Renowned Pan-Africanist and anti-corruption crusader Professor P.L.O. Lumumba has called on Africans to move beyond slogans and monuments and give practical meaning to the ideas of Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah. He made this statement on the 117th anniversary of Nkrumah's birth, emphasizing that the day should not only be used to praise the former Ghanaian leader but also to examine whether Africa is making progress towards the ideals he championed.
Prof. Lumumba's comments came in an interview with JoyPrime's Isreal Laryea, where he shared his thoughts on Nkrumah's legacy. He mentioned that listening to Nkrumah's daughter, Samia Nkrumah, speak about her father reinforced his belief that the former President's ideas remained relevant. Prof. Lumumba stated that people who believed in Nkrumah's vision had a responsibility to ensure that his ideas were translated into practical action rather than being confined to commemorative events.
Prof. Lumumba cautioned against reducing Nkrumah's legacy to slogans, speeches, and monuments while failing to address fundamental challenges facing African societies. He argued that Nkrumah would instead have challenged Africans to assess their progress in areas such as food security, scientific development, freedom of movement, defence, policy coordination, and economic self-reliance. This, he believes, is the true test of the continent's progress towards greater integration and development.
The Pan-Africanist highlighted several key areas where Africa still lags behind, including food security. He asked whether African countries had developed sufficient scientific and technological capacity to improve the quality of life of their people. Prof. Lumumba also questioned whether Africans had the freedom to move from one corner of the continent to the other without hindrance, and whether they had developed the capacity to protect themselves and coordinate their policies.
Prof. Lumumba further emphasized the importance of economic self-reliance, asking whether African countries produced what they consumed and consumed what they produced. He believes that these are crucial questions that should form part of contemporary reflections on Nkrumah's legacy, rather than limiting his commemoration to historical praise. By examining these areas, Africans can determine whether they are making progress towards the ideals that Nkrumah championed.
According to Prof. Lumumba, Nkrumah's ideas remain relevant today, and it is the duty of those who believe in his vision to ensure that they are implemented. He urged Africans to move beyond rhetoric and take concrete actions to address the challenges facing the continent. By doing so, they can give practical meaning to Nkrumah's ideas and build a brighter future for themselves and future generations.
In conclusion, Prof. Lumumba's message on the 117th anniversary of Nkrumah's birth serves as a reminder of the need for Africans to take a closer look at their progress towards the ideals that Nkrumah championed. By examining their achievements in areas such as food security, scientific development, and economic self-reliance, Africans can determine whether they are truly making progress towards a more integrated and developed continent.
Key points
- Professor P.L.O. Lumumba urges Africans to move beyond slogans and monuments and give practical meaning to Kwame Nkrumah's ideas.
- Lumumba questions Africa's progress in areas such as food security, scientific development, freedom of movement, defence, policy coordination, and economic self-reliance.
- The Pan-Africanist emphasizes the importance of translating Nkrumah's ideas into practical action rather than confining them to commemorative events.
