WHEN GIANTS WALKED: Why Kwame Nkrumah’s Legacy Still Outshines Every Ghanaian President

 WHEN GIANTS WALKED: WHY OSAGYEFO DR KWAME NKRUMAH'S LEGACY STILL OUTSHINES EVERY GHANAIAN PRESIDENT

 

By: Honeybrowne Okaakyire, B.Ed.

In our history as Ghanaians, few names echo through time with as much reverence and power as Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah. Whenever I look at Ghana's current state—its struggling economy, stalled industries, weakened educational system, and political unrest; I cannot help but ask: Where did we go wrong after Nkrumah? Why have his successors not matched his stride, let alone surpassed his monumental achievements?

I write this piece not to idolize Nkrumah blindly, but to speak truth, compare legacies, and perhaps, wake us all up from the deep slumber of mediocrity that we now call leadership in Ghana. From 1957 to 1966, Ghana saw transformation on an unmatched scale. In this article, I will examine Nkrumah’s top-tier achievements, his factories, institutions, vision, and long-standing legacy, while contrasting them with what we’ve had ever since.

The Vision of a True Leader : Before anything else, Nkrumah was a visionary. He didn’t wait to inherit wealth; he built it. He didn't come into leadership hoping for IMF bailouts or foreign donations. He believed Ghana and Africa could stand tall on her own two feet. His motto, "Seek ye first the political kingdom, and all other things shall be added unto you," was more than a slogan. It was a prophecy. One we are yet to fulfill.

Nkrumah’s Topnotch Achievements That Remain Unmatched

1. Industrialization and Factory Building

If you ever hear someone ask, “What did Nkrumah do with Ghana’s money?”, respond confidently with just this word: Factories. And a long list follows:

Tema Oil Refinery

Ghana Industrial Holding Corporation (GIHOC)

Abosso Glass Factory

Bolgatanga Meat Factory

Bonsa Tyre Factory

Nsawam Cannery

Ghana Textile Printing (GTP)

Kade Match Factory

Asutuare Sugar Factory

Komenda Sugar Factory

Wenchi Tomato Factory

Juapong Textiles

Akosombo Textiles

Ghana Shoe Factory

Ghana Cement Works (GHACEM)

Black Star Line (Shipping Corporation)

State Farms and Food Distribution Outlets

Each of these factories was strategically positioned across regions to create jobs, stimulate local economies, and reduce import dependence.

Today, these factories are either dead, privatized to foreign owners, or forgotten entirely. Some presidents after him did not even open one functioning national factory in eight years!

2. Energy and Infrastructure : Let’s talk about Akosombo Dam, arguably the most iconic legacy of Nkrumah. This massive hydroelectric project still powers most of Ghana and parts of neighboring countries. Built in collaboration with Kaiser Aluminum and the US, it was a marvel of planning, engineering, and sheer national ambition. What have our modern leaders built to compare? Even today, we still suffer dumsor, power rationing, and rely on gas from Nigeria. What happened to energy independence? The Akosombo Dam was meant to lead us there. He also developed Tema Township, with the Tema Harbour as a vital commercial point. Nkrumah even created a plan for a national railway system that would connect every region. Most of this dream is either abandoned or corrupted today.

3. Education for All : Dr. Kwame Nkrumah’s investment in education was revolutionary. Under his rule: 

Free and compulsory education was introduced. The University of Ghana (UG), Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), and University of Cape Coast (UCC) were expanded and equipped. Teacher training colleges were developed nationwide. Science, Maths and technical education were emphasized. Scholarship opportunities were given for students to study abroad. Today, scholarship for Ghanaian students to study abroad is not titled to 'whom you know'. If you don't know anyone in the government or you can't pay, then forget about studying abroad. Where did we go as a country? Compare this to today’s situation where teachers are unpaid, classrooms are overcrowded, and our graduates remain unemployed. What went wrong?

4. Pan-Africanism and Global Reputation. Nkrumah was not just a Ghanaian leader; he was a continental voice. As the father of Pan-Africanism, he called for the United States of Africa and supported liberation struggles across Africa, from Congo to Angola to South Africa. He established the Organization of African Unity (OAU), which later became the African Union (AU). Till date, no Ghanaian president has ever wielded the same level of international respect and leadership.

5. Housing and National Planning: Did you know Nkrumah had a 10-year development plan for Ghana? He created housing projects like the Tema Community One, Workers' Flats, and State Housing projects to give low-income families a decent place to live. Compare this with today's slums, skyrocketing rents, and lack of affordable homes. How many presidents after him even had a serious national housing agenda?

6. Nkrumah and Transportation: Building Roads to Progress : One of the most overlooked achievements of Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah was his bold investment in Ghana’s transportation system. To Nkrumah, roads, railways, and ports were not just means of movement, but lifelines of national development. He believed that without a strong transport network, industry, agriculture, and education would all suffer. In less than a decade, Nkrumah laid the foundation for one of the most ambitious transportation revolutions in Africa. He constructed over 10,000 kilometers of roads linking rural and urban areas to promote internal trade, education access, and national unity. He understood that for farmers to sell their produce and for factories to receive raw materials, reliable roads and trucks were non-negotiable.

More importantly, Nkrumah expanded the railway system, especially from Tarkwa, Takoradi, and Kumasi to Accra and other commercial centers. His dream was to connect the north and south of Ghana by rail, promoting national integration. Though the full plan was halted by the 1966 coup, many of the existing rail lines today are still those laid or expanded under his rule.

Nkrumah also developed the Tema Harbour to serve as a modern port facility for exports and imports, reducing Ghana’s reliance on colonial ports. The creation of the Black Star Line, a national shipping company was his attempt to give Ghana full control over international trade and maritime logistics. Even in air travel, he transformed the Accra International Airport, laying the groundwork for what is now the Kotoka International Airport. In short, Nkrumah’s vision for transportation wasn’t about prestige, it was about empowering every Ghanaian to move, trade, learn, and connect.

7. Nkrumah’s Agricultural Vision: Feeding the Nation from Within : Agriculture was at the heart of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah’s development agenda. He understood that for Ghana to become truly independent, it had to be self-sufficient in food production and less dependent on imported goods. Nkrumah therefore invested heavily in mechanized agriculture and national farming schemes. He established state farms and collective agricultural projects across the country, aiming to increase food supply and reduce hunger. These farms were supported by the Agricultural Mechanization Centres, which provided tools, tractors, and training for farmers. His government also created the State Farms Corporation to manage large-scale production of rice, maize, and vegetables.

To process and preserve farm produce, he built factories like the Wenchi Tomato Factory and the Nsawam Cannery. These agro processing industries ensured that local crops did not go to waste and created jobs across the value chain.

In addition, Nkrumah emphasized agricultural education by establishing institutions like the Kwadaso Agricultural College to train future agronomists and extension officers. He didn’t see farmers as poor villagers, he saw them as nation builders. Nkrumah’s agricultural policy was clear: “No country is truly free until it can feed itself.”

Comparing Nkrumah’s Legacy to Later Presidents

        Rawlings (1979, 1981–2000) - Jerry John Rawlings is often praised for military discipline, fighting corruption, and restoring democratic governance. He also revived some of Nkrumah’s factories during the PNDC era. But his economic policies were overwhelmed by IMF conditions, and many state enterprises were sold off under the SAPs (Structural Adjustment Programs).

Credit: Anti-corruption, decentralization (District Assemblies), some educational reforms.

Weakness: Oversaw privatization that destroyed some Nkrumah-era gains.

       John Agyekum Kufuor (2001–2009)

Kufuor brought stability, NHIS, and School Feeding Programme, but industrialization stalled under him. He is credited for peaceful governance, but not for bold transformational leadership like Nkrumah’s.

   John Atta Mills (2009–2012)

A gentle and respected leader, but passed too soon. His era was stable, but did not rekindle Nkrumah’s developmental momentum.

  John Dramani Mahama (2012–2016, 2025–Present)

He built hospitals, schools, and roads, especially in rural areas, during his first term. Though his earlier tenure faced economic hardships, power crisis (dumsor) and corruption concerns, his return to power in December 2024 has reignited debate on continuity and leadership. Many Ghanaians are watching closely to see if this second coming will revive industrialization, strengthen anti-corruption efforts, and deliver better governance compared to his past term and his predecessors.

     Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo (2017–2025)

Introduced Free SHS, 1D1F (One District One Factory) and Planting for Food and Jobs were just great ideas on paper. But execution was weak, with many factories not state-owned or not functioning. His administration saw ballooning debt, youth unemployment, and high inflation, which many argue undermined his economic promises.

Important Questions to Ponder

1.. Why were most of Nkrumah's factories destroyed or abandoned after the 1966 coup?

> Political jealousy, Cold War politics, and lack of visionary continuity.

2. Why has no president after Nkrumah built another Akosombo-level infrastructure?

> Short-term political thinking, corruption, and donor dependency.

3. Is it possible to return to Nkrumah’s development model?

> Yes, if we stop politicizing national development and embrace local production.

Lessons from Nkrumah’s Legacy

Self-belief matters: Nkrumah believed in Ghanaians. He trusted that we could do it ourselves. Today, we look to the West for everything.

Plan for generations, not elections: While modern presidents think in 4-year cycles, Nkrumah planned 50 years ahead.

Industrialization is key: No country becomes rich by importing everything. Nkrumah wanted Ghana to manufacture and export.

Education is liberation: He knew that a literate and skilled population was the key to national development.

Why Nkrumah Still Stands Tall

Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah was not perfect. He had his political flaws and yes, he banned opposition and declared Ghana a one-party state. But in terms of economic transformation, patriotism, and leadership vision, no president comes close.

In just 9 years, he built more factories, schools, infrastructure, and global respect than all presidents put together. He envisioned Ghana as the Black Star of Africa, and he laid the bricks. Sadly, after his fall, we scattered those bricks.

Let us teach our children about Nkrumah not just as a historical figure, but as a benchmark. Until we get leaders who love Ghana like he did, who dream, build, and act selflessly; we will continue chasing shadows.

So I ask again: Where are the Nkrumahs of today?

In conclusion, I, Honeybrowne, firmly believe that Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah stands tall as the greatest president in Ghana’s political history. His unmatched vision, courage, and commitment to true independence set the foundation for our nation’s progress. From industrialization to education, he championed bold policies that future leaders still struggle to match. Nkrumah was not perfect, but his passion for Africa’s unity and Ghana’s self-reliance remains legendary. No president has carried such a dream with such force. His legacy lives on, not just in books, but in the very spirit of Ghana. Nkrumah never dies—, his ideas live forever.

Written by:

Honeybrowne Okaakyire, B.Ed.

A passionate Ghanaian educator and patriot

📍worldhoneybrowne.blogspot.com