Nkrumah's overthrow orchestrated by imperialist forces - Kwesi Pratt

Accra, Feb. 24, GNA - Mr. Kwesi Pratt Jnr., Managing Editor of Insight Newspaper, on Wednesday said Dr Kwame Nkrumah's overthrow was orchestrated by forces who wanted to curtail the consciousness he was creating among Africans.

He said the February 24, 1966 coup de'tat was not executed because of his alleged dictatorship or one party system.

Mr. Pratt made the observation at a forum organised by the African Diaspora Coalition of Ghana in collaboration with the National Planning Committee for Kwame Nkrumah Centenary celebration in Accra. It was on the theme "Dr Nkrumah's Relationship with Africans in the Diaspora," to mark the 44th anniversary of the overthrow of Ghana's first president.

The forum was preceded with a 40-minute documentary on the "Spiritual Resurrection of Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah and Africans in the Diaspora". Mr. Pratt said the task ahead of Africa was enormous and urged African Leaders to ensure the provision of potable water, improved health facilities, education and roads for the people. "We have done enough of the talking, enough is enough, it is about time we act now," he said.

Ms. Affiong L. Affiong, a Pan-Africanist said the liberation struggle on the continent was still outstanding and the 1966 coup d'etat was not only against Ghana but the entire African continent and liberation movement. She said Dr Nkrumah's vision and the liberation struggle for Africa would continue to make him great many years after his overthrow. Ms. Affiong called for the institutionalisation of the works and vision of Dr Nkrumah to liberate the minds of Africans.

She noted that the youth who are the future leaders of Africa were ignorant about the legacies of the past including the fact that Dr Nkrumah was a global person who promoted the African personality. Dr Hamet Maulaud, Editor of Outreach Programme on Osagyefo Relationship to African Diaspora said Dr Nkrumah's vision for Ghana's independence was greatly influenced by his educational and political experience while living and schooling among African Americans in the US and Britain. He said Dr Nkrumah invited many skilful and intellectual Africans in the Diaspora to come and settle in Ghana to assist him develop the nation.