The President in a Facebook post to mark Founders’ day called on Ghanaians to rise above partisan considerations and set the records straight.
“We acknowledge the role played by successive generations of Ghanaians towards the liberation of our country from colonialism and imperialism. It is time we rose above partisan considerations, set the records straight, recognize the collective efforts in gaining our freedom and independence from colonial rule, and do right by our history.”
“I wish all Ghanaians a happy Founders’ Day, and once again, I salute and pay tribute to all Senior Citizens in every part of the country today.”
Parliament had approved Public Holiday Act which made changes to the country’s holiday calendar.
The changes included the introduction of January 7 to be celebrated as Constitution Day and August 4 as Founders’ Day.
The government had earlier stated that 21st September which was previously celebrated as Founder’s day in honour of Ghana’s first president, Kwame Nkrumah,who is credited as leading the country to independence was renamed Nkrumah Memorial Day by the NPP government.
The government contended that celebrating the day as Founder’s day with Ghana’s independence achievement credited solely to Nkrumah was wrong as others including the Dr. J.B. Danquah also played key roles in the country’s independence struggle.
The government said a statement that, [August 4, is] “obviously the most appropriate day to signify our recognition and appreciation of the collective efforts of our forebears towards the founding of a free, independent Ghana.”
August 4 is noted as 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.
Some persons and groups including the Convention People’s Party which was formed by Kwame Nkrumah criticized the government for the declaration, describing it as an attempt to rewrite the country’s history.
Gov’t declares August 5 a public holiday
Meanwhile, Monday, August 5, 2019, has been declared a public holiday to cater for the August 4 Founders’ Day which falls on a weekend.
A statement signed by the Interior Minister, Ambrose Dery, said in view of the day falling on a Sunday, the President has by Executive Instrument (EI), declared Monday, August 5, as a public holiday “to be observed as such throughout the country.”
This will be the first time Ghana is marking the Founders’ Day after the amendment of the Public Holiday Act.