Audio Attachment:Listen to Kwesi Pratt Jnr. |
Seasoned journalist, Kwesi Pratt has cautioned the Akufo-Addo administration against a new bill before Parliament, by the government, to amend the Public Holidays Act.
The new bill which was laid by the Interior Minister, Ambrose Dery, on Thursday, December 13 seeks to make January 7 Constitution Day and August 4, Founders' Day.
The government is also proposing to scrap the Republic holiday on July 1 and AU holiday on May 25 whereas the Founder's Day on September 21 will no more be observed as Founder's Day but only as Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Day.
The proposal is ensure that AU and Republic Days are only observed as commemorative days.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo last year proposed that August 4 should be observed as Founders' Day in memory of the successive generations of Ghanaians who contributed to the liberation of the country from colonial rule and September 21 set aside as a memorial day for Dr Kwame Nkrumah who played a key role in the country's independence.
Kwesi Pratt questioned the logic in scrapping the Republic Day and introducing January 7 as statutory holiday.
According to him, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah is an African icon and his immense contributions to Ghana's independence and the liberation of Africa cannot be underestimated.
He wondered why the government wants to change the history of Ghana.
Kwesi Pratt noted that, going by the logic of the Akufo-Addo government for seeking to scrap the Republic and Founder's Days, the government should then celebrate all the characters and entities that played instrumental roles in the attainment of Ghana's independence.
He also added that Republic Day as well as 6th March represents landmarks to Ghana's independence and so there shouldn't be attempts to amend them.
He noted that the government's attempt to amend those holidays will distort the history of Ghana, with particular emphasis on the legacy of Dr. Nkrumah and his relevance as the Founder of Ghana.
"The people of Ghana will write their own history in the foreseeable future" if the government advances its motive to amend the Republic and Founder's Days, he told sit-in host Nana Yaw Kesseh on Peace FM's 'kokrokoo'.
Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana
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This whole brouhaha should be blamed on the late President Attah-Mills. When he was initiating the Founder's Day holiday, he should have listened to those voices that proposed "Founders' Day" as against "Founder's Day". There was and still some wisdom in that proposal. Perhaps, we wouldn't find ourselves in the current debates and unnecessary threats if we had christened the day "Osagyefo Day" or "Nkrumah Day" or something similar. Can we truly say Kwame Nkrumah is the founder of Ghana without others?
It is just a question ooooo, why this govt bend on changing everything and renaming everything at all? Why why? God is going to curseee this govt if time no take on certain things the bend on changing ooooo, even their generations to generation will pay for it oooo. I am done. Why
Even in death Nkrumah is causing fear and panic in the hearts and minds of unpatriotic grand sons of Africa! Sellout!!!!!
Any country that refuses to honor it's heroes is not worth dying for. So far kwame Nkrumah has been the only outstanding leader since independence. No leader can compare himself to Nkrumah. No leader in the whole of Africa has been able to been able to do what Nkrumah did. Nkrumah can never die! Instead of Akufu Addo learning from Nkrumah he has decided to go to war with him. If Nkrumah is dead why are you guys afraid of him. Even in death Nkrumah is giving Akufu Addo and his family and the white tiives sleepless nights. Danduuruwa!
Prat and those who think like him are very noisyyy. It is in order for us to abolish those uselesssss holidays. Some events only generate unnessesary debate to encourage division. Such events must be BOLISHED like we abolished the June 4 and December 31. At founders' Day Pratt and Co can still celebrate Nkrumah and Akuffo Addo can also celebrate JB Dankwah. In fact a time will come when we shall need to abolish Founders' Day for National Builders' Day where we can celebrate every ***barred word*** Harry and Tom that who we may recognize for contributing exceptional in our nation building.
Prat and those who think like hiem are noisyyy. It is in order for to abolish those ***barred word*** holidays. Some events only generate ***barred word*** debate to encourage division. Such events must be BOLISHED like we abolished June 4 and December 31. At founders' Day Pratt and Co can still celebrate Nkrumah and Akuffo Addo can also celebrate JB Dankwah. In fact a time will come when we shall need to abolish Founders' Day for National Builders' Day where we can celebrate every ***barred word*** Harry and Tom that we may recognize for contributing exceptional in our nation building.
The CIA sponsored Akufu Addo JB dankwa and busia to over throw kwame Nkrumah. So am not surprised that Nana is also pursuing Nkrumah. My question is, is this the most important thing or bill to send to Parliament at this time? Such a leader is hopelesslyy hopelesss. Nkrumah will never die! Some of you making comments here are too indoctrinated to appreciate common senss.
kwasi Pratt and others should stop annoying us. u people are saying Nkrumah was outstanding among those who fought for our independence. and so if his birthday has been declared a national holiday at the expense of others, why do you make noise? Ghanaians will never accept that your so called founder's day. it's childish and shallow thinking looking at even how and when Nkrumah came into the scene.
When Pratt speaks, you clearly hear the NDC lyrics in there. What he actually wanted to say was that his party (NDC) will write their history if they come to power. He only lacks the boldness to declare he is NDC even though his name was presented to Metro TV as one of NDC's communicators.
This is ridiculous!!!! When the NPP then in opposition were proposing the 21/09 as founders day, there was fierce disagreement from Mr Pratt and the NDC arguing that it should still remain Kwame Nkrumah's day to recognise his distinct contribution. What are we seeing now after dedicating a special day for him? Please, what is your true motive?