The Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, Sir Sam Jonah, has urged Ghanaians to shift their focus from prolonged debates over Kwame Nkrumah's political legacy to the nation-building agenda pursued during his administration. Speaking at the 15th Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Lectures, Sir Jonah emphasized that Nkrumah's contribution to Ghana should not be assessed solely through political arguments about his presidency. He highlighted the importance of considering the infrastructure and institutions established during Nkrumah's tenure.
Sir Jonah made the observation on September 17, 2026, during the opening of the memorial lectures at the University of Cape Coast. Reflecting on the development theme of the lectures, he noted that Ghana's post-independence discourse had placed considerable emphasis on arguments about Nkrumah while giving comparatively less attention to the practical development agenda associated with his administration. Sir Jonah cited several examples of Nkrumah's development projects, including the construction of Akosombo, Tema, the motorway, Ghana Education Trust schools, and universities.
According to Sir Jonah, Nkrumah recognized that political independence alone could not deliver meaningful national transformation without economic and industrial development. He emphasized that Nkrumah understood the importance of industry, stating that "independence without industry is a flag without a factory." Sir Jonah also noted that Ghanaians had too often been content with the symbolic aspects of independence, rather than pursuing the development-oriented approach for which Nkrumah's administration was known.
Sir Jonah criticized Ghanaians for spending decades examining and debating Nkrumah's record, but not devoting the same level of attention to pursuing the development agenda. He stated that "we have spent sixty years arguing about Nkrumah and rather less time doing what he actually did, which was to build things." The Chancellor emphasized that Nkrumah's approach to national development remained relevant to Ghana's current circumstances, particularly the need to convert national aspirations into concrete projects and institutions capable of improving people's lives.
The 15th Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Lectures are being held under the theme, "Kwame Nkrumah, Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow – Perspectives on Constitutionalism, Development and Pan-Africanism." Sir Jonah's remarks were made in connection with this theme, which highlights the ongoing relevance of Nkrumah's ideas and legacy. The Chancellor also emphasized the responsibility of universities and other intellectual institutions in advancing national development.
According to Sir Jonah, academic institutions should not restrict themselves to producing knowledge but should also contribute to turning ideas and knowledge into practical outcomes. He stated that "a university is the one place in any country where silence is not an option – where knowing is supposed to become saying, and saying is supposed to become doing." The Chancellor emphasized that Ghana's development challenges should encourage a more practical examination of Nkrumah's legacy.
Sir Jonah concluded by emphasizing the need for Ghanaians to learn from Nkrumah's nation-building efforts, rather than continuing to argue over his political record. He urged Ghanaians to adopt a more practical approach to development, one that prioritizes the implementation of concrete projects and institutions that can improve people's lives. By doing so, Ghana can move beyond prolonged debates and focus on building a better future for its citizens.
Key points
- Sir Sam Jonah urges Ghanaians to focus on Nkrumah's nation-building agenda
- Nkrumah's approach to national development remains relevant to Ghana's current circumstances
- Academic institutions have a responsibility to contribute to national development by turning ideas into practical outcomes
