THE SOCIALIST FORUM OF GHANA (SFG)

Tel: 0574024781 Email:khakufo@gmail.com

STATEMENT BY THE SOCIALIST FORUM OF GHANA ON THE 46TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE DEATH
OF THE OSAGYEFO DR. KWAME NKRUMAH
On the solemn occasion of the 46th anniversary of the death of Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah
Founder of the modern Republic of Ghana, the Socialist Forum of Ghana rededicates itself
completely to the ideals of the Osagyefo; social Justice, deepening of national democratic
practice and economic prosperity.
For us, neither his death nor the overthrow of his government by the local forces of reaction
sponsored by the Central Intelligence Agency of the United States of America on February 24,
1966 can hold back the advances of the working people in Ghana and Africa towards the total
emancipation of Africans everywhere
One of the reasons for imperialism’s disparate moves to topple the Nkrumah government was
the giant strides which had been made by the newly independent Ghana, making it a shining
example of a decolonized state embarking on the path of socialist development. The level of
development in educational infrastructure and the expansion of access to education under
Nkrumah was phenomenal. According to statistical data from the Ministry of Education,
enrolment in primary schools increased from 102, 138 in 1950 to 456, and 290 in 1961 and to
1137,495 in 1966. Enrolment in 12 assisted Secondary schools and non-assisted schools
increased from 6,095 to 9,882 between 1951 and 1961. By 1966, enrolment in public secondary
schools had increased to 42,111. The Nkrumah government established many special schools in
the fields of journalism, agriculture, industry and medicine. It also opened two new university
colleges.
Hundreds of industries were established as part of the import substitution programme and to
provide jobs for the masses. Medical services were extended throughout the country with the
establishment of regional hospitals.The entire system of communications was vastly improved
by extending telephone and telegraphic lines, construction of new roads and bridges as well as
the construction of a new harbor at Tema and the extension of the TakoradiHarbour.
Today, the neo-colonial regimes that came after Nkrumah have put Ghana on the path to neo-
liberalism with dire consequences for the broad masses of our people. The natural resources of
Ghana remain mortgaged to multi-national corporations from the capitalist metropolis. The
unemployment situation continues to worsen, state –run enterprises have been auctioned off
to the least bidder and access to social services continues to decline for the vast majority of the
Ghana.
The AkufoAddo administration and the United States of America have agreed to impose a so-
called military co-operation agreement on the people of Ghana which devalue national
independence and allows the establishment of a US military base on African soil. This
development makes it possible for the military of the capitalist super powers to station its
soldiers in Ghana for the sole purpose of facilitating its domination and the unbridled
exploitation and theft of African resources. This move is also in flagrant disregard of Nkrumah’s
warning in 1963 that “if we do not unite and combine our military resources for common
defense, out of a sense of insecurity, we may be drawn into making defense pacts with foreign
powers which may endanger the security of us all”
On this occasion the SFG vows to steadfastly oppose the establishment of the US military base
in Ghana because it is an affront to national independence. In this connection we pledge to
work closely with all progressive forces to organize mass manifestations and engage in all forms
of legitimate protests against this outrage.

The life and work of our illustrious leader the Osagyefo should inspire all progressives to stand
up and answer to the fervent call for the protection of our sovereignty. We need to stand up
and hold aloft the banner of our independence fought for with the blood and sweat of our
fathers

The forces of progress in Africa have no alternative to constructive engagement in the battle
with underdevelopment, poverty and foreign imposition and we are sure that victory is certain

Yaw Appiah-Kubi

For Convenor