Founders’ Day: Ghana’s Commemoration of the Birth of a Nation
By: Chimdindu Ken-Anaukwu
Today, August 4, 2025, Ghanaians observe Founders’ Day—a statutory public holiday that honours the collective legacy of the Big Six, the leaders who laid the foundation for independence. Since 2019, this day has marked the creation of the United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC) in 1947 by figures like J. B. Danquah and “Paa” Grant, as well as the founding of the Aborigines’ Rights Protection Society in 1897 under John Mensah Sarbah.
✨ The Big Six:
Kwame Nkrumah
J. B. Danquah
Edward Akufo‑Addo
Emmanuel Obetsebi‑Lamptey
William Ofori Atta
Ebenezer Ako‑Adjei
Today celebrates their shared sacrifice and leadership.
📜 A Short Historical Journey
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Sept 21 | Former Founder’s Day honoring Nkrumah (his birthday). |
| Aug 4, 1947 | UGCC formed—first nationalist political movement. |
| Aug 4, 1897 | Aborigines’ Rights Protection Society formed to resist colonial land laws. |
| Mar 2019 | Public Holidays Bill enacts Aug 4 as Founders’ Day. |
| Jun 25, 2025 | Parliament restores Sept 21 as Founder’s Day, adds July 1 as Republic Day. |
🎙️ Founders’ Day Today
Despite the legislative change, August 4 is still observed in 2025. The day features public lectures, school programs, and parliamentary addresses emphasizing unity, patriotism, and recognizing the sacrifices of Ghana’s early nationalists.
● Reflection on historical landmarks
● Cultural events across the country
● Community storytelling and youth engagement
● Legacy-building: renewing commitment to nationhood
🌍 Why It Matters
Founders’ Day is more than history—it’s a lens on identity and self-definition. Rather than celebrate only Nkrumah, Ghana now honours broader contributions that paved the way. Critics argue the shift from September 21 was politically motivated and risks sidelining Nkrumah's image—but supporters say a collective narrative strengthens national cohesion.
It urges Ghanaians to:
Recognize foundational political activism
Embrace a shared national story
Take collective responsibility for Ghana’s trajectory
🧠 A Thoughtful Reflection
"Founders’ Day isn’t about celebrating one man—it’s remembering the vision that united a nation."
That sentiment echoes across today’s ceremonies. Whether remembered on August 4 or shifting officially to September 21, Ghana’s founders remain central to the country's journey.
✅ Final Word
Today, August 4, 2025, Ghana solemnly honours its founders—the Big Six—and commemorates the powerful events that ignited its independence movement. But there’s a shift on the horizon: beginning 2026, September 21 will officially replace August 4 as Founders’ Day, with Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Day returning to the center. July 1 has also been reinstated as Republic Day, honoring Ghana’s full sovereignty.
Whether we celebrate on August 4 or September 21, one thing is clear: national identity must be protected, passed on, and spoken out loud.
🔑 What Language Has to Do With It
What good is honoring the founders if we forget the voices they fought for?
Ghanaian languages like Twi, Ewe, Ga, and Fante are not just dialects—they’re cultural blueprints. They hold the memory of our independence movements, our songs of resistance, and our future as a proud people.
And yet, they’re vanishing.
📲 NKENNE: Speak What They Fought For
At NKENNE, we’re reclaiming more than language—we’re reviving legacy.
Our app helps you learn Twi, Yoruba, Igbo, Swahili, Hausa, and 14 African languages that colonialism tried to silence. Every word you learn is a step toward cultural sovereignty. Every lesson is a tribute to the founders who dared to imagine a free Africa.
This Founders’ Day, honor them by speaking what they bled for.
👉 Download NKENNE today and keep Ghana’s soul alive—in your voice.