What Amiri Baraka Said About Kwame Nkrumah (9)

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• francis kwarteng 11 years ago

  Correction: I forgot to add Leopold Senghor.
  
  Nkrumah’s “Ghana: The Autobiography of Kwame Nkrumah,” Jomo Kenyatta’s “Facing Mount Kenya,” Leopold Senghor’s “Ouvre Poetique,” and Nelson Mandela’s “Long ...
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  Correction: I forgot to add Leopold Senghor.
  
  Nkrumah’s “Ghana: The Autobiography of Kwame Nkrumah,” Jomo Kenyatta’s “Facing Mount Kenya,” Leopold Senghor’s “Ouvre Poetique,” and Nelson Mandela’s “Long Walk to Freedom.”
  
  
  No other Ghanaian president or prime minister was accorded this level of respect by the international team that assembled and ranked Africa’s most influential scholarly works of the 20th century!
  
  
  The Following were the other Ghanaians who made the lis:
  
  Aside that, Ama Ata Aido’s “Anowa,” Ayi Kwei Armah’s “The Beautyful Ones Are Not Yet Born,” Kwame A. Appiah’s “In My Father’s House,” Meshak Asare’s “Sosu’s Call,” J.E. Casely-Hayford’s “Ethiopia Unbound,” and Efua Dorkenoo’s “Cutting the Rose” also made it to the final list.
  
  Thanks

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• KOLA, LONDON PROPER 11 years ago

  Ironically, it still comes as a surprise to some observers that both Nkrumah and his collectivity of self-styled democratic opponents, Busia, JB Danquah, Afrifa, and others, men used by the West and driven by an unhealthy que ...
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  Ironically, it still comes as a surprise to some observers that both Nkrumah and his collectivity of self-styled democratic opponents, Busia, JB Danquah, Afrifa, and others, men used by the West and driven by an unhealthy quest for underserved power, underestimated the political power of the West (See Dr. Kwame Botwe-Asamoah’s “The Politics of J.B Danquah’s Heroic Legacy,” (l)-(V); see also his essay “K.A. Busia: His Politics of Demagoguery,” “Kwame Nkrumah: The One and Only Founding Father,” all published on Ghanaweb

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• Bossman Antwi 11 years ago

  It is clear that you have a lot to say about the topics on which you write; but for heaven's sake, shorten these opinion pieces so you can attract readers.
  
  It is difficult for people to sit down and peep at the desk top to ...
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  It is clear that you have a lot to say about the topics on which you write; but for heaven's sake, shorten these opinion pieces so you can attract readers.
  
  It is difficult for people to sit down and peep at the desk top to read this kind of lengthy material from you.
  
  My brother, consider also giving other titles to your opinion pieces other than this trite and stilted one. Unless you have a captive audience to religiously read all these serialized articles, you can't claim to be doing a good job with this title being kept throughout. And this is the 9th in the series.
  
  ARE YOU WRITING AN ENCYCLOPAEDIA ON THIS TOPIC ALONE? COME ON, MAN, CHANGE YOUR STYLE A BIT!!

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• jay 11 years ago

  Agreed. It is too much. How can a medical doctor like myself or any busy person spend time reading this. Please come again shorter.

  Agreed. It is too much. How can a medical doctor like myself or any busy person spend time reading this. Please come again shorter.

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• Afriyie 11 years ago

  That's what some of us have been telling him for ages but he doesn't listen. He thinks we hate him or don't like his subject matter. His argument is that some people read and commend him, therefore he's doing well and cannot/ ...
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  That's what some of us have been telling him for ages but he doesn't listen. He thinks we hate him or don't like his subject matter. His argument is that some people read and commend him, therefore he's doing well and cannot/must not do better.

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• Obournana 11 years ago

  I would be very happy if hypocrit and educated illiterate Okoampah Ahoofe will come out with his Akyem ideas to counter this well organised and proven with quotes of various authors article. Thank you Francis. You have made m ...
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  I would be very happy if hypocrit and educated illiterate Okoampah Ahoofe will come out with his Akyem ideas to counter this well organised and proven with quotes of various authors article. Thank you Francis. You have made my day because no matter what the perpetrators of Nkrumah do, they can never outdo our man of the millenium. Nation wreckers family spokesmen, come out with your lies.

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• Mozato 11 years ago

  I have repented for haven ever supported the overthrow of the ultimate and the all time greatest Blackman that ever lived on this planet earth after reading this heavy loaded essay of skillful columnist, Kwarteng.When I co ...
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  I have repented for haven ever supported the overthrow of the ultimate and the all time greatest Blackman that ever lived on this planet earth after reading this heavy loaded essay of skillful columnist, Kwarteng.When I compare all that Nkrumah did the short time he ruled to the near twenty years rule of Rawlings and the five years of Mills-Mahama and Mahama- Amissah Arthur, then it is understatement to suggest that Ghana had been and is, indeed, now being govern by 'visionless', clueless and shallow minded idiots who have no business to have entered our political landscape. Kuffour's did his best because, at least, he came up with something new, like the NHIS, which is his own brainchild but the rest, under this current republic, are just fruit cakes. Also all those Nkrumaist who now found and proud themselves to be part of the blood soaked Atinga-Trokosi NDC party of Rawlings (now Asiedu "kwasia bi nti" Nketia and Anita "the dwarf"Disoso NDC) are lost 'sheeps' and complete reprobates.

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• TEE 11 years ago

  NKRUMAH NEVER DIES. FORWARD EVER BACK WARDS NEVER

  NKRUMAH NEVER DIES. FORWARD EVER BACK WARDS NEVER

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• Antiochus - London 11 years ago

  Since independence till present era, Nkrumah is the only visionary leader we've had in Ghana. The rest are all liabilities for our country.

  Since independence till present era, Nkrumah is the only visionary leader we've had in Ghana. The rest are all liabilities for our country.

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• Ekow 11 years ago

  Brother Kwarteng, that is a good write-up. I will however suggestion that you do short articles of not more than 1500 words which is about 2 pages long. Ideally if you want an article to have impart on people’s minds on a s ...
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  Brother Kwarteng, that is a good write-up. I will however suggestion that you do short articles of not more than 1500 words which is about 2 pages long. Ideally if you want an article to have impart on people’s minds on a site like Ghanaweb, the most you may write is between 1000 and 1500 words. Why am I saying this? Just read the comments that are passed on Ghanaweb: it tells you that about 70% of the people commenting are products of our dysfunctional bogus educational system forced on us by the Breton Woods institutions. The citations will not benefit them. When you want to destroy a country these days you don’t need to haul bombs at them, you destroy their educational system, period; and that is what the West as a group has been successful at. You create confusion, then a need, then a solution. And who better offers you the solution than the one who orchestrated the confusion that brought about the need? Just check the calibre of decision makers of the country.
  
  Start from the teachers, police, judges, political leaders and appointees etc. it tells you that the Ghana is a failed country. There is no law and order. People have become self-centred. No one fears God, they pretentiously worship Him. The country has virtually given away its natural resources. There is no healthcare system, the political leaders go to seek medical help outside the country and the 99.5% die of common ailments. They youth have no education, collective national inheritance and therefore have no hope. We even import tooth pick. Politically we have lost the bearing as any blockheaded person thinks he/she can go into politics or take the Bible as profession. If a country could sign deals to receive 3-5% from its gold/diamond, 16% from its oil, and a cheap deal from north/south divide trade agreements (WTO) of Cocoa (its main natural resources) it is very serious, laughable and an indictment on the intellect of those who made these deals on our behalf. It is a BIG SHAME on us as a country. Brother Kwarteng where in this World would you see a country that honours one (Kotoka) who destroyed a hero and founder of that same country? Meanwhile this same hero is celebrated every year in the country. It is insane and it tells you that people and the country are very confused.
  
  When Kotoka, Ankra, Afrifa sold the country of their birth and when Busia put his personal egos ahead of the nation what happened? Then came Acheampong/Akuffo who thought administering a country was like selling cars by the street corner. As for Rawlings the little said about him the better. He is one of the reasons why Ghana has failed. And I sometimes think people like Rawlings, Kwesi Botchwey, P V Obeng, Sam Jonah and others should be brought to book. Kuffour and his looting brigade were to make matters worse as they pushed Ghana completely to the ditch. Mills and Mahama COULD NOT and CANNOT fix the country. They are just attending to a dead country prepping it for burial.
  For the country to come back to life, it must be reborn and none of these two political parties (NDC/NPP) has a clue. If you and I are alive in the next twenty years, you will look for me and tell me I was right in my assessment. Unless the unthinkable or a miracle happens politically, Ghana cannot be reborn.

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• ' and Jesus wept ' 11 years ago

  Much as I enjoy your write ups which are very educative and informative, I fall in the group of your dedicated and truthful admirers in this forum who support the idea of shortening the writings but continuing under different ...
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  Much as I enjoy your write ups which are very educative and informative, I fall in the group of your dedicated and truthful admirers in this forum who support the idea of shortening the writings but continuing under different topics. I believe that will season and add more flavor to your style of writings and draw yet more readers to participate in this insatiable appetite for vital information you share with us. The young ones especially need to know the truth about this fine man and what he stood for here in Ghana and Africa in general and what the enemies of the state did to derail his good intentions, drove him away until he finally met his demise in Guinea. We appreciate you very much. Keep it coming.

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• Nii Ashitey 11 years ago

  Some of us believe in the themes articulated by this writer and the way he develops them to a great crescendo.From education to culture to philosophy he ties his argument to to Nkrumah's take and vision on them and how when p ...
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  Some of us believe in the themes articulated by this writer and the way he develops them to a great crescendo.From education to culture to philosophy he ties his argument to to Nkrumah's take and vision on them and how when properly taped will benefit Ghana, Africa and the black race.
  
  His rebuttal of some of the false claims made by some anti Nkrumaist make it necessary for this matter, the need to justify all his points with the facts and evidence available to him.This might have been misunderstood as probably too academic,too long and cumbersome reading to others.
  
  personally I like the themes and that is what I comment on.I have nothing against the observation of the Afriyies but that is their focus.My focus is that these articles are great ones and deserve compliments and encouragement.

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• Afriyie 11 years ago

  Nii, have you observed that all those who have complained about the length of Kwarteng's articles have said nothing against his choice of topic? They also like and enjoy the subject matter but have clearly shown that they are ...
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  Nii, have you observed that all those who have complained about the length of Kwarteng's articles have said nothing against his choice of topic? They also like and enjoy the subject matter but have clearly shown that they are not enjoying the writing process. These are two different things.
  
  You argue that he needs so many words to rebutt the anti Nkrumahists but some of us read the same things and see so much unnecessary baggage in his output. That is what we are against. I don't know what you tell the students you supervise, Nii, - that they can write as many words as they want to. If that's what you do, then you'll not be teaching them to be EFFECTIVE writers. I suppose you sit on some editorial boards yourself and I wonder if you pass such writing for publication.
  
  Kwarteng clearly needs to be an effective writer by knowing WHAT TO LEAVE OUT and still making the same argument. People like you, Nii, are not helping him to realise this goal.
  
  If Kwarteng wants to write a book length treatise (encyclopaedia, in someone's comical formulation) on the subject, he can go ahead and do so and seek to have it published but ghanaweb is hardly the place for him to serialize that Edward Gibbon type volume in so many huge chunks. 95% of the visitors who come to ghanaweb are either at work, on their way to work, rushing to work, on break at work, tired after the day's work, and want to read as many of the good articles as they can in the short time they have. They will appreciate short straight to the point articles. Kwarteng is not the only person they read and they won't want to use the time they can expend reading six articles on reading just one article by Kwarteng which already has 8 parts and still promises more. They either read him badly or not at all.
  
  Nii, it is not the subject matter that is the problem with Kwarteng but his writing process of needing to say (basically historical facts) in 100,000 words when he could have made the same points in 6,000. And I expect people like you, Nii, who is a friend to him to to tell him to try to be more effective, terse and succint in his writing not goad him on in his verbal excesses. You're not helping him by closing your eyes on his writing style and saying you're only concerned with his subject matter and try to divorce form from content. What kind of a friend is that? As for me, I am clearly more concerned abou Kwarteng being a better writer than the subject he chooses to write on or the argument he makes which, like you, I have no problem with. I want to read him but he must make his articles more reader-friendly!!! Many others will appreciate that too!

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• Emma 11 years ago

  they are idiots; stop casting pearls in front of swine.

  they are idiots; stop casting pearls in front of swine.

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• Wabee 11 years ago

  Let me make it known to all that,as Kwame Nkrumah was busy using ghana money for all these follish Africa things, Koreas were busy investing in good education, Tell me any good school Kwame Nkrumah biult after independence is ...
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  Let me make it known to all that,as Kwame Nkrumah was busy using ghana money for all these follish Africa things, Koreas were busy investing in good education, Tell me any good school Kwame Nkrumah biult after independence is ii better than Achimota, This satan who manage to come and rule Ghana you people still call his name. Because of mentioned this devil name in Ghana that is why Ghana is what it is today.

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• Kofi Osei 11 years ago

  News
  ?EU fear of GM food from US hampers historic trade deal
  March 13, 2014 00:10
  
  Reuters / David Mdzinarishvili
  An ‘enormous gulf’ has been exposed between the EU and the US through Europe’s reluctance to buy hor ...
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  News
  ?EU fear of GM food from US hampers historic trade deal
  March 13, 2014 00:10
  
  Reuters / David Mdzinarishvili
  An ‘enormous gulf’ has been exposed between the EU and the US through Europe’s reluctance to buy hormone meat or GM food from the US. Industry and labor groups voiced concern to EU and US negotiators that the globe’s biggest trade pact was under threat.
  “There is an enormous gulf between the EU and US positions,” said Michael Dolan, a lobbyist for the US Teamsters Union at the fourth round of trade talks between the EU and US in Brussels on Wednesday.
  The talks marked an unusual occasion, being the first time that lobbyists were received, and additionally marking the first time that the forum allowed reporters inside.
  Those involved in negotiating a pact have expressed a desire to finalize a deal before the end of the year. Eight months of talks have already passed. However, tensions which have underscored trade talks worldwide have been a drawback, and continued low public support for the deal has exacerbated tensions over food.
  Despite this, its supporters say the deal would lead to some $100 billion per year in growth on both sides, and the EU says that ‘Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership’ (TTIP) is under threat from protesters it deems ‘anti-globalization’.
  In 2012, the EU exported $16.6 billion in farm produce to the US, while US farmers delivered $9.9 billion to Europe. The gap was largely blamed on the EU ban on GM food imports.
  “Our trade could be way bigger,” Douglas Nelson, a CropLife America adviser told Reuters. “The TTIP is a way to normalize trade with the European Union.”
  However, EU Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht frequently reasserts that there will be no changes to the EU regulation of GM food even if an agreement is reached with the US.
  The EU is also closed to US beef from cattle raised with growth hormones.
  On March 10, the UK’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) secretary, Owen Paterson, added his backing to an EU proposal that may prompt the fast-tracking of GM crops for commercial cultivation in the country.
  Greenpeace, Friends of the Earth, GM Freeze, the Soil Association and GeneWatch UK added their signatures to a letter to UK Prime Minister David Cameron condemning the plans.
  GeneWatch UK director, Helen Wallace, stated that Monsanto and other GM companies were “desperate to push their GM crops into other countries before the devastating impacts on wildlife and farming destroy existing markets,” according to local publication Farmers Weekly.

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• Seidu Ismaila 11 years ago

  Wabee,are you one of the babies on this web or you are one of the grown-up IDIOTS?

  Wabee,are you one of the babies on this web or you are one of the grown-up IDIOTS?

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