Nkrumah against the Fourth Republic

The legacy of Ghana’s first president, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, has become a topic of public debate following a recent statement by Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, vice-presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

Dr. Prempeh said that the current government of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is the best in the history of Ghana, surpassing even the Nkrumah administration. Many have interpreted this statement as an insult to Nkrumah, who is credited with helping Ghana achieve independence.

This article examines the major achievements of Ghana’s first president in comparison with the achievements of the presidents of the Fourth Republic.

Important hospitals were established

Do not tell me:

Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital was built.

He expanded the 37th Military Hospital and opened it to the public.

Korle-Bu was converted into a teaching hospital, among other health facilities.
Presidents of the 4th Republic:

By JJ Rawlings:

He built regional hospitals in Cape Coast, Ho and Sunyani.

Modern district hospitals in several district capitals.

The Expansion and Renovation Project of the 37th Military Hospital has begun.

Raven:

A state-of-the-art emergency centre was built at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital.

The ‘Ghana Hospital Project’ was initiated, which included a military hospital, two regional hospitals and six district hospitals, including the Upper West Regional Hospital in Wa.

Atta/Mahama Mills:

The University of Ghana Medical Centre was completed, the Greater Accra Regional Hospital, Ridge, was expanded, and the Bank of Ghana Hospital was built.

Several health facilities were started including Ashanti Regional Hospital, Sewua, Upper East Regional Hospital, Bolga, and Kumasi Military Hospital, Afare.

Akufo Addo:

Many existing health facilities were expanded and hospitals were completed under the “Ghana Hospital Project”.

The Agenda 111 Project was launched to build more than 100 health centres, including seven regional hospitals and psychiatric hospitals.

Established Universities/Higher Education Institutions

Do not tell me:

He founded the University of Cape Coast, the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, the University of Ghana and more.

Establish 16 teacher training colleges and the Ghana National College in Cape Coast.

Presidents of the 4th Republic:

By JJ Rawlings:

The University of Development Studies was established and the Winneba Teacher Training College was transformed into the Winneba University of Education.

Private tertiary institutions were allowed to complement public universities.

Raven:

Existing educational institutions were upgraded to university level, including the University of Mines and Technology, the Ghana Maritime University College and the University College of Telecommunications.

Atta/Mahama Mills:

The University of Energy and Natural Resources, the University of Health and Related Sciences and the University of Environment and Sustainable Development were established.

He transformed the polytechnic schools into technical universities and founded the community higher secondary schools.

Akufo Addo:

Head of the University of Environment and Sustainable Development.

He converted two campuses of the University of Development Studies into autonomous universities.

Contribution to Ghana’s electricity production

Do not tell me:

The Akosombo Dam was built, supplying almost a quarter of Ghana’s electricity needs (1020 MW).

He launched the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission and the Ghana Nuclear Reactor Project.

Akosombo Dam

Presidents of the 4th Republic:

By JJ Rawlings:

Implemented the national electrification plan, expanding electricity to previously underserved areas and increasing access from 10% to over 50%.

Raven:

The Bui Dam was built, adding 400 MW to Ghana’s energy mix.

Atta/Mahama Mills:

The Bui power plant was completed and the 450 MW Karpowership plant and the 250 MW Ameri plant were inaugurated.
Built the natural gas processing plant in Atuabo.

Akufo Addo:

It contributed to power generation with the 15 MW Kaleo power plant and the 55 MW Bui Solar.
State factories were established

Do not tell me:

He founded numerous state-owned manufacturing companies including Abosso Glass Factory, Akosombo Textiles Limited, Asutuare Sugar Factory and more.

Presidents of the 4th Republic:

By JJ Rawlings:

There is no record of new state-owned enterprises; focus was on privatisation and establishment of the Ghana Free Zones Authority.

Raven:

There is no record of new state-owned enterprises.

Atta/Mahama Mills:

There is no record of new state-owned enterprises, but the creation of private sector companies is encouraged.

Akufo Addo:

No new state-owned factories were created, but the creation of more than 100 private companies was facilitated under the One District, One Factory initiative.

Social Intervention Policies

Do not tell me:

He established the Ghana Education Trust, a free basic education programme and several scholarships for students, including the Northern Scholarship Scheme.

Presidents of the 4th Republic:

By JJ Rawlings:

The Ghana Education Trust Fund (GET Fund), District Assemblies Common Fund, Road Fund, EDIF and Energy Fund were established.

It put the National Health Insurance System (NHIS) to the test.

Raven:

NHIS, Microfinance and Small Loans Scheme (MASLOC), Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty Programme (LEAP), per capita grant system and Ghana School Feeding Programme were implemented.

Atta/Mahama Mills:

NHIS was improved and free school uniforms and textbooks were provided for public school students.
Akufo Addo:

The free secondary school policy was implemented and the Zongo Development Fund was established.

Other notable projects

Do not tell me:

Nkrumah founded the Bank of Ghana, the Commercial Bank of Ghana, the National Investment Bank, the Ghana Black Star Line and several infrastructure projects including the Tema Township and the Tema Expressway.
Presidents of the 4th Republic:

By JJ Rawlings:

Rawling built housing developments, urban road projects, and monuments for Kwame Nkrumah and W.E.B. DuBois.

Ghanaians absorbed and expelled from Nigeria in 1983.

Raven:

The Jubilee House, the Bui Dam Project and Bui City and the Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence were built.

Atta/Mahama Mills:

The Kwame Nkrumah Interchange, the Kasoa Flyover Bridge were built and the shift system in government basic schools was abolished.

He carried out the Tema Motorway Roundabout Congestion Relief Project, the Pokuase Interchange and the Motorway Expansion Project.

Akufo Addo:

The Appiatse community was rebuilt, mobile money interoperability was introduced, and drones were used to deliver medical supplies.

BAI/OGB

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