A Historian at the University of Ghana's Institute of African Studies, Kwaku Darko Ankrah, has described as “problematic”, how personalities and dates are selected for commemoration in Ghana.

His comments come on the back of the disagreement between some political parties on the date for honouring the forebears of Ghana independence struggle, and whether the day, August 4, should be commemorated as Founder’s – in honour of Dr Kwame Nkrumah – or Founders’ Day – in honour of Dr Nkrumah and others.

Speaking on Adom FM’s Burning Issues on Monday, August 5, 2019, Mr Darko Ankrah explained how the independence struggle started from “1897 when the Aborigines Right Protection Society (ARPS) was formed to fight for the freedom of the then Gold Coast and even to the whole of West Africa.”

He said politicians seek to select dates and personalities that have a direct elevation of their political and sometimes biological antiquity and does not auger well for the progress of the nation.

Speaking on why some people attribute the day as Founder’s Day, Mr Darko Ankrah said: “Nkrumah was the only person who singlehandedly fought for the Trans Volta Togoland to join Ghana.”

 “When Ghana was under colonial rule, it was Gold Coast and the Independence bill that was signed by then President of the new Nation-State, Ghana, Kwame Nkrumah”, he told host, Akua Boakyewaa Yiadom.

He added: “Prior to the coming into being of Ghana, the ARPS fought to secure the lands of Ghana when the Queen wanted to claim ownership of every idle land in the country.”

The Historian disclosed that had it not been the collective contribution of people from”1874 to 1957, the CPP and the others would not have even come to own any land to call it Ghana after Independence”.

Mr Kwaku Darko then suggested that “a neutral date which has historical importance without any partisan connotations such as the date of the first election in Ghana was held or the date of the last election before Independence” as considerable epochs for such celebrations to avoid the back and forth with dates and their political implications.

Prior to the passing of the Public Holiday Amendment Bill into law in March 2019, September 21 – which is the birthday of Ghana’s first democratically-elected President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah – was regarded as the Founder’s Day.

However, after the passage of the bill, August 4, which marks two important milestones in Ghana’s history has been selected for the celebration.

Firstly, August 4 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 Joseph Boakye Danquah and George Alfred “Paa” Grant.

President Nana Akufo-Addo in a message to the nation on Sunday, August 4th, said: “we acknowledge the role played by successive generations of Ghanaians towards the liberation of our country from colonization and imperialism.”

He urged that “it is time we rose above partisan considerations, set the record straight, recognise the collective efforts in gaining our freedom and independence from colonial rule and do right by our history.”