Opinions of Thursday, 7 October 2010

Columnist: Adjei, Gideon

Nkrumah and tribal politicians

I have observed that, most of the polemics against the first President Kwame Nkrumah come from some Ghanaians who are deep rooted in their tribal identity and essence. Those people want to project their tribes and politicians who bear their tribal identities. Thus tribal politicians see Nkrumah universalism as something against their tribal ethos. Most of the political parties at Nkrumah time were founded on tribal lines. There were UGCC-Akim Abuakwa, Asante NLM, Northern people’s party (not present day NPP) and Ewe party. All the above mentioned political parties promoted tribal essence BUT NKRUMAH CPP HAD GHANA, AFRICA AND UNIVERSALISM AT THE CENTER OF THE PARTY PHILOSOPHY.

The writers of the books, “Politico-Culture of Nkrumah” and “Religion and Politics of Nkrumah” among other things mentioned how some of the pre-independence tribal over lords tried to use the available political parties to achieve their lost empires. Nkrumah emerged as the FATHER AND PROTECTOR of the weak tribes against the bully tribes.

Readers must know that, MOST OF THE TRIBES TODAY ARE NOT BIOLOGICAL PROJECTION RATHER A PRODUCT OF 18TH CENTURY WARS AND CONFLICTS THAT EMERGED FROM EUROPEANS COMMERCIAL PRESENCE.
Hence people from Aduana clan can find their biological relatives, in Benin Republic, Togo, Volta Region, Greater Accra, Eastern region,B/A,Ashanti,Western,Central and most part of Ghana. My point is that, Ghana is a product of one sociological family and the whole country is interconnected.
Nkrumah is epitome of a true Ghanaian. Apart from his pan-Africanism, Nkrumah saw Nzima, Wassa, Brong/Ahafo, Anona or Agona, Asona, Gonja,Kusasssi,Dagomba,Krobo and many others in his identity.Nkrumah was strongly against tribal politics and strongly united Ghana on national essence and not tribe. Thus, true Ghanaians love Nkrumah and on the other hand tribal Ghanaians always speak bad things against Nkrumah.
The writer of the “politico culture of Nkrumah” stated that, there was mutual need between Nkrumah and Asantehene Nana Prempeh 11.Nkrumah needs Nana Prempeh 11 for peace and development in Ghana and Nana Prempeh needs Nkrumah for development in Ashanti region. The writer among other things stated that, “when Nkrumah heard that Nana Prempeh was admitted in Kumasi private hospital, Nkrumah came to Kumasi to see Nana Prempeh .Nkrumah after visit, rushed Nana to Accra and later sent Nana Prempeh to England for medical care and all the expenses were paid by the CPP government”.
Noble Ghanaians, I personally have no problem with our past and present political leaders. I feel uncomfortable when I hear voices of strong anti-Nkrumah coming from people like Okoampa and Gabby Otchere Darko. I love all Ghanaians but it seems these two men Gabby and Okoampa are too much. I like Akuffo Addo for his neutral position and sometimes admiring Nkrumah.
Gabby and Okoampa should know that the lovers of Nkrumah outnumber his enemies in Ghana and beyond. In Ashanti there are men like Dr.Agyeman Badu Akosa, Juantua, and Danso Etc. Eastern region Felix Amoah and many people, B/A- Asuma Banda, Boakye Djan, Western, Central, Upper West, Upper East, Volta region, Greater Accra are thousands of lovers of Nkrumah. It seems Gabby and Okoampa are wasting their energies. The more you attack Nkrumah the more people increase their love for Nkrumah.


Gideon Adjei