President Akufo-Addo (Right)
Ghanaians across the country and the world have observed the 2019 edition of Founders’ Day.
Founders’ Day is a statutory public holiday celebrated on 4th August annually.
With this year’s edition falling on yesterday (Sunday), today (Monday) is being observed as a holiday according to a public notice issued by the Ministry of the Interior.
Prior to the passing of the Public Holiday Amendment Bill into law in March 2019, 21st September which is the birthday of Ghana’s first President, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, was regarded as the Founders’ Day.
Background To Founders’ Day Celebration
It would be recalled that in 1874, Great Britain colonized Ghana then referred to as the Gold Coast.
But after Britain was weakened by World War II, there was a rising desire for independence, with Ghana becoming the first sub-Saharan African country to gain independence on 6th March 1957.
August 4 marks two important milestones in Ghana’s history.
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 the founding fathers.
In a message to the nation yesterday, President Akufo-Addo said: “We acknowledge the role played by successive generations of Ghanaians towards the liberation of our country from colonization and imperialism.”
“It is time we rose above partisan considerations, set the record straight, recognised the collective efforts in gaining our freedom and independence from colonial rule…”
The President paid tribute to all senior citizens across Ghana.
BY Melvin Tarlue