Comment: "WHO ARE THESE VERANDAH BOYS?"

Comment: "WHO ARE THESE VERANDAH BOYS?"

Author: Nana Akyea Mensah, The Odikro

Date: 2011-08-06 10:41:00

Comment to: President Mills Cannot Deviously Co-opt the Church

OFFICE OF THE ODIKRO
a companion of the black star!

Our dear grandson,

"Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities." - Voltaire, French author, humanist, rationalist, & satirist (1694 - 1778)


"Such lies, of course, began with an upstart Kwame Nkrumah claiming to have been personally called a “Verandah Boy” by Danquah partisans. In reality, Nkrumah had only been accused of deliberately lining up professional and intellectual misfits for cardinal administrative positions in his government."

Kwame Okoampa is once again caught red-handed in his indefatigable attempts to re-write the history of this country. The "verandah boys" remark by J.B. Danquah was made long before Kwame Nkrumah even formed his government. Indeed, Danquah made that remark even before the formation of the CPP in 1948.

According to an eye-witness who is no other person than the daughter of Paa Grant, Mrs Sarah Esi Grant-Acquah, in her essay, "In the beginning was…PAA GRANT" Danquah called the followers of Kwame Nkrumah "verandah boys" long before Nkrumah formed his government. Indeed, this happened in a meeting at Paa Grant's residence at Takoradi, namely Beach Crescent House.

Here is how she recounts the story:

"I remember once there was a meeting at Cape Coast Town Hall and the hall was full with people, including Paa Grant, Kwame, Nkrumah, Blay, de Graft Johnson, etc. After the prayer to open the meeting Kwame Nkrumah spoke, Paa Grant spoke. As soon as Danquah got up to speak there was an uproar – some of the young men disrupted the meeting throwing about chairs and insulting everybody – Paa Grant and all. This confirmed to them that what they heard was true. So, they decided to call Kwame to Paa Grant’s house for a meeting – only Kwame and the Founders. As they were settling down to start the meeting they heard some commotion downstairs, so Dr. Danquah went to the window to verify what was going on. I personally witnessed this event. There were about 50 supporters of Kwame noisily beating drums and singing:

“Danquah, Kwame Nkrumah aye wo den?

Danquah, Kwame Nkrumah aye wo den? Ny?

hon na wo kra no ma ofiri aborokyir bei a ?

“Danquah, Kwame Nkrumah aye wo den?

For each verse they replaced Dr. Danquah’s name with that of the Founders – Papa’, “Ako Adjei” etc. I recognized some of these supporters as frequent visitors of Father. One of them was Pobee Biney – TUC Gold Coast Railways. When they saw Dr. Danquah, they became more agitated. They started insulting and calling his name. This was the time Dr. Danquah asked, “Who are these verandah boys” ? Paa Grant was able to calm them down for a while. He came down once or twice to do so."

Therefore, Kwame Okoampa-Ahoofe, the professor of creative writing is not writing history but fictitious propaganda when he concludes this silly article with:

"In reality, Nkrumah had only been accused of deliberately lining up professional and intellectual misfits for cardinal administrative positions in his government."

Shame unto you!

I avail myself of this opportunity, to extend to you, on behalf of the Odikro, Nana Akyea Mensah II, the assurances of our highest consideration.

Take care!

Forward Ever! Backwards Never!!!

Sincerely,

Pur'gu Saarpe!
Secretary to the Odikro, Nana Akyea Mensah II,

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