Dr
Kwame
Nkrumah
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This
opinion
piece
critically
examines
Dr
Matthew
Opoku
Prempeh’s
assertion
that
no
president,
including
Dr
Kwame
Nkrumah,
has
developed
Ghana
like
President
Nana
Addo
Danquah
Akufo-Addo
since
2017.
The
piece
profiles
the
stature
and
significance
of
Nkrumah
and
Akufo-Addo
on
the
international
and
domestic
stages,
arguing
that
Nkrumah’s
vision,
leadership
and
impact
remain
unmatched
in
Ghana’s
history.
On
the
international
stage,
Nkrumah
is
celebrated
as
a
pioneering
Pan-Africanist
who
inspired
independence
movements
across
Africa.
Domestically,
he
led
an
ambitious
industrialisation
and
modernisation
agenda
in
post-independence
Ghana.
In
contrast,
while
Akufo-Addo
has
achieved
some
successes,
especially
in
education,
his
overall
impact
and
pan-African
credentials
do
not
rival
Nkrumah’s
transformative
leadership.
Ghana’s
rising
debt
levels
under
Akufo-Addo
are
also
noted.
The
piece
concludes
that
comparing
Akufo-Addo’s
achievements
to
Nkrumah’s
is
illogical,
ill-advised,
and
misguided.
Nkrumah’s
enduring
legacies
continue
to
shape
Ghana’s
trajectory
and
resonate
globally
in
a
way
that
Akufo-Addo’s
do
not.
Nkrumah
remains
an
unparalleled
figure
in
Ghana’s
history.
Background
During
his
unveiling
in
Kumasi
on
Tuesday,
9
July
2024,
Dr
Matthew
Opoku
Prempeh,
popularly
called
NAPO,
asserted
that
no
president,
including
Dr
Kwame
Nkrumah,
has
developed
Ghana
like
President
Nana
Addo
Danquah
Akufo-Addo
has
done
since
2017.
His
comments
aroused
a
great
deal
of
backlash,
lighting
up
the
media
like
wildfire.
When
he
issued
an
apology
statement
of
an
apology
on
12
July,
after
self-exoneration,
considerable
harm
appeared
to
have
been
done
to
his
party’s
cause.
Given
that
Nkrumah
founded
the
Convention
People’s
Party
(CPP),
the
party
vehemently
called
on
the
minister
to
do
the
‘honourable’
thing
for
the
sake
of
the
country’s
image,
within
24
hours,
resign
forthwith
from
all
governmental
and
political
positions
and
issue
an
immediate
apology
and
retraction.
Numerous
other
persons
from
the
general
public,
political
parties
and
politicians,
academia
and
the
media
took
issue
with
the
statement
for
denigrating
Nkrumah,
some
characterising
it
as
grossly
misguided,
reckless,
insulting
and
an
affront
to
the
legacy
of
Ghana’s
founding
father.
But
amidst
the
chatter,
it
is
essential
to
weigh
the
statement
and
ascertain
whether
the
minister
had
a
sound
and
objective
basis
for
his
assertion
using
empirical
data.
This
opinion
piece
seeks
to
do
this
and
expose
the
shallowness
of
the
comparison
and
the
sub-text
of
the
arrogance
with
which
it
was
made.
It
argues
that
what
politicians
say
must
be
honest,
accurate,
and
authentic
on
a
political
party
platform.
The
piece
profiles
Nkrumah
and
Akufo-Addo
at
two
levels
and
domains:
international
and
domestic.
Problematising
the
Comparison
This
piece
will
undoubtedly
show
how
visionary
a
leader
and
statesperson
Kwame
Nkrumah
was.
It
must
be
added,
however,
that
if
this
translation
is
contextually
accurate,
NAPO
limited
the
scope
of
his
comparison
to
two
areas:
the
protection
of
Ghana’s
interests
(public
purse?)
and
moving
Ghana
forward
(development?).
Therefore,
an
analysis
of
NAPO’s
claims
should
include
measures
of
how
Ghana’s
interests
flourished
or
suffered
under
both
leaders,
including
a
clear
understanding
of
what
protections
he
(NAPO)
was
referring
to.
As
it
stands,
it
isn’t
easy
to
say.
The
second
claim
is
relatively
more
straightforward
to
analyse
since
it
requires
comparing
policy
(policies
and
programmes)
impact
under
the
two
administrations.
Even
so,
the
choice
of
instruments
to
employ
in
the
measurements
could
be
contentious.
For
instance,
should
school
enrolment
be
used
in
evaluating
educational
policies,
or
would
it
be
more
objective
to
use
the
provided
education
infrastructure?
For
economic
development,
using
levels
of
indebtedness
could
also
be
problematic
because
there
are
cases
where
borrowing
has
been
invested
and
is
yielding
dividends.
In
contrast,
it
has
been
spent
on
conspicuous
consumption
in
other
cases.
These
comparisons
are
helpful
because
they
enrich
the
discourse
on
governance
and
development.
A
technical
evaluation
of
the
strategic
impact
of
Nkrumah’s
and
Akufo-Addo’s
infrastructural
developments
will
ordinarily
involve
considering
a
range
of
factors
to
determine
their
effectiveness
and
contribution
to
broader
goals—strategic
alignment,
socio-economic
and
environmental
impacts,
infrastructure
performance,
risk
assessment,
long-term
viability,
qualitative
and
quantitative
metrics,
and
stakeholder
analysis.
This
is
considered
outside
the
scope
of
the
discussion.
Nkrumah
on
the
International
Stage
Kwame
Nkrumah
is
celebrated
as
one
of
Africa’s
most
remarkable
politicians
and
a
pioneering
Pan-Africanist.
On
the
world
stage,
he
is
highly
acknowledged
for
the
following:
-
Prominent
Student
Activist
in
New
York
City:
During
his
10-year
stay
in
the
United
States,
Nkrumah
actively
participated
in
student
activism.
He
was
a
key
member
at
the
Pan-African
conference
in
New
York
in
1944.
-
Established
the
African
Students
Association
of
America
and
Canada:
While
studying
at
the
University
of
Pennsylvania,
Nkrumah
founded
this
association,
encouraging
fellow
students
to
make
a
lasting
impact
in
their
respective
countries.
-
Organised
the
5th
Pan
African
Congress
in
Manchester:
Nkrumah
was
pivotal
in
convening
this
influential
gathering
of
African
leaders
and
intellectuals.
Kenyatta
helped
organise
the
Congress
from
15
to
18
October
1945,
with
W.E.B.
Du
Bois
of
the
United
States
in
the
chair.
His
remarkable
achievements
led
to
him
being
acknowledged
in
various
ways:
-
Man
of
the
Millennium:
In
2000,
BBC
listeners
in
Africa
voted
Nkrumah
as
their
“Man
of
the
Millennium”
for
his
pivotal
role
in
leading
Ghana
to
independence
and
symbolising
freedom
for
black
African
countries.
-
Pride
of
Africa:
Historians,
commentators,
and
scholars
have
lauded
him
as
“The
Black
Star”
and
“Africa’s
Man
of
Destiny”
due
to
his
unwavering
commitment
to
African
liberation
and
unity.
-
African
Liberation
and
Emancipation:
Kwame
Nkrumah
was
a
crucial
figure
in
the
African
liberation
struggle.
He
advocated
for
the
independence
of
African
nations
from
colonial
rule
and,
as
Ghana’s
first
president,
played
a
significant
role
in
inspiring
and
leading
other
African
nations
towards
emancipation.
Nkrumah
practicalised
this
agenda
by
establishing
the
Kwame
Nkrumah
ideological
institute
at
Winneba
(or
the
Kwame
Nkrumah
Institute
of
Economics
and
Political
Science)
to
promote
socialism
in
Ghana
and
the
broader
African
decolonisation
goal
by
empowering
Ghanaians
and
other
African
students
with
knowledge
and
ideology
to
contribute
to
the
liberation
of
the
continent
from
colonial
rule.
He
also
set
up
other
infrastructure
for
training
liberation
soldiers.
-
Vision
for
Unity:
Nkrumah
envisioned
not
only
Ghana’s
independence
but
also
a
united
Africa.
He
believed
that
only
through
unity
could
the
continent
overcome
the
legacy
of
slavery,
colonialism,
imperialism,
and
underdevelopment.
His
dream
was
to
create
a
federal
union
of
African
states,
emphasising
that
“our
independence
is
meaningless
unless
it
is
linked
up
with
the
total
liberation
of
the
African
continent.”
Nkrumah’s
vision
of
Pan[1]Africanism
and
unity
laid
the
foundation
for
future
generations
of
African
leaders
to
continue
the
fight
for
freedom
and
self-determination
across
the
continent.
-
Vision
of
a
Strong
African
Military
Power:
Nkrumah
strongly
advocated
for
African
solutions
to
African
problems.
He
recognised
the
urgent
need
for
a
unified
military
planning
and
defence
strategy,
including
establishing
the
Joint
African
High
Command
(JAHC)
and
projecting
an
African
military
presence
in
the
crisis
in
Congo
Leopoldville,
now
the
Democratic
Republic
of
Congo
(DRC).
Nkrumah’s
legacy
extends
beyond
Ghana
and
remains
an
enduring
symbol
of
African
resilience,
vision,
and
determination.
His
pursuit
of
unity
and
liberation
continues
to
inspire
generations
across
the
continent,
as
the
African
Union
still
tries
to
pursue
his
remarkable
achievements
in
realising
his
vision
of
African
unity
and
finding
African
solutions
to
African
problems.
Nkrumah
on
the
National
Stage
At
home,
Kwame
Nkrumah
was
the
first
President
of
an
independent
Ghana
and
a
pivotal
figure
in
the
country’s
history
who
left
an
indelible
mark
through
a
series
of
ambitious
infrastructure
projects
that
continue
to
shape
the
nation’s
development.
Here
are
some
significant
initiatives:
-
Leading
Member
of
the
United
Gold
Coast
Convention:
He
energised
Ghana’s
political
landscape,
advocating
for
“independence
and
self-determination
now”
and
not
in
the
future.
-
First
Prime
Minister
of
Ghana:
Nkrumah
led
Ghana
(formerly
the
Gold
Coast)
to
independence
in
1957
and
became
its
inaugural
prime
minister.
-
Expansion
of
the
Ghana
Army
and
Establishment
of
the
Ghana
Navy
and
Ghana
Air
Force:
Nkrumah
expanded
the
Ghana
Army,
establishing
new
Army
units,
the
Ghana
Navy,
the
Tema
Naval
Base,
and
the
Ghana
Air
Force.
He
constructed
new
barracks
to
accommodate
the
personnel
and
built
the
Ghana
Military
Academy
(GMA)
to
produce,
maintain,
and
augment
a
new
generation
of
the
Officer
Corps. -
Infrastructure
Development:
From
1957
to
1966,
he
built
new
roads,
schools,
health
facilities,
and
the
massive
Volta
River
dam,
which
generated
electricity
for
the
entire
country.
Akufo-Addo
at
the
International
Stage
While
Akufo-Addo
has
made
a
mark
on
both
domestic
and
international
stages,
his
pan-African
credentials
pale
insignificantly
compared
to
Kwame
Nkrumah’s.
It
is
also
fair
to
argue
that,
while
Akufo-Addo
has
his
own
achievements,
Ghana’s
historical
significance—shaped
mainly
by
Nkrumah—undoubtedly
amplifies
his
voice
on
the
global
stage,
like
other
presidents
before
him.
However,
it
would
be
an
oversimplification
to
say
he
derives
all
his
significance
from
Ghana’s
past.
His
challenge
has
been
to
build
upon
this
legacy
while
addressing
contemporary
issues
facing
Ghana,
West
Africa
and
Africa.
Within
the
Economic
Community
of
West
African
States
(ECOWAS),
he
has
not
been
as
balanced
as
expected
in
upholding
the
core
values
and
principles
of
good
governance,
democratic
accountability
and
unconstitutional
government
changes.
As
a
two-term
ECOWAS
chair
(September
2020
until
July
2022),
he
missed
a
rare
opportunity
to
re-invigorate
ECOWAS’
stalled
process
to
review
the
Protocols
on
Democracy
and
Good
Governance
and
address
the
sub-region’s
coup
and
security
challenges—Niger
(attempted,
March
2021),
Mali
(May
and
August
2021),
Guinea
(September
2021),
Guinea-Bissau
(attempted,
February
2022),
and
Burkina
Faso
(January
and
September
2022).
The
failures
and
challenges
posed
by
these
events
remain
significant
for
the
entire
West
African
region,
arguably
contributing
to
ECOWAS’
deepening
and
widening
rupture
since
January
2024
when
the
Alliance
of
Sahel
States
(AES)—
Mali,
Burkina
Faso
and
Niger—decided
to
leave
the
bloc.
Akufo-Addo
at
the
National
Stage
Akufo-Addo
once
championed
free
speech
and
the
rule
of
law,
but
he
has
faced
criticism
during
his
tenure
as
Ghana’s
president.
He
gained
prominence
in
the
1990s
by
leading
protests
against
a
tax
increase.
His
advocacy
for
people’s
rights
and
free
speech
positioned
him
as
an
ally
of
democratic
values.
However,
as
president,
he
has
been
accused
of
suppressing
protests,
sometimes
violently.
Law
students,
activists,
and
opposition
politicians
have
faced
police
force
and
court
injunctions
under
his
administration.
Ghana
is
now
grappling
with
an
economic
downturn
and
high
taxes.
Citizens,
once
his
allies,
are
now
protesting
against
him,
calling
his
tenure
a
“disguised
dictatorship.”
Akufo-Addo’s
legacy
is
uncertain.
While
he
once
fought
for
democratic
ideals,
his
actions
in
office
have
raised
concerns
about
civil
liberties
and
dissent.
Domestically,
Akufo-Addo
has
touted
the
following
developmental
projects:
-
Agenda
111
Project:
This
aims
to
construct
over
100
health
facilities,
including
regional
and
psychiatric
hospitals.
While
he
has
reaffirmed
his
commitment
to
completing
the
“Agenda
111”
Hospital
Project,
86
district
hospitals,
two
regional
psychiatric
hospitals,
and
one
western
regional
hospital
are
under
construction.
With
an
estimated
cost
for
this
comprehensive
healthcare
infrastructure
project
at
$1.765
billion,
the
average
overall
completion
rate
of
89
ongoing
projects
is
52%.
Since
2017,
the
government
has
restored
nursing
trainee
allowances,
recruited
a
record
number
of
healthcare
workers,
and
equipped
the
Ghana
Ambulance
Service
with
307
ambulances.
-
Electricity
Production:
Although
Akufo-Addo
has
contributed
to
Ghana’s
energy
generation
capacity,
his
contribution
is
lower
than
that
of
Nkrumah.
His
administration
has
seen
a
decline
in
Ghana’s
oil
production.
-
Universities/Tertiary
Education
Institutions:
Akufo-Addo
established
the
University
of
Environment
and
Sustainable
Development
(UESD)
and
turned
two
University
of
Development
Studies
campuses,
including
Somanya,
into
autonomous
universities.
Akufo-Addo
has
also
made
significant
strides
in
the
education
sector,
such
as
the
free
SHS
policy,
the
restoration
of
teacher
and
nursing
trainees’
allowances,
and
the
one–teacher–one–
laptop
policy,
among
others.
The
performance
tracker,
which
showcases
the
various
infrastructural
projects
executed
under
the
Akufo-Addo
government
since
2017,
has
received
mixed
comments
on
the
authenticity
of
the
over
13,000
listed
projects.
Although
Akufo-Addo’s
investments
across
various
facets
of
the
educational
system
are
expected
to
benefit
educators
and
students,
genuine
questions
remain
about
the
degree
of
delivery
and
implementation
and
the
quality
and
efficient
management
of
several
projects,
including
infrastructure,
books,
teaching
and
learning
materials,
full
payment
of
allowances
and
redemption
of
promises.
Towards
a
More
Qualitative
Comparison
In
all
fairness,
while
transformative,
Nkrumah’s
ambitious
development
projects
also
contributed
to
substantial
foreign
debt.
While
exact
comparative
ratios
between
Nkrumah
and
Akufo-Addo
are
challenging
due
to
data
availability,
it’s
essential
to
recognise
that
both
leaders
faced
unique
economic
contexts
and
challenges.
Further,
comparing
the
external
debts
of
Nkrumah’s
and
Akufo-Addo’s
eras
is
challenging
due
to
several
factors,
such
as
different
periods
with
a
vastly
changed
global
economic
landscape,
population
growth,
and
changed
currency
and
inflation
contexts.
Empirically,
however,
it
is
remarkable
how
Nkrumah’s
development
plan
exhibited
sound
strategic
planning
and
synergies
across
a
broader
spectrum
of
industrial
sectors,
with
an
enduring
impact
and
appeal.
On
the
contrary,
much
of
what
Akufo-Addo
has
claimed
to
roll
out
is
aimed
more
at
vote-winning
than
sustainable
national
development.
Moreover,
it
is
generally
acknowledged
that
Ghana’s
debt
has
increased
substantially
in
recent
years
during
Akufo-Addo’s
tenure.
When
Nkrumah’s
government
was
overthrown
in
a
military
coup
in
1966,
Ghana’s
external
debt
was
estimated
to
be
around
£238
million
(in
1966
pounds
sterling).
Adjusting
this
amount
for
inflation
would
be
roughly
equivalent
to
£4.4
billion
in
2022,
or
approximately
$5.3
billion.
Given
that
Ghana’s
current
external
debt
stands
at
around
$28.4
billion,
it
is
evident
that
the
country’s
external
debt
under
Akufo-Addo’s
administration
is
significantly
higher
than
it
was
during
Nkrumah’s
time,
even
after
accounting
for
inflation.
The
exact
ratio
is,
however,
difficult
to
calculate
precisely
due
to
the
factors
mentioned
above.
Conclusion
Finally,
while
both
leaders
have
made
significant
contributions,
Dr
Kwame
Nkrumah’s
vision,
leadership,
and
impact,
globally
and
nationally,
remain
unmatched
in
Ghana’s
history.
In
reality,
Nkrumah’s
legacy
extends
beyond
Ghana.
He
inspired
independence
movements
across
Africa
and
symbolised
Pan-Africanism
and
progress.
The
same
cannot
be
said
of
Akufo-Addo.
Any
attempt
to
compare
him
with
Nana
Akufo-Addo
was
illogical,
ill-advised,
and
misguided.
Between
the
two
of
them,
Nkrumah’s
legacies
continue
to
shape
Ghana’s
trajectory
and
resonate
globally.
Read
full
article
on
Kwame
Nkrumah
here.
By
Col
Festus
Aboagye