Recognized as a great man and a Pan-Africanist, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah led Ghana to independence on March 6,1957. Under the late John Evans Atta Mills' governance, his date of birth was marked as a statutory holiday regarded as "The Founder's Day". Today marks his 108th birthday.
Embedded in the celebration of the day is celebrating/hailing Dr. Nkrumah as a Pan-Africanist who propelled the "Self-Government Now" campaign which conscientized the Gold Coasters on the need to strive for self-governance.
In this recent times, there's been lots of controversies surrounding the celebration of the Founder's Day. There's been suggestions that, the 21st day of September if observed as a holiday, should be "The Patriots' Day" or "Founders' Day" not the Founder's Day as Dr. Nkrumah was a member of "the Big Six" who equally deserves the honour. Others argue it should be maintained since Dr. Nkrumah led the group.
However, the current government, the Akufo-Addo-led-administration has issued an executive instrument to rename September 21 "Nkrumah Memorial Day", and he has proposed a legislation to designate August 4 as Founders' Day. Well, that is yet to be debated on in Parliament.
Others also regard the celebration of the day to stifle development. Speaking to some students at the Ghana Institute of Journalism yesterday, the day can be singled out as a commemoration for Dr. Nkrumah without being declared a statutory holiday. According to them, no special activities come off on this day to usher the country into further development. Various schools, public and private sectors take the day off which stifles progress of the nation.
Should September 21 be regarded as a holiday? Or do we rebrand it to Founders' Day or the Patriots Day as been proposed?
Well, bring in your thoughts and comments.
Your Social Commentator,
Esther Nkrumah Amoah.
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