President Mills sets to declare 21st September a
public holiday
BY Masahudu Ankiilu Kunateh, Ghanadot
Accra. Sept 3, Ghanaddot - The President of Ghana,
Professor John Evans Atta Mills, will by Executive
Instrument declare 21st of this month a public holiday.
The holiday will commemorate the 100th birthday of the
first President of Ghana, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah.
Director of Communication at the presidency Koku
Anyidoho, has disclosed in Accra.
The day has been set aside to recognize the heroic works
of Dr. Nkrumah and to “position him as somebody who led
the independent struggle, somebody who was the first
president of the Republic of Ghana and then situate
history in its proper context.”
Critics have argued such a holiday will play down the
efforts of some of the front liners, particularly
members of the big six, whose invaluable contributions
led to Ghana’s independence on 6th March 1957.
However, Mr. Anyidoho said the 6th of March which is
celebrated every year, recognizes the contributions of
all the heroes who contributed to make Ghana the first
country south of the Sahara to gain independence from
colonial rule.
He said the president would want to declare the 21st of
September a public holiday to eulogize only Dr. Kwame
Nkrumah.
The declaration falls in line with the President’s
earlier address to Parliament in which he hinted at his
government’s plans to mark the centenary celebrations of
the first president.
Already, the Prof. Akilakpa Sawyer-led Committee charged
with planning the celebrations has been given an initial
sum of GH¢2 million for the celebrations.
After this year’s celebrations, government will proceed
to parliament to pass into law the celebration of 21st
September as a public holiday.
Ghanadot
