Peace FM’s Kwami Sefa Kayi, host of Kokrokoo, has agreed with President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo that no one person can be held solely responsible for Ghana’s independence and founding.
During an interview with Nana Akomea of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) on his program, Kwami Sefa Kayi pointed out that President Akufo-Addo’s remarks, which minimize Kwame Nkrumah’s status as Ghana’s sole founder, are not entirely inappropriate.
Kwami Sefa Kayi, however, pointed out that it was preventable and questioned the timing and significance of President Akufo-Addo’s speech.
Kwami Sefa Kayi answered “correct” when Nana Akomea questioned him about whether President Akufo-Addo had made a statement of fact.
But he asserts that despite his laudatory remarks on Kwame Nkrumah in his statement, President Akufo-Addo could have avoided what he described as ‘communication damage’ by not introducing the element of Founders’ Day.
“Knowing the debate it generates, why did he have to bring up the sole founder’s argument after praising him? It is like the discharge of a lizard. It is all white with a bit of black at the end. No one is talking about the positive thing he said. From a communications perspective, do you realize the damage he has done? What would have happened had he not said it?” he said.
Meanwhile, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has defended his decision to institute Founders’ Day, maintaining it would be a historical distortion to position Kwame Nkrumah as the sole founder of Ghana.
Speaking on the matter at the senior citizens’ luncheon at the Jubilee House, President Akufo-Addo noted, “I know that there are some who question the ceremony—that is, August 4th as Founders’ Day—because they believe that we were all asleep in Ghana until the arrival of Kwame Nkrumah and the CPP.”
“I have already stated my views on that several times, including in my speech last Saturday evening. I don’t intend to go over that matter again,” he said.
In a video to mark August 4, 2024, as Founders Day, Nana Addo highlighted the pivotal roles played by all group members.
The Big Six, comprising Kwame Nkrumah, J.B. Danquah, Emmanuel Obetsebi-Lamptey, Ebenezer Ako-Adjei, Edward Akufo-Addo, and William Ofori Atta, were instrumental in the country’s journey to independence.
He noted that, while Nkrumah’s leadership and vision were critical, the efforts of his colleagues should not be overshadowed.