The Ghana Political Tradition And The Men Who Made It

: Conclusion

Abena Kwatemaa Offeh-Gyimah.

The past three months I have discussed the Ghana political tradition and the men who made it. I decided to choose Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, Dr. Kofi Busia and John Jerry Rawlings due to their extraordinary contributions to Ghanaian politics. Their ideas towards politics and reform affected the growth of Ghana greatly. It is important to always account the ideology of previous leaders and to examine whether many leaders held a common ideology, why some leaders were undermined and the roots for many political conflicts. Through analyses, it is imperative to reflect on how the ideals of these leaders have either strengthened or weakened Ghana over several years.

Dr. Kwame Nkrumah’s idea toward Ghanaian politics was completely different from those that came after him. He was primarily concerned with the African continent. He saw the organization of the African people as the gateway to their freedom. Dr. Nkrumah was the foremost proponent of Pan-Africanism in the twentieth century, a movement that seeked to unite all Africans into an African community. This idea promoted values against the African struggle on colonialism. In addition, he formed the All-African People’s Revolutionary Party, (A-APRP), a socialist group that would manage the political and economic conditions necessary for the A-APRP to fight against colonization, imperialism and other forms of oppression.

Dr. Nkrumah had incredible plans for the people of Africa; however, one thing Dr. Nkrumah failed to do was focus primarily on Ghana. He placed emphasis on Africa as a whole, trying to create a United States of Africa. Although he had a great vision for Africa, one of freedom and justice, he was not entirely focused on Ghana. This can be seen in the way in which President Nkrumah left Ghana, after him the country the country’s economic and political state was greatly affected. Ghana became unstable since his departure. Although Dr. Nkrumah gained independence for Ghana, and among that built other things that still stand today; it is important to note that because his focus was not entirely on Ghana, Ghana could not adequately develop as a new country under him.

Dr. Kofi Abrefa Busia, on the other hand, was anti-Nkrumaist. Along with J.B. Danquah, Busia’s name is associated with Ghana’s political right. Dr. Busia’s years as president was brief. He came into the economic turbulence Nkrumah had left the country in. The debts contracted by Dr. Nkrumah’s government proved a fatal burden to Dr. Busia’s government and it became a heavy burden for future administrations. The years facing Ghana was now bleak and difficult. Evidence from Ghana’s state at that time demonstrated that Dr. Nkrumah’s development policy was a costly failure. His attachment to his economic ideas and doctrines were inappropriate to Ghana’s circumstance. Dr. Busia was unable to lead the country out of its economic troubles and political bitterness

In contrast to Dr. Nkrumah, Dr. Busia held a completely different vision for Ghana. He was not extremely focused on Africa as a whole like President Nkrumah was but he focused on reviving a spirit of sensibility by Ghanaian traditional values. Others, with a more conservative view saw this as a way of solving the country’s current turbulence. However, his political ideals for Ghana were short lived due to the way in which Dr. Nkrumah led the country. Dr. Busia’s vision for Ghana focused on the country; however it came at the time where the country was struggling. Thus, his vision was quickly shortened.

In the early years of John Jerry Rawlings, he was greatly embraced by many Ghanaians who supported him. Due to his popularity, he quickly rose to become head of state. He was the chairman of the Provisional National Defense Council (PNDC) with the idea of transforming Ghanaian society. Many people saw this as a military dictatorship, with a one party state ruling the country. However, following international pressures he agreed to reintroduce a multi-party system.

It is often difficult to pass a judgment on J J Rawlings and his political ideals, because before his presidency he has been accused of human rights abuses. He intimidated, detained and carried out a few ‘cleaning’ jobs. On the other hand, his time as president improved the economy of Ghana since the 1970’s. There was political stability although it was at the costs of human rights. Rawlings now holds the image of both a radical military dictatorship and a democratic ruler depending on the light one examines him from.

Since Ghana gained independence, it seemed almost as if it has been fighting to find an identity. Through an account of various political conflicts, economic tactics, and several coups, the people of Ghana have suffered greatly. The men who made the Ghana political tradition reveal that the journey to bringing a country together is not an easy task. Kwame Nkrumah did what he saw was best for his Ghana after colonization, Kofi Abrefa Busia wanted to revive the Ghanaian traditional values, and J J Rawlings established a democratic system supported by a stable economy.