The governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) has charged Ghanaians to develop a keen interest in national issues and participate fully towards national development.

The party said they are calling on “Ghanaians to renew their covenant with the nation and reaffirm their commitment and dedication to our national cause for the love of God and country”.

This was contained in a press statement issued by the party’s General Secretary John Boadu in commemoration of the maiden Founders’ Day celebration on 4 August instituted by the Akufo-Addo administration.

The party said the day is “worth celebrating, to, among other things, remind ourselves of the very toils and sacrifices of our forebears in the struggle, and more importantly, to have introspection on how their virtues can inspire us to be patriotic citizens ready to give our all for our country”.

The day was chosen to celebrate the contributions of all individuals who played various roles towards the achievement of independence by the country.

The Founders’ Day Holiday

August 4 was chosen as the date for Founders’ Day by the Akufo-Addo-led administration as it marks two important events in Ghana’s history. It is the date for the formation of the Aborigines’ Rights Protection Society by John Mensah Sarbah in 1897, and the formation of the United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC) in 1947 by J.B. Danquah and George Alfred “Paa” Grant, Ghana’s first mass political party formed in the Gold Coast to spearhead social agitations for independence.

Below is the full statement:

STATEMENT BY THE NPP ON THE OCCASION OF FOUNDERS’ DAY COMMEMORATION

The NPP, on the occasion of founders’ day commemoration, is pleased to join the rest of the world to wish all Ghanaians a joyous celebration. August 4, is indeed the most historic day in our struggle for nationhood. It was on this day that the United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC), the first political movement in the country that awoken the conscience of Ghanaians to strive for independence, was founded.

It was this political movement, founded by the legendary nationalists, JB Danquah and Paa Grant that set the stage for our struggle for independence from the relics of colonial rule. Beyond that, August 4 in the year 1897 is also the day on which the famous Aborigines’ Right Protection Society, an important milestone in our match for nationhood and self-determination, was birthed.

Such a day is therefore worth celebrating, to, among other things, remind ourselves of the very toils and sacrifices of our forebears in the struggle, and more importantly, to have introspection on how their virtues can inspire us to be patriotic citizens ready to give our all for our country.

It is in recognition of the inestimable importance of this historic day that the government of President Akufo-Addo through a legislative instrument, declared same as not only a Commemorative Day but also as a Public Holiday dedicated to remembering all the gallant heroes and heroines of the independence struggle who, for all intent and purposes, are deserving to be called the Founders of this country.

As the day, which has also been dedicated to celebrating our Senior Citizens is marked, the NPP calls on Ghanaians to renew their covenant with the nation and reaffirm their commitment and dedication to our national cause for the love of God and country.

Once again the party wishes all Ghanaians a happy founders day celebration.

...Signed...

John Boadu General Secretary