Prof. Ransford Gyampo, a senior political science lecturer at the University of Ghana has dismissed the concept of Founders’ Day, arguing that Ghana’s history cannot be changed through force or imposition.
Prof. Gyampo contends that recognition of the country’s founders should be achieved through consensus and dialogue rather than the preferences of any single regime. He stressed that “history cannot be altered by force and through imposition.”
The outspoken lecturer’s outburst comes less than 24hours after President Akufo-Addo in his address to the nation insisted Ghana was foundered on August 4 and that no single individual can be held as the founder of the nation. Mr. Akufo-Addo went further to dismissed the claims the singular effort of the late former President Dr. Kwame Nkrumah led to Ghana’s independence hence being honored as the founder.
He challenged the inclusion of JB Danquah and others who opposed Ghana’s independence efforts as key figures in the country’s founding. Prof. Gyampo referenced a letter written by JB Danquah to support his position.
“We can negotiate and by consensus, insert the UGCC people somewhere as far as the founding of Ghana is concerned. Not until this is done, there’s only one founder of Ghana,” Prof. Gyampo stated.
He emphasized that any idea of Founders’ Day can only gain legitimacy through widespread agreement. Without such consensus, he warned that attempts to alter historical narratives are merely temporary, and Ghana’s political history will ultimately revert to its original form.
Prof. Gyampo concluded, “We must return to our history and understand that without consensus, the political history of Ghana will inevitably revert to its ‘factory settings.’”
