Monday, September 7, 2009

Kwame Nkrumah was not a god after all !!!!!




On Thursday, Ghana woke up to hear about the Founders Day celebration in Ghana and Africa. This day had been on the drawing board since President Mills’ announcement in his speech in January. Ghana now has one more holiday to celebrate. Founder’s day comes as one of the only days Ghana will celebrate in commemoration of a former head of state.

I never had the chance to meet Kwame Nkrumah, and I strongly believe you too did not have that opportunity. I grew up to think Kwame Nkrumah was a semi-god of immense capabilities and that is how come he was able to wrestle independence from his white-skinned rulers who were to be feared in that era. Today, I know a few tales and myths I heard about Kwame Nkrumah were not so true after all.

Little Kwame Nkrumah in his childhood stripped at his mum’s back, is reported to have told his mother, that she had stepped on a fish. When his mother took the pains to bend and check for herself, it was true. She had really stepped on a fish and didn’t even realize it. I found this myth hard to believe at first. Now, I have no difficulty disbelieving it. Kwame was really great but not a god.

There were also some myths about him being a true servant of one of the most powerful gods in Ghana. And as such he was protected from any human attacks. Some believe that is how come he escaped his attempted assignation at the Airport. It was reported that Kwame Nkrumah knew about the bomb that had been planted into the bouquet that was to be presented to him. This myth is a little bit difficult to disprove or substantiate.

One thing I know for sure, Dr, Nkrumah was a great ruler (although he was a little bit over ambitious with his goals). But he was certainly not a god, at least not a god enough to predict his overthrow.

2 comments:

MIghTy African said...

lol thanks for the tale.

When is Founders' Day officially?

Edward of PathGhana said...

Founder's day is on Kwame Nkrumah's birthday. Monday 21st September... Cant wait!!