Writes Kwabena Boadu Anafo
& Dedicated to the AES Revolutionary Leaders
This year’s commemoration of the 4th June revolution holds profound symbolic value. It draws significance from both the unique numerology of the date (the 4th day of the 6th month) and the special milestone of the 46 – year anniversary.
This rare convergence of the date and the anniversary year, which happens only once, makes this occasion truly remarkable and worthy of a grand celebration.
The revolution pioneered by Flight Lieutenant Jerry John Rawlings after his failed May 15 uprising earlier that year, marked a transformative chapter in Ghana’s history.
This intense political upheaval brought a new sense of discipline and justice to the nation. It fought against widespread corruption and left a legacy that strongly strikes a chord in Ghanaian society.
Driven by the principles of probity and accountability, the revolution rallied the mass of people. It gave them hope as a united citizens to oppose unjust rule while demanding ethical governance for the country’s progress.
The spontaneous and overwhelming support from different parts of society was extraordinary. Workers, farmers, and especially the youth, including secondary and tertiary students, answered the call for greater sacrifice.
They were seen carrying cocoa in the interior to be sent to the ports for export, helping to boost the nation’s economy. Their cry for more commitment and their enthusiasm reminded us of Chairman Mao’s words, “To understand the theory and methods of revolution, one must participate in revolution.”
Another of his sayings, “Revolution is a passionate drama, won not just by reason but by cultivating hope, trust, and unity,” also rings true here.
These ideas matched the spirit of the June 4 Revolution, which made Ghanaians felt that they could build a better future for their nation.
In this atmosphere, it’s no wonder that the people saw Chairman Rawlings as their savior and even gave him the accolade “Junior Jesus” (J.J.), a play on his initials. However, despite the powerful energy of this time, its radical vision was short – lived, leaving behind a legacy that though inspired, but left unfulfilled dreams.
Even after 46 years, the influence of the revolution has spread beyond Ghana’s borders. It has increased the vim of liberation movements across Africa and in other parts of the world. Captain Thomas Sankara in Burkina Faso took inspiration from Rawlings.
The June 4 Revolution also gave a boost to Samora Machel in Mozambique and Maurice Bishop in Grenada in the Caribbean.
In Suriname, DĂ©si Bouterse seized power in 1980, a year after the June 4 revolution, inspired by Rawlings’ boldness. He visited Ghana to meet Rawlings and they also met in Paramaribo, in the former Dutch colony.
These movements together revived the spirit of resistance against colonialism, imperialism, neocolonial exploitation, and corrupt local leaders who served external oppressors. They united the struggles for national sovereignty and self – determination.
The June 4 revolution was in line with the revolutionary ideas of Pan – African and nationalist leaders like Kwame Nkrumah, Patrice Lumumba, AmĂlcar Cabral, Modibo Keita, and Gamal Abdel Nasser etc, who challenged colonial rule over the native people.
Today, its values are reflected in the rise of a new generation of military leaders in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, such as Captain Ibrahim TraorĂ©, Colonel Assimi Goita, and Abdourahamane Tchiani. They follow Rawlings’ firm stand against corruption and unjust rule. His legacy is further honored in Burkina Faso with an avenue named after him and a museum with a giant statue of Sankara, posturing the connected struggles for African liberation.
Analysts point out that the African revolution is as historically important as Toussaint L’ouverture and Jean-Jacques Dessalines’ Haitian revolt, the Bolivarian resistance in Venezuela led by Hugo Chavez named after Simon Bolivar, the Cuban revolutions led by Che/Camelo and Castro, and the armed struggle in Algeria led by Ahmed Ben Bella and the National Liberation Front to gain independence from the French colonialists, and were the first Africans to adopt armed resistance.
To connect the African revolution with the global black struggles, Ben Bella appointed the well – known Pan – Africanist and author Frantz Fanon, famous for his works like “The Wretched of the Earth” , “Towards The African Revolution,” etc. from Martinique in the Caribbean as the Algerian ambassador to Ghana.
Fanon was tasked with communicating between the FLN – led provisional government and Nkrumah during the war between Algeria and France. It was truly an amazing and significant event.
The June 4 event stands as a symbol of the common people’s resistance, fighting for dignity and justice for the marginalized. In the face of Africa’s ongoing political and economic challenges.
Rawlings’ revolution continues to inspire unity and resistance across the continent. It serves as a wake – up call, regardless of any shortcomings.
Long live the June 4 Revolution! Long live Ghana! Long live the African revolution!✌🏿
To those in the AES countries, we say Ayekoo. Well done! 👍🏿
