The legacy of Ghana’s first President, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, has become a topic of public debate following a recent statement by Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, the vice-presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

Dr. Prempeh asserted that the current Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo government is the best in Ghana’s history, surpassing even Nkrumah’s administration. Many have interpreted this claim as an insult to Nkrumah, who is credited with helping Ghana achieve independence.

This article examines the major achievements of Ghana’s first president in comparison to the accomplishments of the presidents of the 4th Republic.

Major Hospitals Established

Nkrumah:

Built Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital.

Expanded the 37 Military Hospital and opened it to the public.

Upgraded Korle-Bu to Teaching Hospital status, among other health facilities.
4th Republic Presidents:

JJ Rawlings:

Constructed regional hospitals at Cape Coast, Ho, and Sunyani.

Modern district hospitals in various district capitals.

Started the Expansion Project and the Renovation of the 37 Military Hospital.

Kufuor:

Built a state-of-the-art emergency center at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital.

Started the 'Ghana Hospital Project,' which included a Military Hospital, two Regional Hospitals, and six District Hospitals, such as the Upper West Regional Hospital in Wa.



Atta Mills/Mahama:

Completed University of Ghana Medical Centre, expanded Greater-Accra Regional Hospital, Ridge, and built Bank of Ghana Hospital.

Began several health facilities, including Ashanti Regional Hospital, Sewua, Upper East Regional Hospital, Bolga, and Kumasi Military Hospital, Afare.

Akufo-Addo:

Expanded many existing health facilities and completed hospitals under the 'Ghana Hospital Project.'

Launched the Agenda 111 Project to construct over 100 health facilities, including 7 regional hospitals and psychiatric hospitals.

Universities/Tertiary Education Institutions Established

Nkrumah:

Founded University of Cape Coast, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, University of Ghana, and more.

Set up 16 teacher training colleges and Ghana National College in Cape Coast.



4th Republic Presidents:

JJ Rawlings:

Established University for Development Studies and upgraded Winneba Advanced Teacher Training College into University of Education, Winneba.

Allowed private tertiary institutions to supplement public universities.

Kufuor:

Upgraded existing educational institutions to university status, including University of Mines and Technology, Ghana Maritime University College, and Telecom University College.

Atta Mills/Mahama:

Established University of Energy and Natural Resources, University of Health and Allied Sciences, and University of Environment and Sustainable Development.

Transformed polytechnics into technical universities and started Community Day Senior High Schools.

Akufo-Addo:

Commissioned the University of Environment and Sustainable Development.

Made two campuses of University of Development Studies into autonomous universities.

Contribution to Ghana’s Electricity Production

Nkrumah:

Established the Akosombo Dam, providing nearly a quarter of Ghana's electricity needs (1020 MW).

Initiated the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission and the Ghana Nuclear Reactor Project.


The Akosombo Dam

4th Republic Presidents:

JJ Rawlings:

Implemented the national electrification scheme, expanding electricity to previously neglected areas, increasing access from 10% to over 50%.

Kufuor:

Established the Bui Dam, adding 400 MW to Ghana’s energy mix.

Atta Mills/Mahama:

Completed the Bui Power Plant and introduced the 450 MW Karpowership and 250 MW Ameri plant.
Built the Natural Gas Processing plant at Atuabo.

Akufo-Addo:

Contributed to energy generation with the 15 MW Kaleo Power Plant and 55 MW Bui Solar.
State-Owned Factories Established

Nkrumah:

Established numerous state-owned manufacturing companies, including Abosso Glass Factory, Akosombo Textiles Limited, Asutuare Sugar Factory, and more.



4th Republic Presidents:

JJ Rawlings:

No record of new state-owned companies; focused on privatization and established the Ghana Free Zones Authority.

Kufuor:

No record of new state-owned companies.

Atta Mills/Mahama:

No record of new state-owned companies but encouraged private sector establishment.

Akufo-Addo:

No new state-owned factories but facilitated over 100 private companies under the One District, One Factory initiative.

Social Intervention Policies

Nkrumah:

Established Ghana Education Trust, free basic education program, and several scholarships for students, including the Northern Scholarship Scheme.

4th Republic Presidents:

JJ Rawlings:

Established the Ghana Educational Trust Fund (GET Fund), District Assemblies’ Common Fund, Road Fund, EDIF, and Energy Fund.

Piloted the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

Kufuor:

Implemented NHIS, Microfinance and Small Loans Programme (MASLOC), Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty Programme (LEAP), capitation grant system, and Ghana School Feeding Programme.

Atta Mills/Mahama:

Enhanced NHIS, provided free school uniforms and textbooks for public school students.
Akufo-Addo:

Implemented Free Senior High School (Free SHS) policy and established the Zongo Development Fund.
Other Notable Projects

Nkrumah:

Nkrumah Established the Bank of Ghana, Ghana Commercial Bank, National Investment Bank, Ghana Black Star Line, and various infrastructure projects, including Tema Township and Tema Motorway.
4th Republic Presidents:

JJ Rawlings:

Rawling constructed housing estates, urban road projects, and memorials for Kwame Nkrumah and W.E.B. DuBois.

Absorbed Ghanaians expelled from Nigeria in 1983.

Kufuor:

Constructed Jubilee House, Bui Dam & Bui City Project, and Kofi Annan Centre for Excellence.

Atta Mills/Mahama:

Built Kwame Nkrumah Interchange, Kasoa overhead bridge, and abolished the shift system in government basic schools.

Undertook the Tema Motorway Roundabout decongestion project, Pokuase Interchange, and Motorway expansion project.

Akufo-Addo:

Redeveloped Appiatse Community, introduced Mobile Money Interoperability, and used drones for medical supplies delivery.

BAI/OGB

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Ghana’s leading digital news platform, GhanaWeb, in conjunction with the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, is embarking on an aggressive campaign which is geared towards ensuring that parliament passes comprehensive legislation to guide organ harvesting, organ donation, and organ transplantation in the country.