In March 2007 people from all corners of the globe trooped to Ghana to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of her independence. Fifty years since Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah fought hard against opposition from within the country to realise the dream that we Ghanaians and Africans in general should be responsible for our own affairs without outside influence.

How ironic that the celebrations in 2007 were led by a president who descended from a political class and ideology that opposed most of what Osagyefo stood for. President Kuffuor and the NPP spent millions of dollars on independent celebrations, the terms of which their political tradition opposed fifty or so years back. None of the money spent went on employment creation, education, or health program as a lasting legacy of the independent celebrations for all to see and admire, instead what we saw was a fleet of luxury cars, most of which disappeared after the celebrations had ended. They knew what they were doing and planned it well.

September 2009 is seeing another celebration centred on the independence of Ghana. This time we are commemorating the centenary anniversary of the man whose hard work, vision, dedication, intelligence, selflessness and zeal achieved independence for us back in March 1957. The celebrations this time are led by President Mills, who not many people know what he or his NDC party stands for. Just as in March 2007 we are witnessing amazing celebrations and very well organised activities which are all good. What the government is failing to provide is a lasting legacy in the area of development or essential service as part of this commemoration.

The NPP we all know are against most things Nkrumah stood for. The NDC only pay lip service to Nkrumah’s ideology, however, only they know what they stand for in reality. For those of us who share Nkrumah’s dreams and aspirations, a ‘golden jubilee hospital’, ‘a centenary vocational college’ or rehabilitation of some of the industries built by Osagyefo but now lying in derelict we feel would have been befitting memorials to the great man of our beloved country and continent. While we commemorate the centenary of our great leader, we should also remember what he really stood for by working towards social justice, reviving our industries and attaining our economic independence. As both NPP and NDC have failed to achieve these over the years, we urge all who share Nkrumah’s dreams to join with us to fight to achieve these as lasting legacies in his memory.

When the music stops, after the spectacular fireworks are over, when the party comes to an end and our people go to their various homes the morning after the night before, still hungry, jobless, desperate, insecure and our leaders still travel the world with their begging bowls, one would ask ‘what is the meaning of all these celebrations? I can only imagine that if Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah were alive today, his remarks would be; ‘All these celebrations are meaningless unless they are linked to total development and poverty alleviation in our beloved Ghana’. Long live Nkrumah’s dreams and ideals and God bless our homeland Ghana.