Most youngsters were not born when lawyer Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, together with some outspoken politicians and journalists, led over 100,000 Ghanaians to embark on perhaps, the greatest revolution in the annals of the country's political history - post-Fourth Republic – also known as the ‘KUME PREKO’ – to wit, ‘you may as well kill me’.
That was a rare protest against the Jerry John Rawlings administration in the city of Accra on May 11, 1995, as hundreds of young and old people, responding to calls for demonstrations in opposition to the Value Added Tax (VAT) initiative which was introduced under the Jerry John Rawlings administration, government corruption and hardship, chanted war songs amid “Kume Preko”.
The demonstration was initially billed as a peaceful protest but quickly became violent when unidentified assailants shot live bullets into the crowd resulting in the deaths of some of the protestors.
The Masterminds
Those at the forefront of this protest were Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo (Now the President of Ghana), Dr. Charles Wreko Brobbey (Politician), Kwasi Pratt Jnr (Journalist), Dr. Nyaho Tamakloe (Politician), Abdul Malik Kwaku Baako (Journalist), Akoto Ampaw (Lawyer), Victor Newman (Politician), Kwaku Opoku (Politician), Napoleon Abdulai (Politician) and Agyiri Blankson (Politician).
What Led To The Uprising?
Jerry John Rawlings who came to power in a 1992 military takeover, had cemented his hold through harsh repression that has silenced critics, curtailed free speech, and ended any semblance of democratic politics. Even the mildest dissent has been met with harsh punishments and long prison sentences.
Also, the high cost of living and particularly, the imposition of Value Added Tax (VAT) on items by Mr. Rawlings fueled the demonstration against the administration.
Major news outlets then reported that it was a period in which able-bodied and hardworking citizens could not afford one decent meal a day for a family.
Also, the drop-out rate in educational institutions was said to be rising at a very alarming rate.
The Bloody Kume Preko Day
However, what started as a peaceful protest turned gory when some unidentified assailants, believed to be drawn from the military, opened fire on the demonstrators.
Many sustained severe injuries and others died from the attacks but all leaders managed to escaped the horror scene.
After Kume Proko
In the aftermath of the demonstration, some of the leading protestors - Nana Akufo-Addo, Charles Wereko-Brobby, Kwesi Pratt Jnr, Akoto Ampaw, and Napoleon Abdulai wrote a book titled - "Ghana: The Kume Preko demonstrations: Poverty, Corruption and the Rawlings Dictatorship".
The Re-Union Of The Masterminds
Exactly 25 years ago, six (6) of the architects of the biggest demonstration to have occurred in Ghana’s history have met at the private residence of Mr. Agyiri Blankson at 3rd Circular Road, Cantonments.
The meeting was to commemorate their past achievement in ensuring fairness for the people under the military leadership of Mr. Jerry John Rawlings and also to remember lives that were lost during the demonstration.
Amid the Coronavirus, the Kume Preko leaders were all in their facemasks during their private meeting with President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo fully relaxed among his old friends without any official bodyguard.
Source: King Edward Ambrose Washman Addo/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana
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I was 14 years then. You guys demonstrated because of VAT introduction and when NPP came to power in 2000 we all thought you would abolish VAT, but you rather maintained it. What was the essence of the demonstration then?
The change has given you idi*ots the chance to talk freely in Ghana to even misuse the freedom to insult and create lo00t and share. When was that time? That was the dreaded P/ndc time when people vanished from their homes, when the youth were given identification hair cut these patriots led by the President of Ghana risked their lives and matched on the streets of Ghana for Democracy which has given you fo00*ls V8 to live luxurious lives. I'm happy my president left his busy schedule to join his compatriots to send a signal to those cowards who run to join the revolution he doesn't fear huuuu! He is still who he was in those dark days. You can't threaten Akufo Addo with "s3 y3ka na s3 won antie aa eno de3" hw3333... who told you that? The civilian who faced the armed soldiers and the civilian who joined the junta out of cowardice and making noise out of somebody's power who is brave? Who is courageous? Akufo Addo will protect Ghanaians ! Don't you in the ndc dare him and never think because he gave in to you , everytime to save Ghanaians so it will be the same when he is in control to protect Ghanaians! He will take you through the marathon of the constitution and get the results that Ghanaians need.
@Danny...The change is that today everyone,including you talk freely without fear,and again Ghanaians are educating their children at SHS LEVEL free.
I feel really scandalised that these people felt to shame to meet and commemorate what? The ills in society, corruption, hardship etc that they led demonstrations against, are happening on mega, mega scale under heir eyes and leadership. The least they can do at this moment is to apologise to the people of Ghana and the relatives of those who painfully lost their lives during the KUME PREKO domonstration. BIG SHAME
so what has changed, nothing only some greedy one are feeding on our resouces period