Professor Agyeman Badu Akosa, a former Presidential aspirant of the Convention People’s Party (CPP) and a renowned pathologist, has called on Nkrumaists and members of the CPP to align themselves with the National Democratic Congress (NDC). According to him, the NDC is the major political party that best embodies the ideological principles of the Nkrumaist tradition in contemporary Ghanaian politics.
Speaking in an interview with Talking Africa, Prof. Akosa expressed deep concern over the minimal impact that Nkrumaists have had on Ghana’s political landscape in recent decades. He highlighted the persistent fragmentation among Nkrumaists and the repeated failures to establish a significant presence in national politics.
“This is where we are in national politics. I know that a lot of my contemporaries believe that we can come together. But for how long? I contested in 2007, and from 2007 to 2025, that is 18 years. We’ve not made any jot on the political scene. So, should we wait for another 25 years, 50 years?” he questioned, emphasizing the urgency for political realignment.
Justification for Nkrumaists Joining the NDC
Prof. Akosa argued that historical and ideological factors make the NDC a natural home for Nkrumaists. He pointed out that former President Jerry John Rawlings, who founded the NDC, was responsible for the political divide that emerged after overthrowing President Hilla Limann’s government in 1981. However, he believes that with Rawlings and Limann both deceased, it is time for Nkrumaists to rethink their political strategy.
“The NDC today is the closest to an Nkrumaist tradition. Why don’t we support it to succeed?” he asked, implying that ideological similarities between the two groups outweigh past grievances.
Criticism of the NPP’s Governance
Prof. Akosa was also highly critical of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government, describing its last eight years in power as disastrous. He cited economic challenges, governance issues, and political mismanagement as reasons why the NPP lost favor with the electorate in the last general elections.
“We’ve had eight terrible years of the elephant in the room. If, by dint of hard work, the elephant has now been sent back to its domain, as my dear friend Arthur Kennedy put it, why are we hesitant to assist this government to succeed?” he remarked, reinforcing his call for Nkrumaists to support the current NDC administration.
A Selfless Call for Political Unity
Prof. Akosa made it clear that his call for Nkrumaists to align with the NDC is not driven by personal ambition or political gains. He stressed that he has managed well outside of active politics since 2007 and is advocating for this move purely in the interest of national development and intellectual contribution.
“I am not saying this because I want any position. I have survived from 2007 to now quite well and can continue to do so. But any country that is not prepared to harvest its intellectual might is not going anywhere too soon,” he stated.
His comments have sparked discussions within political circles, with some agreeing with his analysis while others remain skeptical about the feasibility of such a move. Whether Nkrumaists will heed his call remains to be seen, but his remarks highlight the ongoing debate over political alliances and ideological realignment in Ghana.
