Removing 2 cedi note with Kwame Nkrumah's face an attempt to erase him from history - GUM accuses govt

Founder and leader of the Ghana Union Movement, Christian Kwabena Andrews, has chastised the ruling New Patriotic Party government and President Akufo-Addo for the treatment they have accorded to Dr Kwame Nkrumah.

In an interview with UTV on July 18, 2024, Christian Andrews, who is popularly called Osofo Kyiri Abosom, said the ruling government would be held accountable for deliberately attempting to erase any memories of the former president.

“When Nana Addo came what happened? He phased out the 2 cedi note which bore the image of Dr Kwame Nkrumah. He has even changed the Republic Day all because they do not like Nkrumah.

“…The way they are treating and mocking Nkrumah doesn’t surprise me. I know them and I know someday they will account for it,” he said.

Expressing his views on Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh’s recent remarks about Ghana’s first president, Christian Andrews emphasised that the achievements of Dr Kwame Nkrumah cannot be erased, regardless of any efforts by the government.

He asserted that the name ‘Osagyefo’ was bestowed on Dr Kwame Nkrumah because of his hard work and developmental achievements as president.

“The airport we use to travel abroad was built by Kwame Nkrumah, Tema port was built by Dr Kwame Nkrumah, which today we are able to import our cars for use. The name Osagyefo was bestowed on him by the late Asantehene for his achievements and hard work after he went to inaugurate the Kumasi city. So, if his (NAPO) ancestors gave him the name Osagyefo and he claims Kwame Nkrumah didn’t achieve anything, it doesn’t surprise me,” he said.

It will be recalled that during his unveiling as the running mate for the NPP at the Jubilee Park in Kumasi on July 9, Dr Opoku Prempeh (NAPO), while addressing a gathering, said “Since independence in 1957, no president has helped Ghana as much as Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. From 1957 to now, not even your Kwame Nkrumah has moved Ghana forward and protected it like Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.”

He however rendered an apology for this statement after several backlash.

MAG/ ADG