(Left) Chairman of the NPP Council of Elders, Hackman Owusu-Agyemang, and Kwame Pianim, Foundational Member of the NPP
By Bright Philip Donkor
The Council of Elders of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) will host a landmark panel discussion on August 4, 2025, to commemorate the 78th anniversary of the formation of the United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC).
The event will be held under the theme “Liberty, Markets & Ethics — Rethinking Development in Ghana.” The event will take place at the NPP Headquarters in Asylum Down, Accra, at 2:00 PM.
The UGCC, founded in 1947, was the first political movement in the then-Gold Coast to advocate for self-governance, laying the foundation for Ghana’s independence in 1957. Its formation marked a critical turning point in the nation’s political history, and the NPP, widely regarded as the ideological descendant of the UGCC, seeks to use this anniversary not only as a moment of remembrance but as a rallying call for national introspection and renewal.
“This is more than a remembrance. This is a call to reclaim the values that once sparked a national awakening—liberty, enterprise, and ethical leadership,” Chairman of the NPP Council of Elders, Hackman Owusu-Agyemang, said.
Inclusivity
The panel will bring together a cross-section of Ghanaian society, including educators, entrepreneurs, youth leaders, public servants, and civil society actors. Through dialogue and debate, participants will examine how Ghana can realign its development agenda with the core principles that animated the UGCC’s founding: freedom, accountability, and shared prosperity.
At the heart of the conversation will be three pressing national questions that reflect the challenges and aspirations of contemporary Ghana. The first is: what does freedom truly mean in modern Ghana, beyond the historical struggle for independence? The second explores whether youth-led enterprise has the potential to transform the country’s economy, especially in the face of rising unemployment and a shifting global marketplace. The third question asks how the nation can effectively defend integrity in public life, amidst growing concerns over corruption, weak institutions, and a perceived erosion of ethical leadership.
Youth resonance
The event is expected to resonate particularly with young people, who have emerged as a decisive force in the country’s democratic and economic trajectory. Organisers say the panel aims to spark honest conversations and encourage bold thinking around Ghana’s long-term vision, especially in a period marked by economic headwinds, rising unemployment, and growing public demand for ethical leadership.
“This year’s anniversary is about connecting the wisdom of the past to the challenges of today. It’s about recognizing that Ghana’s future is not a spectator sport. It requires active citizenship, courageous leadership, and a national consensus on what kind of society we want to build,” said one of the organisers.
According to information gathered, the invitation extended by the NPP Council of Elders underscores the importance of civic engagement: “The freedoms we enjoy were hard-fought. Now they must be lived, through responsibility, bold ideas, and an unwavering commitment to truth and justice.”
Beyond members of the NPP, the event is open to the wider Ghanaian public, with a strong focus on inclusion and intergenerational dialogue. Live updates and digital streaming options will be available for those enabled to attend in person.
About The Author
