Nana Yaa Jantuah calls for renewed commitment to Nkrumah’s vision

Nana Yaa Jantuah, a senior official in the Ghanaian government, has urged renewed dedication to the principles of Ghana's first President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah. Speaking at a commemorative event in Accra, Ms Jantuah emphasized the importance of Dr Nkrumah's vision for economic independence and Pan-African unity. She reminded the audience that Dr Nkrumah's vision extended beyond mere political freedom, asserting that Ghana's true independence could only be realized through the liberation of the entire African continent.

The Presidential Staffer highlighted several key aspects of Dr Nkrumah's legacy, including his industrialization plans and infrastructure development projects. She pointed to the Akosombo Dam as a prime example of his efforts to secure reliable electricity for industrial growth, along with other factories like the Kumasi Pencil Factory and meat-processing facilities. Ms Jantuah argued that Dr Nkrumah's approach aimed to create jobs and ensure that economic development was interconnected with various sectors of the economy.

Building on Dr Nkrumah's vision, Ms Jantuah proposed that Ghana should develop a long-term national economic development plan that remains stable despite changes in government. She stressed that instead of political parties introducing separate manifestos each election cycle, a unified national agenda should be pursued. This plan, she argued, would serve the interests of all Ghanaians, not just a specific political party.

Ms Jantuah also connected the current administration of President John Dramani Mahama to Dr Nkrumah's development philosophy, citing investments in infrastructure, healthcare, and education. Additionally, she addressed the critical issue of reparations for Africans and people of African descent, highlighting how historical exploitation through slavery and colonialism has left a lasting economic injustice. She called on the government to take steps towards redressing these historical wrongs.

Dr Dee Otibu-Asare, the Executive Director of the West Africa International Press Limited, called on the government to intensify efforts to preserve and promote Dr Nkrumah's legacy. He suggested reviving state farms, implementing a modified version of the Ghana Young Pioneers program, and restoring Dr Nkrumah's portrait on Ghana's currency.

The West Africa Press organization has been actively working to keep Dr Nkrumah's ideas alive since 2000, organizing conferences and publishing special editions dedicated to his contributions.

Professor Samuel Aniegye Ntewusu, Director of the Institute of African Studies at the University of Ghana, encouraged Ghanaians to draw on Dr Nkrumah's legacy to build both their country and the broader African continent. The event concluded with certificates and plaques being awarded to several Ghanaian leaders who have contributed to national development.

Additionally, the program marked the launch of a new book titled "Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah: 20 Questions and Answers," compiled by the Nkrumah Vision Alive Movement, which explores the philosophy and ideology of Ghana's first President.