Kwame Nkrumah was a visionary for his time. In his lifetime, he was known the world over. He gave many quotes which are attributed to him.

Today, pick a few lessons from three quotes he said. Even though he said these in a different century, time and place from where we now are, they all have elements of truth which are relevant to us today.

Lessons

1. On related goals

“The independence of Ghana is meaningless unless it is linked up with the total liberation of Africa.”

This is one of the most famous quotes he may have ever given and for which he is known. He said this on Ghana’s independence. His vision extended beyond the borders of Ghana. He saw the independence of Ghana as the starting point. And true to his word, other African countries subsequently gained their independence. This quote reflects his belief in Pan-Africanism and the importance of solidarity among African countries.

How it relates to us:

Our struggles are all linked. We should do it if we can lift another person or help them somewhere. In achieving a year-end target, remember that we are all in this together. It is one for all and all for one!

2. On unity

“The forces that unite us are intrinsic and greater than the superimposed influences that keep us apart.”

Another quote similar on the heels of the previous one was this quote. This statement is found in his book, “Africa Must Unite”. It highlights his conviction that the shared history and culture of Africa were far more powerful than the divisions created by colonialism. It shows why he went to great lengths to form the Organization of African Unity (OAU).

How it relates to us:

How many times do we impose superficial boundaries around ourselves and those around us? It takes nothing away from you to greet someone. With that small effort, you can start to build a brotherhood or sisterhood of like-minded persons. Just like how Kwame Nkrumah envisioned a united Africa we should be endeavored to create united families and workforce. Remember that a single broomstick can be broken but several broomsticks which come to together to make a broom is almost impossible to break apart.

3. On not picking sides

“We face neither East nor West; we face forward.”

This quote was given at a time when many newly independent African nations were pressured to align with either the Western bloc or the Eastern bloc. Kwame Nkrumah’s stance was neutrality. He emphasizes that Africa’s path should be determined by its interests and aspirations.

How it relates to us:

Today, world leaders are also pestered to take sides. Interestingly, the issues are never straightforward. They all have their complexities. Which means no one person is right or wrong. Thus, now just like then, it might be best to maintain the same neutral stance. In Ghana, we have a saying “Di wo fie asem”. It looks like this local saying has a lot of wisdom behind it all these years.

Conclusion

He may have died in 1972, but his legacy lives on through some of these quotes that he left us. His words are a reminder of that. Even though I could have picked from other quotes of his like;

• Those who would judge us merely by the heights we have achieved would do well to remember the depths from which we started.
• Freedom is not something that one person can bestow on another as a gift. They claim it as their own and one can keep it from them.

And many more, I believe these three have some immediately relevance to us today. In short, today’s quotes.

• Encourage us to work together.
• Remind us that our neighbor or brother’s problem should also be our problem.
• Sometimes staying objective and unaligned is the best move to take.

This is my simple interpretation of his sayings. I will also be happy read your own interpretations of these sayings. If you would also like to share your own sayings you like from Ghana’s first president, then please share your comments and thoughts with me. I will be happy to read them.

Thank you.