The Ghanaian government has been urged to introduce a new GH¢500 currency note featuring the portrait of Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, in recognition of his significant contributions to national development, Africa, and humanity. Dr. Nkrumah, Ghana’s first president, played a crucial role in shaping the country’s development, and his ideals and policies remain relevant today, not only in Ghana but also across the continent and globally.
According to Dr. Dee Otibu-Asare, founder of the Nkrumah Vision Alive Movement, the best tribute to Dr. Nkrumah would be the implementation of his vision and policies, which are still relevant to national development. Dr. Otibu-Asare made this call in a statement issued in Accra to mark Dr. Nkrumah’s 116th birthday celebration.
Dr. Otibu-Asare also appealed to the government to incorporate Dr. Nkrumah’s philosophy and ideology into school curricula and to revive the Young Pioneers concept to instill patriotism and moral values in the youth. Furthermore, he called on historians to write more books about Dr. Nkrumah and to reprint books about the former president that were destroyed after his overthrow in 1966.
The founder of the Nkrumah Vision Alive Movement suggested that the government complement its Feed Ghana initiative with Dr. Nkrumah’s state farms policy, which could guarantee food security, generate employment opportunities, reduce poverty, and improve living standards. State farms could also contribute to rural development, provision of infrastructure, and basic amenities like water and electricity, ultimately reducing the importation of food products.
Dr. Nkrumah’s legacy continues to be celebrated, with his vision and policies still enjoying widespread support. His commitment to Pan-Africanism, as evident in his message “the independence of Ghana is meaningless, unless it is linked up with the total liberation of Africa,” remains an inspiration to African leaders and individuals. Dr. Nkrumah was voted African of the millennium in a BBC survey, a testament to his enduring impact on the continent.
The introduction of a new currency note featuring Dr. Nkrumah’s portrait would be a fitting tribute to his contributions to Ghana and Africa. As the country continues to develop and grow, it is essential to remember and learn from the vision and policies of its founding father. By implementing Dr. Nkrumah’s ideas and preserving his legacy, Ghana can build a brighter future for its citizens and contribute to the development of the African continent.
