Dr Sam Jonah, Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast (UCC), has asked Ghanaians to be inspired by the confidence of Ghana’s founding father, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, to work hard for the country’s socio-economic development.
He reminded all the people to imbibe the tenets of endurance, Pan-Africanism, democracy, rule of law, freedom, and justice that were the ideals and principles of Dr Nkrumah.
Dr Jonah gave the advice when he opened a two-day 13th Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Lectures at the UCC, in Cape Coast, on Thursday, in honour of Dr Nkrumah, held on the theme: ‘Diaspora, Pan-Africanism, and spiritual awakening: Nkrumah’s years abroad and as Head of State.’
It offered an opportunity for participants to reflect on Dr Nkruma’s profound contributions and ideas and their enduring relevance to the current situation.
Dr Jonah said the programme presented opportunities for all to contemplate on how Dr Nkrumah’s vision could be leveraged in addressing the many challenges that continued to plague the African continent.
The Chancellor of the UCC said what made Dr Nkrumah exceptional was not only his historical significance, “but also the enduring relevance of his ideas and insights. He foresaw and wrote extensively about the multifaceted challenges that Africa faces today, encompassing political, social, and economic dimensions.”
Dr Jonah noted that Ghana’s first President had the ability to articulate challenges with clarity and proposed solutions, which underscored his status as “a pre-eminent thinker and doer.”
Dr Jonah said Dr Nkrumah’s leadership frontiers had been recognised globally, making him the greatest leader in the post-colonial era, for his pivotal role in the emancipation of Africa from colonial rule.
That feat, the Chancellor stated, reverberated through the annals of history, making him (Dr Nkrumah) a visionary, whose ideas and leadership transcended his time, leaving an indelible mark on the course of history.
“Dr Nkrumah’s unwavering commitment to serving the interests of the common man remains a guiding light for our leaders today. His ideas continue to shape the aspirations of leaders and citizens striving for a better future in Africa and indeed the world at large,” Dr Jonah said.
The Chancellor said Dr Nkrumah’s achievements regarding Ghana’s independence struggles and his broader pan-African vision, were nothing short of legendary.
According to Dr Jonah, nationalists’ politics was dangerous, making several of the first generation of independent Africa’s leaders leaving prison to government house.
He said “many of such leaders saw it as a “calling” and this noble sense of vocation was not surprising because many were products of missionary education.”
