Introduction:
AS Ghana celebrates its 68th independence anniversary, it’s important to recognise the contributions of some distinctive enterprise heroes and Nationalist pioneers who paved the way in which for the nation’s freedom.
One such hero is Alfred John Kabu Ocansey, a colonial-era Ga-Dangme distinctive businessman, nationalist, media mogul, and philanthropist.
Ocansey’s life is a testomony to his imaginative and prescient, entrepreneurship, management, and patriotism, which performed a major function in Ghana’s nationalism and independence battle.
Ocansey’s enterprise ventures have been various and influential. He was a pioneer in introducing the gramophone, cinema, and radio to the Gold Coast. His Metropolis Press housed the 2 main main nationalist newspapers, the Gold Coast Spectator and the African Morning Put up.
These newspapers performed an important function in shaping the minds of many nationalists and politicians, together with 5 of the primary Massive Six. The Gold Coast Spectator, launched in 1927, was one of the common newspapers within the Gold Coast. It was recognized for its fearless tone and interesting options, making it a favorite amongst younger folks.
The African Morning Put up, alternatively, was launched in 1934 and have become a strong platform for nationalist voices. Ocansey’s newspapers employed famend journalists like Wallace-Johnson and Nnamdi Azikiwe, who performed important roles in shaping the nation’s nationalist motion.
Ocansey’s relationship with Nnamdi Azikiwe, a famend Nigerian nationalist, performed a major function in shaping the Gold Coast nationalism and independence battle.
Azikiwe, who labored at Ocansey’s Metropolis Press, was a key affect on Kwame Nkrumah and different distinguished nationalists. Azikiwe’s pan-Africanist beliefs and his dedication to African nationalism impressed Nkrumah, who would later turn into Ghana’s first Prime Minister.
Azikiwe’s affect prolonged past Nkrumah, shaping the broader nationalist motion within the Gold Coast. His personal experiences as a journalist and nationalist chief in Nigeria additionally knowledgeable his relationship with Ocansey.
Azikiwe’s speech honouring Kwame Nkrumah’s go to to Japanese Nigeria in 1959 highlights the deep respect and admiration between the 2 leaders. The connections between Ocansey, Azikiwe, and Nkrumah reveal the intricate internet of relationships that outlined the Gold Coast nationwideism and independence battle.
These relationships have been fostered via shared experiences, ideological alignments, and private connections, in the end contributing to Ghana’s independence in 1957.
Ocansey’s dedication to Ghana’s freedom and growth was evident in his political activism. He sponsored the Gold Coast deputation to the British Parliament in 1934, which was a major milestone in Ghana’s quest for independence.
This delegation, led by Nana Sir Ofori Atta I and Dr J.B Danquah, aimed to handle the grievances of the Gold Coast folks and advocate for higher costs for his or her cocoa. Ocansey additionally led and organised the first-ever social and financial freedom convention, establishing the Gold Coast and Ashanti Cocoa Federation organisations.
His affect prolonged to the well-known Gold Coast Cocoa hold-up at Nsawam, which threatened the cocoa enterprise and have become a subject of dialogue on the ground of the British Parliament.
Regardless of his important contributions to Ghana’s nationalism and independence battle, Ocansey’s legacy has been largely missed. Nonetheless, in recent times, efforts have been made to recognise his contributions. The Faculty of Info and Communication Research on the College of Ghana, in collaboration with the Ocansey and allied households, organised the primary A.J Ocansey Memorial Lectures in 2020.
The lecture sequence aimed to honour Ocansey’s contributions to Ghana’s growth and independence struggles. As Ghana celebrates its 68th independence anniversary, it’s important to remember the forgotten heroes like Alfred John Kabu Ocansey, who paved the way in which for the nation’s freedom.
Ocansey’s legacy is a shining instance of what could be achieved via laborious work, determination, and a dedication to at least one’s nation. By recognising his contributions, we will encourage future generations to emulate his examples and proceed to construct a greater Ghana.
Within the phrases of Professor Kwame Karikari, “A patriot like A.J Ocansey is worthy of a spot among the many nation’s founding fathers who fought for freedom, justice, and dignity for the Ghanaian populace.” Allow us to honour Ocansey’s legacy and recognise his contributions to Ghana’s nationalism and independence battle.
As we rejoice Ghana’s independence, allow us to not neglect the sacrifices and contributions of nationwide heroes like Alfred John Kabu Ocansey. Their legacies continue to encourage us, and their tales should be advised. By recognising their contributions, we will construct a greater Ghana, a Ghana that’s happy with its historical past and committed to its future.
The Author is a Researcher
BY ENGR. DR DZABAKU KUDIABOR OCANSEY
