As Ghana year mark 4th August to celebrates its Founders’ Day, attention is focused on the key players who contributed to the country’s liberation from British colonial rule.
While Dr. Kwame Nkrumah is widely regarded as the leading figure in Ghana’s independence struggle, historians are shedding light on the roles of other individuals who, albeit reluctantly, played crucial parts in shaping the nation’s future.
Dubbed the ‘Reluctant Founders,’ these individuals, including Joseph W.S. de Graft-Johnson, Ebenezer Ako-Adjei, Edward Akufo-Addo, and William Ofori-Atta, among others, were not always in agreement with Nkrumah’s vision or methods.
Yet, their contributions, however indirect or reluctant, helped pave the way for Ghana’s independence on March 6, 1957.
While Nkrumah was the driving force, others played important roles, sometimes begrudgingly.
Their stories offer a nuanced understanding of Ghana’s journey to independence.”
The ‘Reluctant Founders’ include politicians, lawyers, and activists who, despite reservations, worked together to achieve a common goal.
Their legacies serve as a reminder that Ghana’s independence was a collective effort, born from diverse perspectives and contributions.
As Ghanaians celebrate their independence, acknowledging the ‘Reluctant Founders’ provides a richer understanding of the country’s complex history and the collaborative spirit that shaped its future.
By Kwame Asare
