The Coup That Cannot Be Justified

The 24th February 1966 CIA-backed coup that overthrew the democratically elected Nkrumah regime can no longer be justified. This is what the awakened youth of Ghana are saying now. The youth are emphasising that hitherto the narrative justifying and glorifying the 1966 coup with the symbolism of Kotoka International Airport is an abomination and a curse on Ghana which has to be exorcised forthwith. Such is the awakening demand of popular culture and religious icons, A-Plus and Sonnie Badu.

A-Plus and Sonnie Badu are a representative voice of the youth. Their energetic, articulate and truthful voice has resounded across the country and elsewhere in the Pan-African world causing people to pause and reflect. And as people cast their mind across Africa they feel and taste the urgency of Nkrumah’s AFRICA MUST UNITE call. And when they cast their mind across Ghana what comes to their mind’s eye? In Ghana, most of the nation-building and development foundations that give them a sense of national pride were mostly founded during the near nine years rule of Nkrumah.

The sheer panorama of social housing; industrial and manufacturing expanse of Tema harbouring a vital port of trade and commerce; the strategic siting of industries, schools and colleges, housing estates, hospitals plus the purposeful expansion of roads, railways and airports to open up and interconnect the country so that no one is left behind is mind-boggling.

The evidence is strikingly awakening. The evidence makes you a born-again in the faith of self-sacrifice, self-belief and in the anthem of LIFT HIGH THE FLAG OF GHANA with the gay star shining in the sky. Yes, The Black Star of Ghana, the Black Star of Africa Emancipation.

Sonnie Badu and A-Plus are telling the youth to be aware of the evidence. The evidence of the Work and Happiness programme of all-round accelerated development supported by research and educational institutions like the Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research, National Institute of Health and Medical Research, Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, Building and Roads Research Institute, the Volta River Authority and a fully-fledged University of Science and Technology plus the School for Public Administration, amongst others. Such is the evidence that cannot be covered by the proportions of the elephant and the umbrella.

No revisionism can soil or obliterate the evidence of performance that still surpasses all understanding. How could so much be achieved between 6th March 1957 and 24th February 1966? And what is so humbling is that it is the global iconic standing of Nkrumah that makes you feel so proud as a Ghanaian when you travel abroad. Now, one begins to understand why others are demanding that Ghanaians should apologise to Africa for allowing quislings and colonial stooges to cut shot the mission of Africa’s Man of Destiny.

The youth are thinking and asking questions. Was the Osagyefo Kwame Nkrumah not the founding Leader of Government Business, founding Prime Minister, founding President, all of Ghana, and the co-President of the Revolutionary Republic of Guinea? Here again, the evidence is clear for it is when the frog dies that you realise its length and reach. But Nkrumah Never Dies. It is our thoughts and memories of Nkrumah that keeps Nkrumah alive in the hearts and minds of people across the globe.

What an asset that Ghana has in Nkrumah!!! An inspiring asset to the youth who are now measuring their future in the consciencism of Nkrumah. Nkrumah prepared the ground for the youth, built for the youth; Nkrumah created jobs for the youth; Nkrumah built schools for the youth and, Nkrumah was selfless and self-sacrificing. Nkrumah thought of Ghana first.

Nkrumah did not steal a pesewa and neither did he own a property. Nkrumah did not steal from the blood, sweat and tears of workers. Nkrumah insured and assured the social security and pension funds of workers. Nkrumah protected and provided for workers, farmers, women, children and the disadvantaged.

The social purpose of Nkrumah’s development agenda was measured by the remarkable improvement in the wellbeing of the Ghanaian. Nkrumah left no one behind and those who chose to leave themselves behind were those hanging on the coattails of the colonialists and pulling Ghana backwards instead of forward ever. These quislings made the independence of Ghana meaningless by linking it up with the gamble house of neo-colonialism soon after the coup of 24th February 1966.

And are they not at it now cutting deals and selling off the resources and commonwealth of the nation to the very external forces who combined to get rid of Nkrumah at a time when the Volta Hydroelectric Dam at Akosombo, the Atomic Energy Reactor at Kwabenya and the Gold Refinery at Tarkwa were primed for liftoff to make Ghana make up, catch up and surpass within a generation. Ghana’s forward march in tandem with Singapore and Malaysia was cut short by the betrayal of Kotoka and those he represented? It is this cancer of betrayal that the youth are waking up to.

Nkrumah gave of himself to the youth, Ghana, Africa and also for world peace and stability. This is our truth and the Kwame Nkrumah Ideological Institute (KNII), on the occasion of 24th February joins in the lamentations and wake-up call of Sonnie Badu and A-Plus for the curse of Kotoka and what he represents to be cleansed from Our Founder’s House.

Let the truth shine! Let the Black Star shine!!

Benjamin Anyagre (On behalf of the Board of the Kwame Nkrumah Ideological Institute)