Nkrumah left us a great legacy- K.B Asante

A Close associate of Ghana's first President, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, Mr K. B. Asante, says one of the greatest legacies of Dr Nkrumah is the building of self-confidence in Africans and the promotion of the African personality.

He said in an interview to mark Ghana's 49th Independence anniversary that the philosophy of Dr Nkrumah stemmed from his belief that the Blackman was capable of managing his own affairs.

Mr Asante, a renowned diplomat and a minister of state in the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) era, said unfortunately, Ghana and Africa in general seemed to have lost that self-confidence, largely due to the intermittent coups that characterised the country's politics in the past.

He underlined the need for Ghanaians to rekindle the spirit of self-confidence to move the nation forward.

Mr Asante observed that the administrations of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) had done their best to put the economy back on track, but indicated that there was more room for improvement.

He said Dr Abrefa Busia and Dr Hilla Limann also did their best to enhance the development of the country, but military juntas did not allow them to realise their dreams.

Mr Asante said the establishment of the Medical School, whose products were first class, was another unique legacy that Dr Nkrumah bestowed to the nation.

He said Dr Nkrumah also built industries, such as the Tema Harbour and other projects that enhanced the development of the country.

Mr Asante was, however, not happy about the country's current state of education and health and stressed the need for the government to address them by putting the economy in good shape.

He said the economy was too important a subject to be left to the experts alone, and urged all Ghanaians to take active part in efforts at reviving the it.

He said the attainment of independence on March 6, 1957, was a memorable day in the history of the country.

Mr Asante said on that day he was in London to help in the establishment of Ghana's High Commission and Ghanaians living in the United Kingdom at that time, who attended a reception to commemorate the occasion, were excited and full of hope.