The Speaker of Parliament, Prof. Aaron Michael Oquaye, has objected to the popular narrative about Ghana’s independence being declared by Dr. Kwame Nkrumah at the Old Polo Grounds in Accra.
The independence of Ghana has over the years been told of famously as the ‘At long last, the battle has ended, Ghana is free forever’ declaration by Dr. Kwame Nkrumah on March 5, 1957 at the Old Polo Grounds.
Dr Kwame Nkrumah was addressing a CPP rally here, according to Prof Mike Oquaye
But speaking at the 40th anniversary lecture of Prof. Kofi Abrefa Busia, on Tuesday, August 28, 2018, at the Accra International Conference Centre, Prof Oquaye said the declaration by Dr Nkrumah was only a teaser at a Convention People’s Party’s rally, which preceded the actual declaration of independence later on March 6, 1957 in Parliament.
“That was a CPP rally and Nkrumah was entitled to let his supporters know that the struggle was in fact ended. Independence was declared hours later in Parliament,” he said.
According to the Speaker,Dr Busia, who became the second Prime Minister, was the man who supported the motion moved by Kwame Nkrumah for independence.
“In this connection, let me say categorically that Nkrumah did not declare independence at the Old Polo Grounds. The motion for independence was supported by Busia and was carried and the Duchess of Kent declared Ghana independent at the National Assembly by the authority of Queen Elizabeth II,” he noted.
He has thus cautioned: “No Ghanaian child should be taught that Nkrumah declared independence at the Old Polo Ground”.
Eulogizing Busia, Professor Oquaye observed that he had been very instrumental to the struggle and attainment of Ghana’s independence, noting that “never in his life was he not supportive of Ghana’s independence”.
“I want to use this occasion to remind Ghanaians that when Nkrumah moved the motion of destiny in the National Assembly for independence, it was Busia who seconded it and it was unanimously carried.”
He added that Busia never stopped upholding democratic principles and condemning tyrannical tendencies while in Parliament.
“His role in Parliament was a prophet. He was opposed to the anti-democratic methods adopted by Nkrumah and the CPP, and spoke up against them.”
Source: 3news.com
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In fact its actually pain me for voting for npp. Their not doing anything and keep celebrating the dead why. The only thing we can talk about is the free shs and we dont even know where that one also is heading too is sad.
Yes is true it was Danquah who did. This old man
Thank Ghanaians. These Old man and NPP are not serious. People are being sack from their work and you are here talking about Nkrumah, are serious at all. Aaaaba.
Politics is about numbers, NPP must be careful not to drive away neutral Ghanaian voters. No matter how they want to project and portray Busia as being great and famous, he will never attain the status and reverence Nkrumah enjoys world wide. What's the logic in profs statement? Whether Nkrumah declared independence at the Polo grounds or not, if we are to go by the old profs accessions, the question is, who even moved the motion in parliament as he claims before Busia seconded it? the answer is (NKRUMAH NEVER DIES) His books, ideology, principles, speeches, industrial legacy are there for all of us to see. AKOSOMBO DAM, TEMA TOWNSHIP & MOTTOWAY and several integrated factories and educational institutions located all over the country just to mention a few (instead of buying a gated property with $7.5M in Takoradi with our oil proceeds as the modern day politicians are doing)
And so what you block headed good for nothing so called professor. You will not say anything sensible. We want this country to develop and you are talking about does and who does not declare independence. Oh hoooooo
so is npp trying to fix the nation as they claimed and we voted them in power or they are trying to rewrite the history of GHANA?? this is becoming too much a disgrace and should be halted. smh
Our leaders must learn to bring us together rather than sowing the seeds of disaffection . This isn’t the work of a speaker of the house. This is shameful coming from the third gentleman of the land. Prof, come again.
Our leaders must learn to bring us together rather sowing the seeds of dissatisfaction. This isn’t the work of a speaker of the house. This is shameful coming from the third gentleman of the land. Prof, come again.
Something is wrong with this old man. Nkrumah moved the motion for the independence of Ghana and Busia supported it and the Duchess of Kent declared it by the authority of the Queen. Whatever you want to do will not succeed. It is Kwame Nkrumah we know. He was the Leader and he moved the motion. If one second a motion does that makes him extraordinarily supernatural? What change have you brought to Ghana's Parliament? It is the same thing that we have been hearing about. Ghana's Parliament is more co*rr^upt than ever before under your watch. That is what Ghanaians want you to talk about. Nkrumah and Busia are passed. They both brought a change. What change have you brought. What will you be remembered for. There has been more bribery cases in this Parliament than ever before. True/False