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Momodou
Denmark
11824 Posts |
 Posted - 08 Mar 2007 : 13:46:43
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Foroyaa Editorial
Ghana Is Now 50 Years Old
THE LESSONS FOR AFRICA
Ghana was the first sub-Saharan African country which consciously struggled to set aside the colonial yoke. At independence Kwame Nkrumah declared that the independence of Ghana was meaningless unless it was linked to the total liberation of the African continent.
This commitment is what made Kwame Nkrumah to stand shoulder high among the pioneers of National Liberation. Nkrumah was mostly misunderstood in Ghana because of conviction that no African country could become truly liberated and developed without the unification of the continent. Ghana had to be the bridgehead towards continental liberation.
Consequently, all liberation movements began to send their militants to Ghana to study different fields and prepare themselves to go back home to contribute to the liberation of the other countries.
One may now ask: What was the situation of Ghana before independence? How did it thrive after independence? What happened after the coup d'etat of 1966? What lessons should those in the present learn from the past?
The independence of Ghana on 6th March 1957 was preceded by the aftermath of the Second World War. Ghana was the nerve centre of the British Empire in West Africa. Over 70,000 Ghanaians served the colonial armed forces. The military council of West Africa had its headquarters at Archimota College. The colonialists took donations from their Ghanaian subjects and gave interest free loans to themselves from their tax money. The export of cocoa, palm products and rubber increased. The mining of manganese ore and exploitation of bauxite deposits increased.
In October 1945 few months after the end of the war the fifth Pan African Congress was held. Dr. Dubois chaired the meeting and Dr. Nkrumah wrote the Declaration to the colonial workers, peasants and intellectuals. This declaration which calls for the establishment of mass movements against colonialism was adopted by the congress. All the sincere leaders left Manchester with the commitment to return to Africa to work for her liberation.
In Ghana the United Gold Coast Convention emerged in 1947 to pioneer the cause for Independence. Both Dr. Danquah and Mr. Nkrumah were members of the convention. However a split occurred in 1949 when Nkrumah saw the need for mass action against colonial domination and for the total emancipation of the people. This is what gave birth to the Convention People's Party.
The general strike, civil disobedience and boycotts of goods which followed in 1950 led to the imprisonment of Dr. Nkrumah. However, the people of Ghana intensified their struggle under the Convention People's Party. This compelled the colonialists to hold election in February, 1951 leading to the resounding victory of CPP. Nkrumah who was in prison was elected. He was released because of fear of new demonstrations. Peoples' power was asserted. The post of prime minister was created and Kwame occupied it on 5th March 1952. The colonialists did everything to exploit the differences between the various political forces to delay independence. However, the Ghanaian people voted for independence in July 1956.
Consequently, on 6th March, 1957 Ghana was proclaimed Independent.
In April 1960 a referendum was held and the vote in favour of a Republic was 1 million for and 131,000 against. In the election for the presidency Dr. Nkrumah had 1 million plus votes to Dr. Danquah's 124,000 votes. On 1st July, 1960 Ghana became a Republic. Two years after independence Ghana opened its own law school. A state maritime shipping company was established in 1958. Civil Aviation with its own aircrafts followed.
In 1961 alone 2495 new elementary and 374 secondary schools were established. Compulsory and free education was introduced in September 1961. Progress to eradicate illiteracy among adults was arranged. The state University of Ghana was also established in 1961. A second university specialized in technological area was opened in Kumasi. A third university in Cape Coast in 1962.
By 1963 the National Research Council established in 1958 was converted into the Academy of Sciences. Union of musicians, writers, journalists and cultural workers mushroomed. A film industry was established. A committee to work on the written unification of all the ethnic languages was established. The scaring emerging from tribal marks were abolished to unify the Ghanaian people.
Nkrumah's legacy is where he concentrated on the Akasombo Dam and the Volta Aluminium project to prepare for Africa's Industrilisation.
This was further buttressed by preparing the ground for the development of nuclear technology. Nkrumah felt that the unification of Africa will follow the heels of African Independence and Ghana will receive the support it needed from a unified Africa to ease its burden of giving support to the liberation process on the continent. Many attempts were on his life between 1962 and 1964. Finally on 24th February 1966 a coup d'etat occurred. Nkrumah was on his way to mediate in the Vietnamese Crisis. He eventually had to fly to Guinea. Since then Ghana experienced coups and counter coups until the present democratic atmosphere is established. However, the vision of Pan Africanism which motivated Nkrumah to call for a union of government, a continental army or high command, one currency, one central bank, one investment bank is yet to materialize. The lesson is clear. Africa needs to create a new path to development. Since coups have interrupted her progress the real road to development is the creation of sovereign people whose enlightened mind and free will would enable them to select democratic and responsible governments that would enhance liberty and prosperity. Such governments that have no dictatorial tendencies and are committed to the implementation of people centred policies will make it possible for the enlightened and democratic people in all countries to make the unity of the African continent possible. A Democratic and prosperous Africa is on the horizon.
It is the duty of our generation to build it. We owe this to Nkrumah and all those who died to make it a reality.
Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No. 027/2007, 7- 8 March, 2007
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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