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Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah remembered 50 years after his death (Part One)
“As far as I am concerned, I am happy in the knowledge that death can never extinguish the torch which I have lit in Ghana and Africa. Long after I am dead and gone, the light will continue to burn and be borne aloft giving light and guidance to all people”. – Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah.
Wednesday, 27th April, 2022 marked the 50th Anniversary of the death of indefatigable Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana’s First President, a Nationalist, a Great Pan Africanist, an intellectual icon with a unique sense of responsibility, a man of vision and foresight, a veritable pillar of truth and moral principles, brave, talented, illustrious and sagacious.
A man of invigorate integrity his personality was vibrant encompassing simplicity and frankness of thought. The purpose of this article is to eulogise this Great Son of Ghana and Africa.
HIS VISIT TO HANOI ON 21ST FEBRUARY, 1966
Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah left the shores of Ghana on a state visit to Hanoi, the Vietnamese capital ostensibly to broker a peace deal to end the American war in Vietnam.
THE 1966 COUP D’ETAT – OPERATION COLD CHOP On 24th February, 1966, the Ghana Police and the Ghana Armed Forces aided and abetted by the sinister forces of imperialism took advantage of his absence from the country and staged a bloody coup that overthrew his government.
The coup was code-named “Operation Cold Chop”, and it was led by Major Emmanuel Kwasi Kotoka.
EXILE, DEATH AND BURIAL
Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah went into exile in Guinea at the invitation of his friend, President Sekon Toure, the President of Guinea who appointed him Honorary Co-President of his country. He stayed in Guinea for six years.
In 1971, felt sick and he was flown to Bucharest, Romania for treatment. He was diagnosed of Prostrate Cancer and on 27th April, 1972, the life of Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, like a candle in the wind, was blown off in this beautiful world.
The Government of Ghana, the National Redemption Council (NRC), under the leadership of Colonel Ignatius Kutu Acheampong engaged in a protracted negotiation for his remains to be flown to Ghana. He was buried in his hometown, Nkroful, in the Western Region on 9th July, 1972.
It is significant to note that the casket that contained his body had this inscription boldly on it. “THE GREAT AFRICAN”, an acknowledgment of the fact that he was truly a Great son of Africa.
RE-BURIAL AT THE MAUSOLEUM
On 1st July, 1992 the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) under the distinguished leadership of Fit.Lt. J.J. Rawlings transferred his remains to The Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum, a tomb which was constructed to honour his memory.
It serves as a Tourist Destination. Many visitors all over the world visit this tomb for excursion and educational purposes. Incidentally, that place was the Polo Ground where he declared Ghana’s independence from Great Britain on 6th March, 1957 – “At long last the battle has ended and thus Ghana your beloved country is free forever.”
So ended the life of a man who was imbued with the spirit of patriotism and nationalism, a man whose unbridled passion for the socio-economic development of his country was his priority. A philosopher par excellence, an astute political and social thinker, an avid reader, a prolific writer, an unswerving and irrepressible upholder of the principle of truth, social and ethical justice.
Even when he embarked upon his journey to the undiscovered world of mystery through whose sojourn no man returns, he had achieved the enviable record and unequalled distinction of being the first in the entire black world who with indomitable will and iron determination fought doggedly with a bull-dog tenacity of purpose to lead his country to free itself from the shackles of colonialism and imperialism.
NKRUMAH’s FAMOUS POLITICAL DICTUM
Dr. Osagyefo Kwame Nkrumah’s political dictum, “The independence of Ghana is meaningless unless it is linked up with the total liberation of the African continent” was significant in the political history of Ghana and Africa.
Through his personal involvement and absolute commitment to the African liberation struggle, his charm and charisma, organisational acumen, razor-sharp intellect and quintessential display of oratorical excellence he demonstrated a superior combination of effective, dynamic and inspirational leadership which set in motion a hurricane of nationalism which was described by Harold Macmillan then Prime Minister of the United Kingdom as “the wind of change blowing through the continent of Africa”, a nationalism which guided the entire colonial world to gain their own sovereign independence from their colonial masters thus ending the invidious colonial oppression.
After Ghana gained independence in 1957, Guinea followed and gained its independence in 1958. Through his persistent and consistent fight for the emancipation of the African continent, in 1960, 17 more colonies in Africa including Nigeria, and nearly all the French African colonies became sovereign independent nations.
Within four years after independence of his rule, 32 African States which were under the colonial yoke gained their independence. Thus, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah’s influence became the political anodyne which healed the colonial wound – oppression, suppression and servitude – a colonial system that had done an incalculable harm to the African Continent.
In fact, it is very important to note that Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah’s political umbilical cord was inextricably linked to the total liberation of Africa and the political unification of the African Continent. Addressing the United Nation’s General Assembly in New York on 23rd September, 1960, he said, “As long as a single foot of African soil remains under foreign domination the world shall know no peace”. …to be continued
The writer is a Former Regional Director,
Ghana National Service Scheme, Takoradi.
By Ken Gyenfi
Having initiated programs to ensure a foundation of morality, the next step is to have a picture of what success looks like. I keep saying that if you do not have a destination in mind when travelling, you can never arrive.
We therefore as a people, need to set up a development plan which all parties shall ascribe to so that no matter which party is in government, the execution of the plan will not be derailed.
This is the only way that we can make a headway in our developmental agenda. Once we have a plan we are following, it becomes a guiding tool to arrive at the destination we have set for ourselves. It becomes a project that given the necessary key milestones, will help us in monitoring progress.
The next step is to focus on pillars of development i.e. education, health, agriculture and the economy.
The common characteristic of developed countries is the level of education of its citizens.
A highly educated population provides readily available human resource for industrial growth.
A highly qualified population has the potential to innovate, creating value added products for export.
A healthy population is necessary for development. Proactive measures that can prevent epidemics for instance, must be put in place to ensure a healthy populace.
This would require a deliberate investment in health infrastructure as well as training of professionals in the health sector.
Food must be available and must also be affordable and there policies that can ensure the achievement of this objective must be vigorously pursued.
Agro-processing must be prioritised if not completely eliminate post harvest losses and also provide goods for export as part of the effort to stabilize currency.
The power of a nation depends largely on its economic growth. The reason why countries like the US and China wield a lot of influence in the world is because of their wealth.
The way out of poverty as a country, is to industrialise. We need to focus on deliberate effort to promote indigenous control over our natural resources so as to reduce repatriation of huge foreign currency out of the country.
Such initiatives will provide or make available funds for entrepreneurs to access for industrialisation. If we do not prioritise industrialisation, we will permanently not enjoy real independence as a nation because we will have to depend on them to assist in funds for our budget deficit.
Whoever controls how you run your budget literary controls you and therefore the countries who provide budgetary support, controls us. We need to get out of this situation so we can be truly.
The industrialisation cannot be established without companying infrastructure and therefore infrastructure development must be taken seriously into account.
Local expertise must be sought in the infrastructural development. The use of local expertise will help create jobs for the teeming youth the universities churn out every year.
I hope to complete this series next weekend. God bless.
NB: ‘CHANGE KOTOKA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TO KOFI BAAKO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT’
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AS the world becomes increasingly complex, the role of a president has become more demanding than ever.
The pressure to make life-altering decisions, manage crises, and maintain a sense of calm and composure can take a toll on a president’s mental health.
In recent years, innovative approaches like emotional surgery and emotional elysium have gained attention for their potential to support leaders in managing stress and promoting emotional well-being.
Understanding emotional surgery
Emotional surgery is a groundbreaking approach that utilises art to promote relaxation and reduce stress.
This technique involves the use of colors, geometric shapes, and abstract objects to communicate with the brain and induce a state of calmness.
By leveraging the brain’s ability to process visual information, emotional surgery can help individuals manage anxiety and stress, promoting a sense of calmness and well-being.
The benefits of emotional elysium
Emotional elysium refers to practices that promote emotional well-being and resilience.
This approach focuses on cultivating positive emotions such as gratitude, compassion, and love, to improve overall well-being.
For presidents, emotional elysium can be particularly beneficial in managing the stresses of office and promoting emotional balance.
By incorporating emotional elysium practices into their daily routine, presidents can improve their emotional regulation, increase their resilience, and enhance their overall well-being.
The impact on presidential performance
Both emotional surgery and emotional elysium have the potential to significantly impact a president’s performance.
By managing stress and promoting emotional well-being, presidents can:
- Improve decision-making: Emotional surgery and emotional elysium help presidents make more informed, rational decisions, rather than reacting impulsively to stress or emotions.
- Enhance leadership: Leaders who prioritise emotional well-being are better equipped to build strong relationships with their team and the public.
- Increase resilience: Emotional elysium practices, such as mindfulness and meditation, build resilience, enabling presidents to cope better with challenges and setbacks.
Prof. Agyeman Badu Akosa’s endorsement
Prof. Agyeman Badu Akosa, a respected figure in the medical field, has endorsed emotional surgery as a valuable tool for promoting relaxation and reducing stress.
According to him, emotional surgery can reduce anxiety, improve emotional regulation, and enhance overall well-being.
Conclusion
In conclusion, emotional surgery and emotional elysium are two innovative approaches that have the potential to significantly impact a president’s performance.
By prioritising emotional well-being and exploring these approaches, presidents can improve decision-making, enhance leadership, and increase resilience.
As global challenges become more complex, it is essential for presidents to safeguard their mental health — and these techniques offer a promising solution.
Recommendations
- Presidents should prioritise their emotional well-being: Recognising the importance of emotional balance allows leaders to manage stress effectively.
- Emotional surgery and emotional elysium should be considered: These approaches may offer promising solutions for high-end executives whose emotional well-being affects their performance.
By embracing emotional well-being and exploring innovative interventions, presidents can optimise performance, build stronger relationships, and promote overall well-being.
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