Nkrumah’s dream of continental government was resisted - Murtala Mohammed

Deputy Minister for Information and Media Relations, Murtala Mohammed, says Nkrumah’s efforts in the days leading to the formation of then Organisation of African Union, now African Union (AU) opened the doors of the country for freedom fighters on the continent, but they turned around to resist his dream of a continental government.

He said the unfortunate misconception that Dr Kwame Nkrumah had a hidden agenda to rule the whole continent was a major disruption in his dream for a united African front.

He believes that was the reason he faced major resistance from some heads of state on the continent.

Citing a book authored by Nelson Mandela, he said there was very little mention of Nkrumah and blamed it on wrong perceptions regarding his quest for an African government.

The Deputy Minister believes Muammar Gaddafi met the same fate in recent efforts towards an immediate continental government, saying though he was regarded a dictator, his vision should have been supported.

According to him, although countries such as Ivory Coast in the early days of Nkrumah’s fight for African unity, were “jealous” because they thought they should lead such a cause, Nkrumah’s legacy is clear for all to see.

Making his submissions on Radio Gold's Alhaji and Alhaji talk show Saturday, the deputy minister said as a result of the formation of the AU, African leaders are beginning to push for a stronger regional block to facilitate continental government, but that does not look good because of major disparities in the level of developments of some of these blocks.

He suggested that there should be the formation of one African military high command and a common trade for the continent to present a formidable force on the global stage.

“China, one country...which is more populated than the entire continent of Africa, they come out, and they have a force”, he cited.

He said though some critics say the AU has not achieved anything, the Africa Peer Review mechanism, the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD), and decline of coups on the continent are notable achievements by the AU.