Efforts to Restore Dignity and National Cohesion Underway

Ghana’s history is marked by a disturbing pattern of political vilification that has left deep scars on the national psyche. From former leaders like Ignatius Kutu Acheampong and Akwasi Afrifa who were executed following military coups, to the posthumous branding of Kwame Nkrumah as a “nation wrecker,” propaganda and political expediency have repeatedly been weaponized against individuals for political gain.

These cases represent just the tip of the iceberg in a troubling historical narrative where reputations were destroyed, legacies erased, and national unity undermined through coordinated campaigns of misinformation. The damage extends beyond high-profile figures to include countless ordinary citizens who became silent victims of political purges during various regimes.

Political analysts and historians have increasingly called for Ghana to confront this painful past with honesty and purpose. A recent series titled “Ghanaians Given a Raw Deal” has documented how propaganda systematically dismantled lives and legacies across different political eras, highlighting the need for national reconciliation.

“Restoring dignity to those given a raw deal is not just about individuals,” explains a retired senior citizen who has been advocating for national healing. “It’s about strengthening our democracy, healing collective wounds, and building genuine national cohesion.”

The case for restoration rests on several pillars. Truth-building establishes trust between citizens and their government, ensuring that history is documented honestly rather than manipulated for political advantage. Justice provides healing for families who have watched loved ones vilified or executed without fair process. National memory that acknowledges both achievements and injustices forms the foundation of authentic unity.

Ghana’s experience mirrors similar challenges faced by other post-colonial African nations that have undergone political instability and military interventions. Countries like Rwanda and South Africa have implemented various reconciliation mechanisms with varying degrees of success, providing potential models for Ghana to consider.

Experts suggest several concrete pathways toward national healing. Truth commissions could provide forums to document and acknowledge injustices committed by past regimes, giving voice to victims and creating an official historical record. Memorialization efforts—including monuments, archives, and educational curricula—would honor both leaders and ordinary citizens who suffered political persecution.

Financial and social support for families of those unjustly executed or vilified represents another important dimension of reconciliation. Perhaps most critically, improved civic education could help citizens develop the critical thinking skills needed to question propaganda, demand evidence, and resist manipulation by political actors.

“This is not about NDC or NPP, military or civilian governments,” emphasizes the senior citizen advocate, referring to Ghana’s two dominant political parties. “Propaganda has been deployed across all political traditions, but its victims belong to the nation, not to one party.”

The cross-cutting nature of historical injustice means that restoration must transcend partisan interests to become a genuinely national project. This represents a significant challenge in Ghana’s often deeply polarized political landscape, where historical narratives frequently become battlegrounds for contemporary political advantage.

As Ghana approaches another election cycle in 2024, political observers note that confronting historical injustices could either further divide the nation or become a rare opportunity for political consensus. The path chosen will likely influence Ghana’s democratic trajectory and social cohesion for generations to come.

“Restoring dignity is not only about correcting history,” concludes the retired citizen’s appeal. “It is about reclaiming Ghana’s identity, strengthening democracy, and ensuring that no citizen is ever destroyed by political lies again. National cohesion demands truth, justice, and memory.”