President Akufo-Addo has adamantly dismissed the idea that a single person was responsible for founding Ghana, emphasizing that former President Kwame Nkrumah alone was not responsible for Ghana's independence.

He made this remark during his 2024 Founders’ Day address on Saturday, August 3.

The president made mention of collective efforts that were involved in the independence struggle, stating that while Nkrumah's role was significant, he was not the sole figure behind Ghana's liberation.

“I speak to you this evening, rejecting completely, the notion that Ghana was founded by one man. While Kwame Nkrumah’s contributions to our independence are undeniable, it is important to acknowledge for ourselves that respect that the struggle for our nation’s freedom was a collective effort spanning several generations,” President Akufo-Addo remarked.

In 2019, a law was passed by Parliament establishing August 4 as Founders’ Day to honor all individuals who contributed to Ghana’s path to independence.

Additionally, September 21 was designated as Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Day to specifically honor Nkrumah's contributions.

The establishment of Founders' Day sparked opposition from some individuals and groups who believed in Nkrumah’s unique role in founding the nation.

These critics assert that Nkrumah's leadership was crucial and merits exclusive recognition.

Reports have it that Ghana's journey to independence was fueled by the rise of nationalist movements and political activism.

Leaders such as Kwame Nkrumah, J.B. Danquah, and others played crucial roles in advocating for self-determination and an end to colonial rule.

The formation of political parties, such as the United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC) in 1947, marked a significant step in the organized push for independence.

The UGCC initially sought constitutional reform within the framework of British colonial rule. However, when their demands for self-governance were not met, the leadership split, and Kwame Nkrumah formed the Convention People's Party (CPP) in 1949, advocating for complete independence.

The 1948 Accra riots and the subsequent unrest prompted the British colonial authorities to reassess their approach. The incidents led to increased international attention on the Gold Coast's quest for independence.

In response to the unrest, the British appointed the Watson Commission in 1948 to investigate the situation and recommend a course of action. The commission's report acknowledged the desire for self-government and paved the way for constitutional changes.

In 1951, the British implemented a new constitution that allowed for a degree of self-government with an elected assembly.

Kwame Nkrumah's CPP won the elections, and he became the Prime Minister in 1952.

The final steps towards full independence were taken, and on March 6, 1957, Ghana became the first sub-Saharan African nation to gain independence from colonial rule.

Kwame Nkrumah became the country's first Prime Minister and later its first President.