Nkrumah: The True Founder of Ghana and the Betrayal of His Legacy

How Greed, Distortion, and Political Opportunism Have Buried Nkrumah’s Industrial Dream

Even beyond the borders of Ghana, it is an established historical fact that Dr Kwame Nkrumah is the true founder of modern Ghana. Yet, in recent years, attempts have been made by some individuals and political groups to embellish or distort this reality to serve their narrow and propagandistic interests. While it is important to acknowledge that other nationalist figures made valuable contributions to Ghana’s liberation struggle, the overarching vision, leadership, and execution of the independence agenda were driven by Nkrumah’s unmatched political foresight and courage.

Unfortunately, a subtle yet persistent campaign has been waged to erode his memory and diminish his accomplishments. In educational materials, political rhetoric, and even official state narratives, there are deliberate efforts to downplay his role in nation-building. However, such attempts have largely failed because historical truth cannot be permanently buried. Across Africa and the world, Nkrumah remains a towering symbol of anti-colonial resistance, Pan-African unity, and visionary leadership.

Dr Nkrumah’s ambition for Ghana extended far beyond political independence. He sought to build an economically self-reliant and industrialised nation. To that end, his government established numerous state enterprises and factories such as the Bonsa Tyre Factory, the Komenda Sugar Factory, the Jute Factory, the Tema Steel Works, and many others. His vision was to ensure that Ghana would no longer depend solely on the export of raw materials but would add value through industrial production.

Regrettably, the years following his overthrow witnessed the systematic dismantling of these initiatives. Many of the factories and industrial projects that could have propelled Ghana into an era of sustained economic independence were either abandoned, deliberately collapsed, or sold off under questionable circumstances. Greed, mismanagement, and political opportunism replaced the collective national vision that once united the country. What Nkrumah built with foresight and sacrifice was destroyed by short-term self-interest.

If those factories and industries were still alive and running today, the rate of youth unemployment would not have reached the alarming level it has. But what do we hear politicians say now? They introduce temporary “youth employment” schemes that neither pay well nor offer any lasting security. What is even more pathetic is the irony that the very factories and industries we allowed to go to waste are now being promised again — under the slogan of “one district, one factory.” That story, however, has turned out to be nothing more than a political mirage.

Equally disappointing is the current state of the Convention People’s Party (CPP), the very political organisation that Nkrumah founded to champion the cause of the ordinary Ghanaian. Today, the CPP bears little resemblance to the dynamic and ideologically grounded movement that once mobilised millions in the fight for freedom. Internal divisions, weak leadership, and a pervasive culture of self-interest have crippled the party’s ability to reclaim its rightful place in Ghana’s political landscape.

It is particularly troubling that the CPP, which should serve as a moral and ideological alternative to the dominant political parties, has allowed itself to be influenced by external interests. When a political party accepts incentives or “goodies” from rival parties it intends to contest against, it undermines its credibility and independence. To draw a military analogy, can one general arm another and still expect to triumph in the same battle? Such compromises betray the principles of political integrity and ideological conviction that Nkrumah so firmly upheld.

Ghana’s entrapment in a two-party political system has further compounded these challenges. The dominance of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has reduced governance to a cycle of alternation rather than transformation. Both parties operate with the implicit assurance that political power will rotate between them, fostering complacency and weakening accountability. This dynamic has made the fight against corruption exceedingly difficult, as each party anticipates its eventual return to power and thus refrains from pursuing genuine reforms.

The result is a nation rich in potential yet stagnant in progress — a Ghana that has drifted far from Nkrumah’s vision of self-sufficiency, industrial advancement, and social justice. To restore that vision, there must be a conscious effort to rekindle the spirit of patriotism, discipline, and selflessness that guided Nkrumah’s leadership.

As Ghana marks over six decades of independence, it is imperative to confront the uncomfortable truth: the decline of Nkrumah’s legacy mirrors the moral and ideological decay of our politics. Until we return to the values of integrity, national unity, and purposeful leadership that defined Nkrumah’s era, Ghana will continue to move in circles, repeating mistakes instead of rewriting its destiny.

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