Ghana together with other countries across the globe, especially other African countries are celebrating the exemplary life and worthwhile contributions of a pan-africanist and former president of our great and interesting country. To show appreciation and respect of his great personality and immense inputs, the nation had awarded a large portion of space for his portrait photograph in our new currency note; the GH 2.


Having read his biography, I realised that Nkrumah made a lot of inputs into our socio-economic development and political emancipation. Working in concert with others, his efforts culminated in the attainment of our independence. To make such astounding strides in the history of the world calls for something transcendental. I believed Nkrumah got infected with something and it is that thing I would like to talk about. That something is AINS – Acquired Immuned Nkrumahist Syndrome.

• ACQUIRED – before Nkrumah made those enviable accomplishments, he went through a lot of learning processes, both academic and non-academic. He acquired ideas, learned from past experiences, and realised the essence of education. We, as the youth of this great country, must start to acquire useful ideas and knowledge to transform and improve our country. We must acquire the principles of selflessness, honesty, love, and entrenched patriotism. We must acquire a great sense of responsibility, respect each other, and imbibe the spirit of cleanliness. We must acquire the urge to fight for our rights, demand accountability and abhor injustice.

• IMMUNED – this aspect points to the act of imbibing into our immune system, elements that would sustain our internal motivation in our quest to self-actualise. It also includes the need to fear and surrender to GOD; to understand that he is the only one who can prepare lavish meals on grand tables for us in the presence of our oppressors, and grant us complete conquest. “We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; perplexed, but not forsaken; struck down but not destroyed” (2 Corinthians 4.8-9).

• NKRUMAHIST - there is much to be learned from the exemplary life of Nkrumah. As youth of this great country, it is important to emulate the positives and walk in the footsteps of Osagyefo to gain the experience and insight to liberate our country from its persisting socio-economic woes. Of course, I admit the ugly aspect of Nkrumah.

• SYNDROME – what shows that you are infected? Are you patriotic? Do you respect the sovereignty of our great country by standing still and reciting the national anthem upon hearing it? Do you keep your surrounding clean? Do you treat people equally irrespective of their socio-economic background? Well, if you have these and other nationalistic qualities, then you are absolutely infected with AINS.

However, if you test negative, strive to acquire it because it’s non-toxic, reinvigorating and nationalistic. Long live GH.