The Extent of Ghana Empire’ Progress

To what extent our progress is, and what is the direction for our nation, our Mother Land Ghana is moving towards once a shining star in Africa? The ancient Ghana Empire, which existed from 1830 C.E to 1235, gave rise to the name Ghana for the region located in the western part of Africa. The empire’s prosperity was largely due to the expansion of trade through the Trans-Sahara Trade route, bringing wealth and influence to West Africa.

The Portuguese were the first European explorers to reach the shores of Ghana in 1471, led by Don Diogo de Azambuja. They initially named the land Mina, reflecting the abundant gold deposits found from the Ankobra River to the Volta River. Subsequently, the British renamed the area Gold Coast.

From the 1500s to the 1950s, Ghana endured the hardships of both the slave trade and colonialism.

In 1947, the educated elite of Gold Coast initiated the concept of self-governance and formed the United Gold Coast Convention (U.G.C.C). Dr. Kwame Nkrumah was later appointed as the General Secretary of the U.G.C.C. In 1949, Dr. Nkrumah established the Convention People’s Party (C.P.P) after breaking away from the U.G.C.C. The C.P.P emerged victorious in the initial general elections organized by the British in 1951.

In 1957, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah successfully led Ghana to independence from colonial rule and renamed the country Ghana. Ghana became the first black African nation to achieve political independence. By 1960, Ghana had transitioned into a republic. This marked the birth of the modern Ghana, with aspirations for a prosperous nation and improved living standards for its citizens, aiming to overcome the scars of the past.

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The declaration of independence attracted notable figures from around the globe, including Richard Nixon, the Vice President of the United States at the time, and Martin Luther King Jr., a prominent civil rights activist. Ghana, as a newly independent state, hosted the inaugural Pan African Congress conference in 1958, advocating for the liberation of other African nations still under colonial rule and proposing the establishment of a continental union government, the United States of Africa.

After achieving political independence, Ghana shifted its focus towards attaining economic independence. Dr. Nkrumah emphasized the significance of economic independence alongside political independence, stating that the former is essential for social reconstruction. From 1957 onwards, Ghana embarked on its industrial revolution in order to achieve economic independence. Numerous factories and foundries, totaling 68, were established during this period, including the Tomato Factory, Glass Factory, GIHOC Distilleries, Steel Factories, Cement Factory, Jute Factory, Shoe Factory, and the Cocoa Board (formerly known as the cocoa marketing company). Additionally, the West African Mills Kade matches Factory, Komenda Sugar Factory, and Tema oil Refinery were also built.

To support Ghana’s industrial revolution, Kwame Nkrumah founded the University of Science and Technology to produce academically trained individuals with technical expertise. The establishment of the University of Cape Coast aimed to produce teachers for the future generation’s academic development.

READ: FULL STORY: How Ghana Gained Independence In 1957

During this era, the government established polytechnics in every region and constructed basic and secondary schools across the country. Furthermore, the government provided free education to its citizens.

In the 1950s, the government constructed the Tema harbor and established the Black Star line, a shipping line that was fully controlled by Ghanaians. Ghana trained its own engineers to operate the Black Star line, which was intended to export the products manufactured by the various factories in the country.

In 1963, Ghana established the first African gliding school in Afienya to train its own pilots for its national airline, Ghana Airways, which was established in 1958. The gliding school also trained pilots from other countries, and Ghanaian pilots gained recognition as some of the best in the world. Notably, the gliding school ranked as the third best piloting school globally at that time.

When Ghana Airways first landed at Heathrow Airport in London, it was the first time the world had seen an airline established by an African country and wholly operated by Africans trained in Africa. It was unprecedented in world’s history at the time.

Two years prior to the completion of the Akosombo Dam, Ghana had commissioned two subsidiary dams i.e. the Bui Dam and the Akuse Dam. The atomic energy plant has also been commissioned. Dr. Nkrumah had instructed the directors of the atomic plant to research into solar energy because according to Dr. Nkrumah, Ghana wanted to have cheap and abundant power to industrialize.

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Talking about progress, uring this era of rapid significant growth and development, Ghana was years ahead of many countries around the world. At this era a country like Dubai was considered one of the poorest countries in world, today can anyone compare Ghana to Dubai?

Charles Kumi Gyamfi, a Ghanaian footballer and coach who was the first African to play in Germany became the coach of the Black Stars in 1961. Ghana has invested in him to play and train as a coach at Fortuna Dusseldorf in Germany and came back to coach the Black Stars and won the 1963, 1965 and 1982 African Cup of Nations.

Can the same Ghana progress be said about the current Black Stars?

In 1966, the government of Dr. Nkrumah was overthrown in a military coup by the National Liberation Movement (NLM), which later became the National Liberation Council (NLC). They seized power and took control of the country. In 1969, Kofi Abrefa Busia was elected as the president of the second republic of Ghana.

However, Busia’s rule was short-lived. In 1972, Ghana experienced another military coup led by the National Redemption Council, headed by General Kutu Acheampong. They took over the country and launched “operation feed yourself,” resulting in a bumper harvest and excess food for export. The Acheampong government received high praise, but it was eventually overthrown in a palace coup, and Fred Akuffo assumed control of the government.

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In 1979, another group of military men, led by Ft Lt Rawlings, staged yet another coup and returned the country to civilian rule. An election was held, with the Popular Front Party (P.F.P) led by Victor Owusu, the United National Conversation (U.N.C) led by William Ofori Atta, the Action Congress Party (A.C.P) led by Frank Bernasko, and the People National Party (P.N.P) led by Dr. Hilla Limann all contesting. Dr. Limann emerged as the winner and became the President of the third republic. However, his government was also short-lived, as in 1981, the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) led by JJ Rawlings toppled the government.

In 1992, Ghana transitioned back to civil rule. The fourth republic elections featured four main contenders, with the National Democratic Congress (N.D.C) led by Rawlings and the New Patriotic Party (N.P.P) led by Albert Adu Boahen as the main protagonists. The N.D.C emerged victorious, with Rawlings winning the 1996 elections once again.

The 2000 elections saw the N.P.P, led by John Agyekum Kuffour, come into power. Kuffour, who had previously served as Deputy Foreign Minister in Busia’s government, secured a second term in the 2004 elections. In 2008, the N.D.C, led by Prof Atta Mills, took over the presidency. Following Prof Mills’ passing while in office, his vice, John Mahama, assumed the role of president. President Mahama won the 2012 elections but was defeated in 2016, leading to the N.P.P, led by Akuffo Addo, taking power.

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Since 1966, Ghana has experienced limited infrastructure and socio-economic development. All 68 factories have ceased operations, and both the Black Star Line and Ghana Airways are no longer operational.

Once a shining star and a beacon of progress in Africa, Ghana has now fallen behind many other African nations.

To what extent and progress are? What is the direction for our nation (Our Mother Land Ghana) is moving towards?