Mahama’s rekindling Ghana’s Pan-African role echoing Nkrumah’s vision – P.L.O. Lumumba

Renowned Pan-Africanist Professor P. L. O. Lumumba says President John Dramani Mahama is helping to rekindle Ghana’s historic Pan-African role and revive aspects of the vision championed by Ghana’s first President, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah. Prof. Lumumba said Ghana was once regarded as a leading force in Africa’s liberation struggle under Nkrumah and argued that recent initiatives under President Mahama indicate that the country is beginning to reclaim that position. Speaking on Joy Prime on Wednesday, September 23, he particularly pointed to President Mahama’s engagement on the African continent, his international advocacy and Ghana’s efforts to strengthen relations with other African countries. “When I hear John Brahmani Mahama going to the United Nations and being in the forefront of the struggle for liberation, then I know that those are memories to my side.

So, Ghana is beginning to play that part,” Prof. Lumumba said. According to Prof. Lumumba, Nkrumah did not see Ghana’s independence as an isolated national achievement. He said the former president envisioned Ghana as a launching pad for the liberation and political unity of the entire African continent. “The Kwame Nkrumah wanted Ghana to be more than a nation-state. He wanted it to be a launching pad for African liberation and unity,” he said. Prof. Lumumba said this broader Pan-African outlook is reflected in some of Ghana’s current initiatives and diplomatic engagements. He cited Ghana’s role in continental institutions and its efforts to maintain relations with countries across West Africa as examples of the country once again looking beyond its national borders. Prof. Lumumba specifically praised Ghana’s approach to Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, saying efforts to engage the Sahelian states through dialogue…