Professor Atuguba on the Myth of the Big Six and Ghana's True Founder

During the Founder’s Day Celebration hosted by the Socialist Movement of Ghana (SMG), Professor Raymond Akongburo Atuguba, Dean of the University of Ghana School of Law, addressed the ongoing debates about the true founder of Ghana and the myth of the Big Six. He attributed these discussions to a failure to learn from former President Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, who not only led but documented his actions for future generations.

Professor Atuguba expressed his pleasure at the presence of Professor Akua Britwum, a senior academic and former research collaborator, as well as Kwesi Pratt Junior, a dedicated advocate for social justice. He praised their contributions and commitment to their respective fields.

Professor Atuguba

Key Points of the Lecture

Professor Atuguba outlined three main points in his lecture:

1. Self-Answered Topic: He argued that the topic of the myth of the Big Six and the real founder of the nation is self-explanatory, suggesting that the Big Six is a myth and there is only one true founder.

2. Learning from Nkrumah: He emphasized that the ongoing debates are a result of neglecting to learn from Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, who meticulously documented his actions and ideas.

3. Apartheid of Knowledge Production: He highlighted the global disparity in knowledge production and the epistemic violence that undermines local historical narratives.

The Myth of the Big Six and Founder’s Day

Professor Atuguba dismissed the concept of the Big Six as a myth, arguing that these individuals never acted as a unified group and often turned against each other. He stated that while many people and organizations contributed to Ghana's independence, Founder’s Day should be dedicated solely to Dr. Kwame Nkrumah. He criticized the current government for politicizing the historical narrative to honor relatives of prominent political figures.

He acknowledged the significant contributions of individuals like Dr. J. B. Danquah but cautioned against elevating them to the same level as Nkrumah. He supported honoring historical figures in appropriate public ways but opposed using national resources and history for private glorification.

 Importance of Documenting Achievements

Professor Atuguba stressed the need for meticulous documentation of achievements to prevent historical distortion. He lamented that many of Nkrumah's writings and speeches, which were rich in knowledge and policy planning, are not widely accessible or promoted. This lack of accessible knowledge allows misinformation to spread and diminishes Nkrumah's legacy.

He cited the distortion of Nkrumah’s legacy post-overthrow and the inadequate representation of his contributions in historical narratives as examples of epistemic violence. He called for comprehensive documentation and comparative analyses to preserve an accurate account of history.

 Addressing Epistemic Violence

Professor Atuguba discussed the broader issue of epistemic violence, which delegitimizes local knowledge production in favor of Euro-American perspectives. He advocated for increased investment in local knowledge infrastructure, including oral histories and indigenous research, to counteract this trend.

He warned that without addressing epistemic violence, Ghana would struggle to fully understand its history and achieve its national aspirations.

Conclusion

In closing, Professor Atuguba urged attendees to reflect on the words of Ghana’s national anthem, emphasizing the importance of freedom, rights, and the homeland. He called for a renewed commitment to understanding and preserving the nation’s true history.

This lecture serves as a reminder of the importance of accurately documenting and preserving history for future generations, and the need to honor the true founders of the nation without political bias.