The Member of Parliament (MP) for Ellembelle, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has said that Ghana’s first president, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, was not just a participant in Ghana’s independence struggle but an architect and the driving force behind the movement to attain independence.
In a statement signed by Armah-Buah and copied to the Ghana News Agency, as reported by myjoyonline.com, he stated that the right to independence was not a spontaneous event but the result of years of agitation, activism, and political organisation.
It pointed out that while various individuals contributed to the struggle, it was the exceptional leadership and vision of Ghana’s first president, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, that paved the way for Ghana’s freedom.
“Kwame Nkrumah was not just a participant in Ghana’s independence struggle; he was the architect and driving force behind the movement,” it stated.
The statement also recounted Dr. Kwame Nkrumah’s return from the United States in 1947 and how he was influenced by Pan-Africanism and socialism, marking the beginning of a radical approach to the fight for independence.
It said Kwame Nkrumah’s ability to mobilise the masses through strikes, protests, and demonstrations challenged colonial authorities and encouraged Ghanaians to stand up for their rights.
On Saturday, August 3, 2024, the president, during an address to the nation on Founders' Day, said he rejects the notion that one man founded Ghana.
“I speak to you this evening, rejecting completely, the notion that Ghana was founded by one man. While Kwame Nkrumah’s contributions to our independence are undeniable, it is important to acknowledge for ourselves that respect that the struggle for our nation’s freedom was a collective effort spanning several generations,” the president said.
His comments continue to spark debate, with many criticising him for attempting to distort Ghana’s history.
JKB/AE
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