Remembering Nkrumah ; Ghana’s first President

Last Tuesday, February 24, 2015, marked exactly 49 years since the overthrow of that African referred to in his time as ‘the man ahead of his time’ by the Western world. He was a true leader, a liberator, the first President of the Republic of Ghana, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah.

His overthrow was perpetrated by a group of military and policemen, led by key figures such as Col E.K. Kotoka, Major A.A. Afrifa and Inspector General of Police J.W.K. Harlley.

Files of CIA

The files of the US Central Intelligence Agency declassified in 1999 showed that the United States of America (USA) had been trying to influence people to overthrow President Kwame Nkrumah since 1964.  According to declassified files of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) of the US, these men received adequate support from the CIA. This was because Dr Nkrumah’s government posed a great threat to the US and her interests due to the strong socialist leaning of Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah in the heat of the Cold War between the USA and the USSR.

It is instructive in this vein to state that the existence of the National Liberation Movement (NLM) with its sole aim of defeating Nkrumah by fair or foul means, provided the impetus for the CIA agenda. 

The NLM, which engaged in violence, became the vanguard of opposition movements in the country and as aptly captured in his book titled ‘ The Political History of Ghana (1950-2013), Dr Obed Yao Asamoah describes how savage the NLM campaign was, leading to many fatalities, especially in 1955 when Dr Kofi Abrefa Busia was the NLM’s parliamentary leader. 

Emergence of Nkrumah

 The emergence of Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah onto the political scene in the Gold Coast re-energised the fight against the colonial forces and imperialists. Thus, his appearance and subsequent leadership positions within the major political forces in the country, namely, the United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC) and later the Convention Peoples’ Party (CPP) at that time brought immense and sustained pressure onto the British Colonial Powers leading to the granting of internal self-government and independence in 1954 and 1957, respectively.

Under Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana saw unprecedented progress both internally and internationally. This was predicated on the economic independence of Ghana, total liberation and decolonisation of Africa.

Achievements

 It is pertinent to highlight some of the achievements of  the first President of the Republic of Ghana.

On the political front, he began the move to give assistance in diverse ways to dismantle colonial rule in Africa, advocated Pan-Africanism, to fight neo-colonialism on the continent. He was the architect of the founding of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU). 

He became a symbol of hope and emancipation for Blacks and all oppressed peoples everywhere in the world and many others. He also demonstrated strong support to the UNO and the Non-Aligned Movement.

 Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah in his quest to promote economic development, embarked on major infrastructure projects. As a tool to accelerate the economic development and growth of our dear motherland, he built factories and industries in Ghana, the Tema City Harbour, new roads, and expanded the Civil Service. 

Driving force

Again, he believed that development was promoted and sustained through a secure, sustained and available source of power. This conviction became his driving force to construct the Akosombo Dam to provide electricity for industrial activities both for Ghana and her neighbouring states.

 He was a man who was committed to the wellbeing of the masses. This, he confirmed when his government took over multinational corporations in the Ghanaian economy, through nationalisation policies leading to the creation of  more jobs in the economy and increased wages. He set up the main Ghana Shipping Line - the Black Star Line- to cater for the import and export needs of the country.

Socially, he was a man with a strong commitment to providing social amenities to improve the lives of Ghanaians. It was in this direction that his government constructed a number of new hospitals and pipe-borne water extended to many communities.

Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah believed in education as an instrument to enhance socio-economic development. This he did by maintaining the colonial educational structures geared towards European degrees and values. He introduced free basic education for all children in Ghana by abolishing school fees at this level.

He expanded education by building more schools to increase enrolments, teacher colleges to train teachers, as well as several secondary schools (high schools).

Overthrow

The overthrow of Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah on February 24, 1966, was received differently both within and outside Ghana. According to those who supported the 1996 coup, dictatorship, economic mismanagement, shortage of essential commodities, pre-occupation with Pan-African affairs, suppression of liberties and freedoms of individuals, as well  as disregard for traditional institutions, were the main reasons that occasioned the February, 24, 1966 Coup.

These allegations notwithstanding, the achievements of various successive governments could not match the success stories of the first Republic government, led by Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah.

Even though successive governments continue to make efforts to improve upon the lives of Ghanaians, their efforts remain unparalleled to those of Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah.

His achievements are still evident in the country as they continue to be the fulcrum around which current development drives revolve.

 In recognition of the above, President John Evans Atta Mills instituted the Founder’s Day in honour of Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah to be observed on every September 21, in appreciation and recognition of his contributions to Ghana and the world at large, especially the African continent.

 I pray that this august House takes necessary steps to give legal backing to the Founder’s Day to be captured in the National Holiday Act.

Mr Speaker, major national institutions and international institutions of international recognition, in appreciation of the roles played by Dr Kwame Nkrumah in promoting world peace and freedom, have also honoured him.

It was in this light that Kwame Nkrumah became an international symbol of freedom, as the leader of the first black African country to shake off the chains of colonial rule. In 2000, BBC Africa Service listeners voted him the African of the Millennium.

 It is in this vein that his statue was erected on the premises of the African Union Complex in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

On this occasion, I call on all Ghanaians to reflect on Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah’s ideas and contributions to see how best we all can come together to help build mother Ghana.  

—  The writer is the MP for Keta.