The Big Six (Ghana)

Considered the founding fathers of present-day Ghana,{{Cite web|title=About Ghana|url=https://www.ghanaembassy.nl/about-ghana/|access-date=2020-08-01|website=www.ghanaembassy.nl|language=en-GB}} the members of the Big Six were:

• Kwame Nkrumah – first prime minister and first president of Ghana{{Cite ODNB|last=Rathbone|first=Richard|url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/ref:odnb/31504|title=Nkrumah, Kwame (1909?–1972), president of Ghana|date=2004-09-23|series=Oxford Dictionary of National Biography|doi=10.1093/ref:odnb/31504 }}{{Cite book|last=Pobee, John S.|url=http://worldcat.org/oclc/476349273|title=Kwame Nkrumah and the Church in Ghana, 1949-1966 : a study in the relationship between the Socialist Government of Kwame Nkrumah, the first Prime Minister and first President of Ghana, and the Protestant Christian Churches in Ghana|date=1988|publisher=Asempa Publishers, Christian Council of Ghana|isbn=9964-78-168-7|oclc=476349273}}
• Ako Adjei – founding member of the UGCC{{Citation|last=Sherwood|first=Marika|title=Adjei, Ako|date=2015-05-31|url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/acref/9780195301731.013.50496|work=African American Studies Center|publisher=Oxford University Press|doi=10.1093/acref/9780195301731.013.50496 |isbn=978-0-19-530173-1|access-date=2020-08-24}}
• Edward Akufo-Addo – founding member of the UGCC and subsequently chief justice and president of Ghana{{Cite journal|date=2017|title=GHANA: Akufo-Addo Takes Oath|url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-825x.2017.07449.x|journal=Africa Research Bulletin: Political, Social and Cultural Series|volume=54|issue=1|pages=21280A–21280C|doi=10.1111/j.1467-825x.2017.07449.x|issn=0001-9844}}
• Joseph Boakye Danquah – founding member of the UGCC{{Citation|last=Osei|first=Akwasi|title=Danquah, Joseph Boakye|date=2010-04-27|url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/acref/9780195301731.013.47822|work=African American Studies Center|publisher=Oxford University Press|doi=10.1093/acref/9780195301731.013.47822 |isbn=978-0-19-530173-1|access-date=2020-08-24}}
• Emmanuel Obetsebi-Lamptey – founding member of the UGCC{{Citation|last=Akansina Aziabah|first=Maxwell|title=Obetsebi-Lamptey, Emmanuel Odarquaye|date=2011-12-08|url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/acref/9780195301731.013.49678|work=African American Studies Center|publisher=Oxford University Press|doi=10.1093/acref/9780195301731.013.49678 |isbn=978-0-19-530173-1|access-date=2020-08-24}}
• William Ofori Atta – founding member of the UGCC{{Citation|title=Atta, Nana Sir Ofori, (11 Oct. 1881–24 Aug. 1943), Omanhene (Paramount Chief) of Akyem Abuakwa; an Unofficial Member, Executive Council of Gold Coast, since 1942; Provincial Member of the Legislative Council, Gold Coast Colony; President of the Provincial Council of Chiefs, Eastern Province, Gold Coast Colony; Member of the Board of Education, Gold Coast Colony; Director of Akim, Limited; Member of District Agricultural Committee, Akim Abuakwa|date=2007-12-01|url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/ww/9780199540884.013.u222064|work=Who Was Who|publisher=Oxford University Press|doi=10.1093/ww/9780199540884.013.u222064 |access-date=2020-08-24}}

An organized boycott of European imports took place in January 1948. The aim was to get the foreign traders known as the Association of West African Merchants (AWAM) to reduce the prices of their goods.{{cite web |url=http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/features/artikel.php?ID=120440 |title=The "Big Six", Myth or Reality? |access-date=3 April 2007 |author=Kosi Dedey |date=8 March 2007 |work=Feature article |publisher=Ghana Home Page}} This was followed by a series of riots in early February 1948.{{cite web |url=http://www.info-ghana.com/history.htm |title=Ghana before Independence |access-date=3 April 2007 |author=Allan D. Ohene |date=March 2002 |work=Ghana General Info-History |publisher=Lion's Den Ltd}} The boycotts were scheduled to end on 28 February 1948, a day that has become significant in the history of Ghana. AWAM has become a term synonymous with cheating or profiteering in Ghana.{{cite web|title=Ghana Dictionary A|url=https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/dictionary/|website=Ghana Web|publisher=GhanaWeb|access-date=3 April 2018}}{{cite web|title=Ghanaian Slang|url=https://www.timeout.com/accra/travel/ghanaian-slang-tribal-terms|website=Ghana Web|publisher=GhanaWeb|access-date=3 April 2018}}

On 20 February 1948, Dr. Nkrumah and Dr. J. B. Danquah met and addressed World War II veterans who had been agitating for their end-of-service benefits following World War II at the Palladium Cinema, Accra. These veterans had fought with the Gold Coast Regiment of the Royal West African Frontier Force and had not been paid their gratuities on their return home.{{cite web |url=http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/artikel.php?ID=139954 |title=Christianborg Crossroad Shooting Incident marked |access-date=28 February 2008 |work=General News of Thursday, 28 February 2008 |publisher=Ghana Home Page}} Nkrumah and Danquah both gave their support and encouraged the veterans in their protest over their post-war neglect.{{cite news |url=http://www.thestatesmanonline.com/pages/editorial_detail.php?newsid=159§ion=0 |title=Ghana is 50, UGCC is 60, too |access-date=3 April 2007 |date=26 March 2007 |work=News:Editorials |publisher=The Statesman}}

On 28 February, what became known as the "Christianborg Cross-Roads shooting" occurred. Some Second World War veterans marched to the Christianborg Castle, the seat of the colonial government.{{Citation|title="Savages Again"|url=http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt1dfnv0s.10|work=Medicine Bags and Dog Tags|pages=114–134|publisher=UNP - Nebraska|doi=10.2307/j.ctt1dfnv0s.10 |isbn=978-0-8032-1629-7|access-date=2020-08-24}} They intended to submit a petition to the Governor, Sir Gerald Creasy about their poor conditions, unpaid war benefits and neglect.{{cite web |url=http://www.businessghana.com/portal/aboutghana/index.php?op=indepen |title=Independence |access-date=3 April 2007 |work=History of Ghana |publisher=BusinessGhana}} Police Superintendent Colin Imray, a British police officer, ordered the veterans to disperse, but they refused. He then ordered his men to open fire on the unarmed soldiers and, when they refused, opened fire himself killing three of them namely, Sergeant Cornelius Frederick Adjetey, Private Odartey Lamptey and Corporal Attipoe. This led to another round of riots and looting in Accra during which foreign (European and Asian) stores were looted. The riots lasted for five days.

On the same day, following these disturbances, the United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC) leaders sent a cable to the Secretary of State in London.

"...unless Colonial Government is changed and a new Government of the people and their Chiefs installed at the centre immediately, the conduct of masses now completely out of control with strikes threatened in Police quarters, and rank and file Police indifferent to orders of Officers, will continue and result in worse violent and irresponsible acts by uncontrolled people.

"Working Committee United Gold Coast Convention declare they are prepared and ready to take over interim Government.{{Citation|title=PEOPLE GET READY|date=2019-05-01|url=http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/j.ctvg2535n.6|work=People Get Ready!|pages=23–44|publisher=OR Books|doi=10.2307/j.ctvg2535n.6 |isbn=978-1-68219-198-9|access-date=2020-08-24}} We ask in name of oppressed, inarticulate, misruled and misgoverned people and their Chiefs that Special Commissioner be sent out immediately to hand over Government to interim Government of Chief and People and to witness immediate calling of Constituent Assembly."{{Citation|title="We More Immediately Represent the People"|date=1988-01-29|url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/cbo9780511528668.007|work=Foundations of Representative Government in Maryland, 1632–1715|pages=183–232|publisher=Cambridge University Press|doi=10.1017/cbo9780511528668.007 |isbn=978-0-521-32941-5|access-date=2020-08-24}}

They also blamed Sir Gerald Creasy (whom they called "Crazy Creasy") for the riots due to how he handled the country's problems.

On 1 March 1948, the Riot Act was read. After that, a Removal Order was issued by Sir Gerald for the arrest of the six leaders of the UGCC who were held in the remote northern part of the Gold Coast following their arrests.{{Citation|title=Kinloch, Sir George, (1 March 1880–16 March 1948)|date=2007-12-01|url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/ww/9780199540884.013.u227799|work=Who Was Who|publisher=Oxford University Press|doi=10.1093/ww/9780199540884.013.u227799 |access-date=2020-08-24}} A commission of enquiry named the Watson Commission and chaired by Mr Brian Otwerebemah was established to investigate the riots. Members of the Watson commission included Dr Keith Murray, Mr Andrew Dalgleish and Mr E. G. Hanrott.

Following their incarceration, the nationalists became known as the Big Six while their popularity increased.

On 8 March 1948, some teachers and students demonstrated against the detention of the Big Six but these demonstrators were dismissed. Upon his release, Dr. Nkrumah set up a secondary school, Ghana National College in Cape Coast, for the dismissed staff and students.

{{Reflist|30em}}

• Pictures of "The Big Six"

:*[http://www.africawithin.com/nkrumah/big_six.htm AfricaWithin.com]

:*[http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/features/dsp_image.php?id=60272765 GhanaWeb.com]

:*[http://bp3.blogger.com/_zqpA7o7qIBI/RcxXA_8mgnI/AAAAAAAAAGY/LVg-t-6PvVg/s1600-h/ghanacedi.jpg Ten Thousand Cedis note]

{{The Big Six}}

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Category:1948 in Gold Coast (British colony)

Category:1940s in Gold Coast (British colony)

Category:Kwame Nkrumah

Category:African and Black nationalism

Category:20th century in Ghana