By King Amoah
In the heart of Kumasi, an 80-year-old citizen named Opanin Yaw Premoeh passionately reminisced about Ghana’s first president, Dr. Osagyefo Kwame Nkrumah, expressing deep sorrow over the current state of the nation’s economy.
As Ghana grapples with ongoing economic challenges, many, like Premoeh, believe that if Nkrumah were alive today, he would “curse his birthday,” disillusioned by the betrayal of the ideals for which he fought.
Speaking to the correspondent, Premoeh said Nkrumah, who led Ghana to independence in 1957, was an ardent advocate for self-determination, social justice, and economic empowerment.
He narrated that his vision for a prosperous and united Ghana was based on principles of equity and transparency.
However, Premoeh argues, that vision has been corrupted by what he refers to as “modern crooks” who exploit democratic processes for personal gains, cheating their fellow citizens in the process.
“Dr. Nkrumah toiled to build a nation for us, but what do we have today?” Premoeh lamented. His words echo a sentiment felt by many Ghanaians who see a stark contrast between Nkrumah’s ambitious vision and the reality of corruption, mismanagement, and economic decline.
“He would be heartbroken to see how those in power use democracy as a tool for manipulation,” he added, articulating a widespread sentiment among the elderly who witnessed Ghana’s post-independence evolution.
The democracy that many once celebrated as a beacon of hope has, in the eyes of some citizens, become a mechanism through which leaders prioritize personal interests over national.
Adding ,the struggles of everyday Ghanaians stand in stark contrast to the dreams of a united, prosperous nation envisaged by Nkrumah, who sought to lift his people out of poverty and ensure fair access to education, healthcare, and infrastructure.
In remembering Nkrumah, Ghanaians are reminded of the power they hold to shape their destiny—a sentiment that can lead to a renewed commitment to justice, equity, and collective progress for all.
