The Fame Of Ghana Beyond Overseas

When he was a journalist at Guinea Press, now the Ghanaian Times, during the Nkrumah era, my father Justin N. K. Savage, told me much about Kwame Nkrumah, and his ministers, such as Kojo Botsio and Kofi Baako, etc, during information gathering and the covering of other state activities.

When I became interested in journalism, I wasn't fortunate to see any of Nkrumah's ministers, however, I enjoyed the company of some of my father's colleagues at Guinea press. For example, I met Mr. Kofi Badu, who was the Managing-Director of the Daily Graphic and Mr. Willie Donkor, who became the editor of the Weekly Spectator.

It was in the book 'The Shadow Of The Sun,' by the Polish writer and journalist, Ryszard Kapuscinski, I had much information about Mr. Kofi Baako, the Minister of Education and Information. His office is located on the third floor of the ministry building, according to the book.

Mr. Baako selflessly served his country. According to Kapuscinski, anyone who wants to see Kofi Baako just walks in to see him. If someone has a problem, for example, the Minister of Agriculture, he travels to Accra, to solve the problem. Today, we have a different Ghana. It's not easy to see a minister and often they ignore the problems which the masses face.

"From Warsaw," says the Polish writer.
"You know, I almost went there, I was travelling all over Europe, France, Belgium, England, Yugoslavia. I was in Czechoslovakia, about to go to Poland, when Kwame sent me a telegram, calling me back for the party congress, our ruling Convention People's Party," said Mr. Kofi Baako.

Africa is usually referred to as the dark continent in terms of colour but there is something broader than the term dark which rules the mind or heart of many Ghanaians to give disrespect to the country's former leaders. Many Africans don't cherish their past leaders at all, even after death, some are still treating them with discontent.

"Nkrumah is a saviour," a young man called Joe Yambo, tells the Polish journalist with rapture in his voice. "Have you heard him speak?" He sounds like a prophet."

Apart from the Polish writer's account about the popularity of the ex-Ghanaian leader, there is a clear understanding to reasons, the rule of Nkrumah in Ghana and his activities to protect the entire African continent became Britain and the United States of America's nightmare.

While patriotic Ghanaians see Nkrumah's popularity as a pride to Ghana, foreign powers see it as a threat. Responding to the call of the Chinese government's invitation, the coup had just happened a few hours ago, and the plane sent by China to pick him up was still in the sky, therefore Nkrumah knew nothing about it.

Zhou Enlai not only wants to inform him of this bad news but worried also how to receive and handle this diplomatic problem. After the delivery of the bad news, Nkrumah knew, his government or the military isn't powerful to undertake such a betrayal coup. He knew there were foreign influences.

Polish writer and journalist, Ryszard Kapuscinski, died on January 23, 2007, in Poland

He wasn't surprised to know that the coup was successfully carried out by Howard T. Bane, a CIA chief stationed in Accra. Bane wasn't only powerful in Africa but also in Europe. He also stationed in The Hague, Holland, and volunteered the use of his office at the American embassy to the Dutch authorities.

Nkrumah died in Bucharest, Romania, after a short illness on April 27, 1972, however, decades after his death, the fame of Nkrumah continues to spread like a bush fire, why? How can one person bring such great recognition to Ghana? Taking Ghana's political history into consideration, the only Ghanaian leader undoubtedly famous but not like Nkrumah is John Jerry Rawlings.

Like Nkrumah, Rawlings also has his achievements and failures.

In Europe, if anyone asks a black man where he comes from and the person mentions Ghana, you will see a gleaming smile and happy face, followed by the name "Nkrumah!" How do you feel as a Ghanaian to see how you are well-known because of one person only, Kwame Nkrumah?

Let us be proud of Ghana and help build the country because it's not the work of the politicians alone.