Minority should not impede economic progress - K. B. Asante

Accra, Nov. 27, GNA - Mr K. B. Asante, a retired Diplomat,

on Friday reminded Ghanaians of Dr Kwame Nkrumah's

philosophy of not allowing the minority to impede the economic

and social progress of the majority. "Nkrumah believed that through their domination not only of

the means of production and distribution but also the media, the

minority should not be allowed to obstruct development," Mr

Asante stated at the climax of a five-day public lecture organised

by the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences (GAAS) in Accra. The lectures were to mark the 51 Founder's Week harangue on

the general theme: "Climate Change," which was chaired by

Professor Reginald Fraser Amonoo, GAAS President. Speaking on the theme: "Nkrumah's Political Philosophy and

the Development of Ghana," Mr Asante noted: "Nkrumah was

human and he made mistakes but his achievements were great. "His selflessness deserves emulation. His singleness of purpose

demands attention. He has led us to create one nation with one

destiny despite our bickering today. "Nkrumah showed us that we can stand on our feet and

demand respect from all; that Ghanaians can from the sweat of

their brows and not from outside largesse, make this country

strong, prosperous and great". Mr Asante, founder of erstwhile Social Democratic Front

(SDF), said the first President translated his dream into reality not

only through any ideological circle, but by recognizing the hard

facts, taking advantage of situations, and creating conditions to

make his dreams materialize. "Dr Nkrumah realized early that the revolution he dreamed of

could not be successful with the unsatisfactory state of education.

He therefore embarked on a programme for rapid capacity

building beginning with elementary education for all at a time when

facilities were woefully inadequate. "Dr Nkrumah brushed criticisms aside and supported the use of

untrained teachers. Criticisms about the inadequacy of other

facilities did not dissuade him. "By pushing through the accelerated and other educational

programmes, Dr Nkrumah answered the yearning desire of the

people of the Gold Coast. At the same time he laid the foundation

for the realization of his vision of cities springing up in the new

Ghana as Metropolis of Science, Learning, Scientific, Agriculture,

Industries and Philosophy". He said the first President built the University of Science and

Technology as a major organ for research and development while

the problems in education were to be dealt with by the University

of Cape Coast. Other educational establishment includes training colleges,

Ghana Medical School, which was built by Ghanaian academics. Mr Asante noted that the problems, which ensued, have

bedeviled Ghana's education up to date because "we failed to

solve them long after Nkrumah left the scene". He said Dr Nkrumah encouraged achievements by Africans to

be publicized and sometimes even exaggerated."Dr Nkrumah

promoted the African Personality of a proud, confident people

relying mainly on themselves to build on a past which had its

glories and tribulations, to establish a bright future. "In this regard, he set the example at the outset by regarding

himself as a leader and behaving like a Head of State and

Government of any major power. He never accepted any inferior

status". Other sub-themes for the week were: "Climate Change

Scenarios," "Challenges to Human Survival," "Climate Change

and Human Health," Climate Change and Agriculture," "Policy

Response to Climate and Food Security in Semi-arid Zones of

Ghana," and "The Way Forward".