Makerere honours Nkrumah Pan-Africanism efforts
Considered the Father of Ghana's Independence, he pioneered anti-colonial and socialist concepts, writing extensively on neo-colonialism and Western economic exploitation in Africa.
Prof. Gorettie Nabanoga, Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor in charge of Finance and Administration at Makerere University, delivers a keynote address at Makerere University. (Photo by Nickson Turyahikayo)
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Makerere University has honoured Kwame Nkrumah’s efforts in liberating and uniting Africa, with a call for the youth to actively take part in shaping the continent’s present and future prospects.
Ghanaian Nkrumah was a leading advocate for continental unity, a co-founder of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) in 1963, and a strong proponent of creating a united Africa.
Considered the Father of Ghana's Independence, he pioneered anti-colonial and socialist concepts, writing extensively on neo-colonialism and Western economic exploitation in Africa.
In Uganda, Makerere University named Nkrumah Hall and built a monument on its campus in honour of the late revolutionary. The university also holds annual Kwame Nkrumah Day celebrations to commemorate his Pan-African legacy.
'Africa needs ideas'
Assoc. Prof. Gorettie Nabanoga, the Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration, urged students not to see themselves as leaders of tomorrow but instead as citizens with responsibilities today.
She rallied them to use education as a tool to achieve Nkrumah’s vision of African excellence.
“Your education must become more than a personal passport to a better life. Ask yourself: 'What problem will my education enable me to solve? What will I build? What will I improve? Who will I serve?'
Nabanoga implored universities to produce knowledge that addresses African challenges, affirming that they should not remain consumers of knowledge produced elsewhere but must generate research and ideas rooted in African realities while maintaining global connections.
She said Africa must strengthen its economic sovereignty and technological capacity and not merely position itself as a supplier of raw materials but as a producer, innovator and global partner.
Joseph Ssekabira, the chairman of Makerere's Nkrumah Hall, called on students not to merely see Nkrumah’s legacy as a name on a gate, but as a flame of transformation.
“We should remember that he lived not for comfort but conviction. As youth, we still have roles to play in confronting dependency and self-doubt that continue to plague our continent."
Ssekabira hailed the university administration for continuing to uplift Nkrumah’s legacy, as he is still an inspiration to many young people on the continent.