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"The disunity in our great Nkrumaist – CPP tradition as at now, if it were to be seen by the Osagyefo and his gallant warriors by any means, would let them turn in their graves and weep bitterly for Ghanaians. They would then ask – where are the descendants, the off springs of the gallant warriors of the CPP who fought gallantly to free Ghana from the claws of colonialism",the group said in a statement.
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According to the Group, the generation after Osagyefo and his warriors of the independence struggle have failed to act, hence the need for Ghana to adopt the Nkrumaist Development philosophy "that relies on the capability of Ghanaians to develop the productive resources of our nation to satisfy our needs and export".
"The OYM want to remind Ghanaians that the time is ripe once again, for the emergence on the continent of Africa, a new generation of Nkrumaists, whose bounding pre-occupation must be the “REGENERATION or REVIVAL” of Nkrumaism in Ghana and Africa," the statement added.
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The call by the Osagyefo Youth Movement comes on the back of Ghana's preparedness to celebrate its 59th Independence anniversary celebration under the theme: "Investing in the Youth for Ghana's Transformation".
Below is the full statement from the Osagyefo Youth Movement:
“AS FAR AS I AM CONCERNED, I AM IN THE KNOWLEDGE THAT DEATH CAN NEVER EXTINGUISH THE LIGHT WHICH I HAVE LIT IN GHANA AND AFRICA, LONG AFTER I AM DEAD AND GONE THE LIGHT WHICH I HAVE LIT IN GHANA AND AFRICA SHALL CONTIN UE TO BURN AND BE BORNE ALOFT GIVING LIGHT AND GUIDANCE TO ALL PEOPLE”
- Osagyefo Kwame Nkrumah of Africa
Ladies and Gentlemen of the press, Fellow comrades and countrymen,
Warm greetings from the Osagyefo Youth Movement (OYM). A movement of strong and unrepentant warriors of the esteemed cause of NKRUMAISM in Ghana.
GHANA BEFORE THE 24 FEB 1966 OVERTHROW OF THE CPP GOVERNMENT
In the history of African emancipation, there is countless number of incidents of such great sadness that can never be forgotten by any true African. And one of such incidents, which of course, can be termed cardinal, is the overthrow of the CPP government on 24 February, 1966; after which the Osagyefo lamented in Conakry - Guinea that
One of the signs of a successful and prosperous nation is that even in its times of prosperity. It constantly reminds itself of its darker days. Therefore, if history as contended by Cicero is the“witness of times, the torch of truth, the life of memory, the teacher of life and the messenger of antiquity”, then Ghanaians and Africans in general, can neither forget about the events of our past struggles, nor brush them aside as if they never happened. We cannot forget about our past misdeeds (notably the 24th Feb, 1966 sad event). We need to think on them to guide us in our present and future march to prosperity.
Freedom from colonial rule was achieved in 1957 under the vanguard of the Convention People’s Party with Osagyefo Kwame Nkrumah as the leader. The successes achieved and the great gains made for Africans prior to the overthrow of the CPP government, made Ghana a country envied by many across the length and breadth of the globe. Ghana became the symbol of hope to many Africans and the oppressed people of the world. From locations across the country, there can be spotted about 300 factories intended for the production of wide variety of products which are essential for human needs. All have been abandoned. Under the drive of the African Personality concept we were proud of our culture, we were confident with conscious determination to be great and excel in contributing to global civilization.
The Convention People’s Party has passed through the highways and byways of life, and the principles imbedded in its development philosophy i.e. NKRUMAISM still hold water. The CPP still stands on the moral high ground in terms of development objectives and policies to achieve
It is an undeniable fact that the policies of governments after the overthrow of the first republican government of the CPP to date, does not inure to the prosperity and comfort of the people. Rather it depresses further the conditions of the poor in society.
Thus the tendency of what we call material and social progress has not improved the conditions of the lowest class in the essentials of “HEALTHY, HAPPY, HUMAN LIFE” which the CPP government sought to create or establish for all Ghanaians with the slogan “WORK AND HAPPINESS”. The Convention People’s Party with its practically driven ideology has an excellent track record of uniting Ghana, and good wine needs no bush. The Nkrumaist – CPP tradition’s track record leaves others in the dust.
It is the contention of the Osagyefo Youth Movement (OYM) that it is expedient to remind Ghanaians especially the youth of today, of the relevance of the Nkrumaist Development policy guidelines, in our present political dispensation.
To be precise, the OYM want to remind Ghanaians that the time is ripe once again, for the emergence on the continent of Africa, a new generation of Nkrumaists, whose bounding pre-occupation must be the “REGENERATION or REVIVAL” of Nkrumaism in Ghana and Africa.
The OYM therefore is calling on the Nkrumaist – CPP tradition to come together, since a bunch of broom sticks binded together can never be broken. The disunity in our great Nkrumaist – CPP tradition as at now, if it were to be seen by the Osagyefo and his gallant warriors by any means, would let them turn in their graves and weep bitterly for Ghanaians. They would then ask –
The call has become necessary because the generation after Osagyefo and his warriors of our independence struggle have failed to act. They have become indicted with apathy and inaction. It is said that every generation that passes idly over the earth without adding to its progress remains un-inscribed upon the register of humanity, hence the succeeding generation tramples its ashes as dust.
The Osagyefo and his brave warriors of our independence struggle left us a legacy; they left us foot prints i.e. a philosophical or a developmental path on the land. And in order not to be judged harshly by history as it is being done to the generation after the Osagyefo and his glorious fighters, it is the duty of the present generation to add to this legacy.
Unfortunately, present day Ghanaians honour Osagyefo Kwame Nkrumah, the founder of our nation in name and in form. Ghanaians set up his statues and sing his praises. But Ghanaians have not fully appreciated the Osagyefo and what he stood for. The negative tendencies afflicting the Nkrumaist – CPP tradition, increase the demand on Ghanaians (esp. members of the tradition) to rise above mediocrity and pettiness and act with dispatch in seeing to it that the Nkrumaist - CPP tradition unites to dominate once again the socio-economic development of our country.
As the world has become a global village and science and technology (which was the Osagyefo’s forte) have made quantum leaps. It is incumbent on Nkrumaist of today to therefore unite and perk ourselves up, by applying science and technology that has an agent of Nkrumaist development philosophy to create a modern industrial state.
The basic requirement in the revival of Nkrumaism in Ghana is the principal understanding that, the Convention People’s Party (the political vehicle of the Nkrumaist philosophy) does not belong to a group of people or any individual. Nkrumaists of today should understand and acknowledge that the CPP was born out of an idea- it is a school of thought that provides solutions to the oppressed of the world. The development philosophy of Nkrumaism provides platform for all colonized and subjugated people throughout the world. The Nkrumaist philosophy has lessons for the reconstruction of post colonial economies.
This attest to the fact that, Osagyefo Kwame Nkrumah of Africa is the global authority on colonialism and neo-colonialism.
Nkrumaism places much emphasis on the emancipation of the African continent and its people. Nkrumaism as a school of thought, does not only provide new vistas of vision, but also provides a new set of situations that should enable Africans to enhance our capabilities in organization to avoid re-colonization. Nkrumaism is a “freedom fighting” philosophy for those who are denied their basic rights to life to govern themselves through their culture.
If these are but a few true teachings of Nkrumaism then why do we see such disorder and divisions in the Nkrumaist – CPP tradition? This is the nub of the issue. And this should give Nkrumaists food for thought.
It is pertinent to note that, the mal-functioning and non-credibility bedeviling the Nkrumaist – CPP tradition will keep recurring with unfailing regularity that seem inexplicable, unless members of the tradition unite and pay attention to the revival of the of Nkrumaism.
The sacred truth is that, we have not as present day Nkrumaists, come to terms with our destiny as one people. We have not developed a sense of appreciation of who we are and what legacy we have to uphold. Justice demands of the members of our tradition to right this wrong; for the simple reason that as human beings
When we think and act this way, our differences will not be a means of impairment but will actually play a positive role in our traditions’ future well being and development.
The true and overarching objectives should be reconciliation, reformation and the development of long lasting unity. Nkrumaists should take account of all other options and make amends for our past mistakes. Let us not dabble in trivialities any more. Let us get down to the basics. We should put our strength into this unity venture to be successful. This could be possible only when such negative traits like self centeredness, suspicions, spitefulness, acrimony, hatred, mistrust and inordinate ambitions among comrades are done away with.
Although we have had difficulties at different points in history, fast forward to 2016 (exactly fifty years since the over throw of the CPP) and we foresee the Nkrumaist - CPP tradition placed in greater political turmoil than ever before. In the scheme of things the OYM calls for your support to stage a rearguard action to regenerate or revive Nkrumaism in Ghana and to bring the CPP back on the rails.
It is on the score of this that the OYM want to traditionally, customarily and culturally unburdens our hearts to the members of the tradition about the clouds of uncertainty that hangs over the future of the once indomitable Convention People’s Party, if present day Nkrumaists fail to unite and rebuild the CPP.
We make this appeal from the perspective of our Nkrumaist development philosophy, which we believe is the most relevant and efficient for the achievement of our national development aspirations. It is the only development policy guide line that is founded on the history of our dear country. The CPP carries the weight of the world on its shoulders as far as the solution to the economic development issues are concerned.
The Nkrumaist – CPP tradition has the ability to lead Ghana. But we need to work hard and stay united to realize this potential, so that instead of a seemingly weak party, the CPP would be the party that stands at the fore front in the emancipation of our people.
In short, there should be a stir towards a new conscience, a new enthusiasm for the truth that marks the change for the progressives to ascend the seat of government in Ghana; by the application of Nkrumaism.
It is time for the Nkrumaist – CPP tradition to lead Ghana after groping in the dark for so long. It is time for the adoption of the Nkrumaist Development philosophy that relies on the capability of Ghanaians to develop the productive resources of our nation to satisfy our needs and export.
The clarion call being made by the Osagyefo Youth Movement to all who see the Let us unite to regain our lost glory. Let us be bold and patriotic enough, not to turn our backs to the CPP and its cherished ideals.
Let us join hands to raise Ghana high among the comity of nations again by regenerating or reviving Nkrumaism in Ghana.
The revival of Nkrumaism in Ghana by the Nkrumaist – CPP tradition, has the responsibility of underlying the causes and basis that has brought Ghana from a “shinning star” in the 1960, to a tottering nation groping in darkness in search for an economic magic wand.
The historical significance of the Nkrumaist – CPP tradition and the fact that the CPP won independence for Ghana and has Diaspora and international recognition as the party of Africa’s foremost illustrious son – Osagyefo Kwame Nkrumah – makes it imperative for all acclaimed Nkrumaists to get back to the fold of the CPP, and lift high the light of enlightenment which the Osagyefo lit.
Anyone who think and feel more important than the Nkrumaist – CPP tradition and Ghana as a nation, by kicking against the idea of uniting to revamp the CPP, by mischievously working underground for other opposing parties, must regard him or herself an enemy to the Nkrumaist cause.
We should therefore rise above our personal interest and desires in an effort to save our tradition from destruction.
It is time for serious Nkrumaists to demonstrate or exhibit sincerity, honesty, devotion, commitment and above all maturity in our quest to save the great Convention People’s Party and Ghana as a whole.
The purpose of the Osagyefo Youth Movement in this endeavour is the search for creative solutions to the perennial problem of disunity confronting the Nkrumaist – CPP tradition and a craving for “Rebirth of Thinking” of development strategies by our leaders.
Do not destroy the Nkrumaist – CPP tradition, for we are on the side of Angels!
The leadership of the Nkrumaist – CPP tradition should tune in to the demand of the public. Let us unite and test the sincerity of the Ghanaian electorate. We have to unite in order to hold aloft the light which the Osagyefo lit in Ghana and Africa.
This is the challenge of our time!
Long live Ghana – Long live the indomitable Nkrumaist – CPP tradition.