The Big Six is a Myth

THE BIG SIX IS A MYTH I was prompted to write this piece in response to an article published by the NPP-USA on Ghana web, which sought to distort the historical facts about how Ghana obtained its independence from the British. The writers seem to be in a confused state of mind as to who actually led Ghana to political independence from the colonial masters. I was alarmed by the insults that the NPP – USA poured on President Mills’ government for putting Dr. Kwame Nkrumah’s image on the new Ghana two cedi note introduced by the Bank of Ghana.

Before I proceed with my discussions, I would like to know from the authors of the NPP- USA article whether they have any knowledge of who actually led the struggle for Ghana’s Independence from the British colonial masters. Do they know those patriots who were the real drive behind the attainment of Ghana’s independence? Do they have any knowledge of when the struggle for Ghana’s independence started and those who actually shed their blood for the very freedom that we enjoy today? And do they know those people who kicked against the struggle for our political independence? Who are they to determine who should be honoured with our nation’s accolade and how? And what is wrong to honour Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana’s first president by putting his portrait on the new Ghana two Cedi note?

These were some of the questions that went through my mind when I set out to write this rejoinder to the NPP-USA article. I have always believed that, where there is success there is bound to be adulation, hatred and dejection. But at times, those who hate and deject others take matters too far and I can sense these in the minds of the authors of the NPP-USA article.

The desire by the Busia - Danquah tradition to destroy Dr Kwame Nkrumah’s legacy and to rewrite Ghana’s history always feature in the writings of those who belong to this tradition. And this has been the bane of Ghanaian politics during the 8 years that the NPP were in government. And it is the same story today. That is the more reason why the NPP-USA described as “insane” the inclusion of the portrait of Dr Kwame Nkrumah on the new Ghana two cedi note. What the NPP-USA failed to appreciate is that no one can set out to write the history of Ghana without reference to the political and economic legacies left behind by Dr Kwame Nkrumah. The evidence are there for all to see and every sensible person would agree that the inclusion of his portrait on the new Ghana cedi note was only a small way in honouring such a Great son of Ghana. The struggle for freedom and independence is a natural instinct of every creature and human beings are no exception. In the history of our dear nation tribal wars, occupations, colonialism and the fight for freedom led to the formation of groups such as the Fante Confederation, the UGCC and the CPP. And the subsequent agitations that led to the boycott of British goods led by the then Osu Allata Mantse, Nii Kwabena Bonne II. The protestations by Sgt. Agyetey and his two colleagues who were gunned down on 28th February 1948, all fuelled the drive for Ghana’s independence. It was not the UGCC that led the struggle for Ghana’s independence as those of the Busia – Danqauh tradion wants us to believe. Half the story has never been told. I wish the lies, distortions and twisting of Ghana’s historical past to favour the Busia- Danquah tradition would stop.

Dr. Nkrumah had his perception of what he wanted for Ghana and Africa in general and that included nothing short of political independence. The fact is that Dr Kwame Nkrumah was never initiated into politics by the UGCC. His acceptance of the invitation by the UGCC to Ghana and his later desire to go it alone did not make him a traitor, as people were being made to believe by the Matemehu-UP-NPP group. The UGCC lacked charismatic leadership, knowing what Dr Nkrumah was doing in UK with other African intellectuals; they decided to use him for their selfish ends.

When Dr Nkrumah realised that their goal was not about freedom for the country, he decided to go it alone to fight for the country’s independence from colonial domination. He knew why he came to the Gold Coast and he was determined to succeed. Whilst Nkrumah was going to the people to sensitize them about the need for independence, J. B. Danquah and his group were doing their best to please their colonial masters; by drinking tea, dinning and playing tennis with them. They arrogantly thought they were the aristocrats of the day and refused to mingle with the masses.

It is still the attitude with today’s rudderless, corrupt, insensitive and self destructive NPP; we should not forget how the NPP went campaigning in the UK and the USA when the then presidential candidate Mills was relating to the people with his door to door campaigns. Even today they criticize President Mills for travelling to the Northern Region and other parts of Ghana to see for himself what is happening on the ground. They would rather like to see him go globetrotting like NPP’s Kuffour, who used the tax payer’s money for his easy rides and per diems, which honourable President Mills now refused to take.

If ex -President Kuffour who achieved nothing worth mentioning could honour himself by hanging a gold chain worth tens of thousands of dollars around his neck like ex-Emperor Bokasa of Central African Republic, what is wrong with President Mills honouring Dr Kwame Nkrumah who achieved so much for Ghana by putting his portrait on our currency? What an irony, insanity indeed. After all, it was Dr Nkrumah who built the Akosombo dam, the Accra-Tema motoway, the Tema Harbour, which are today Ghana’s historic landmarks. If the NPP saw nothing wrong in crowding the Ghanaian Cedi with Dr Nkrumah and his sworn enemies as the so called big six, then I am baffled and would like to ask. Why would the NPP associate their Gurus with someone like Dr Nkrumah who they claimed to be a traitor? It doesn’t add up.

Dr. Nkrumah deserves more than his image on the new Ghana two Cedi note. J. B. Danquah and the UGCC were nothing without Dr Nkrumah; his inclusion on the Cedi gave them credence. No wonder they could not mention the traitors and bomb throwing terrorists separately or relate them to anything positive in Ghana’s quest for Freedom and Justice.

They disowned and betrayed Dr Nkrumah like Judas disowned and betrayed Jesus. But God has his own ways of making Great those He chooses. Whilst the UGCC traitors were released from prison for siding with the colonial masters, Dr Nkrumah was kept behind bars. The CPP continued the fight until Dr Nkrumah won freedom and subsequently elected as Head of government business. Dr Nkrumah went on with his CPP colleagues to lead the country to independence. So the real big six were those who stood with Nkrumah on the podium at the Old Polo Grounds in Accra for Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah to declare that “the journey has ended and Ghana our beloved country is free forever”. Dr Nkrumah went further to declare that “the independence of Ghana is meaningless unless it is linked up to the total liberation of Africa” no wonder he was named as the Best African of the Millennium.

The NPP kept deceiving themselves like in the days gone by, when their only success was conniving with their colonial masters to jail Nkrumah and the CIA to overthrow him from power thereafter. No wonder most of their criticisms of the NDC government is coming from the NPP –USA and NPP-UK Branches who have access to Ghana’s stolen assets and monies.

I have always wondered why the NPP never attacked Kutu Acheampong for overthrowing Busia’s government. Was it because Acheampong was right to stage a coup and overthrew the corrupt Busia government? No wonder they only find respect and legitimacy by aligning their founders with Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nrumah for credence as a member of the mythical BIG SIX. There was only the BIG ONE and he more than deserved his portrait on the new Ghana Cedi note. If honouring Dr Nkrumah on his centenary with his portrait on a Ghanaian currency is insanity, then we can all today bear testimony to the real madness in the misuse of public funds to build a presidential mansion when the majority of Ghanaians lack the basic necessities of life. We should not forget the corrupt practices, the elitism and the nepotism that characterised NPP 8years rule in Ghana.