.

After three days, the group were awoken in the middle of the night and taken by bus to Tamale because they discovered that, Krobo Edusei had aroused the youth of Ashanti to rescue them. From Tamale, they were all dispersed to separate places. Nkrumah was held at Lawra. However, after six(6) weeks, the group were reassembled at Tamale, then flown to Accra.

Finally, the Watson Commission arrived in June and after investigating the causes of the riots, and the events of February 1948, it proposed a substantial constitution. The Constitution committee was to be headed by Justice Coussey and had forty nominated members. There was immediate criticism that, many important elements in society had been ommited - the farmers, the market women, the miners and the trade Unions. Significantly, most of the UGCC leaders were members of the Coussey committee but not Nkrumah.

I would pause here and bring you what happened afterwards, in the next write up. Keep calm and watch out for the next write up. Thank you.