The University of Cape Coast (UCC) has begun its 11th Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Lectures at the university’s Main Auditorium on Monday, September 19,2016.
The 3 day lecture, which is on the theme “Africa Must Rise”, has the Chancellor of University of Cape Coast, Sir Dr. Sam Esson Jonah as its chairman.
The Guest Speaker, Professor P. L.O Lumumba, a renowned professor of Public Law, who spoke on the topic “Political Re-awakening” touched on the history and legacy of the first president of Ghana, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, whom this lecture is dedicated to.
He reiterated the need for re-awakening African politics while highlighting on the various politics practised in many African countries.
Professor Lumumba, who has strong convictions that Africa has the capacity to change the Continent and even the world, however stated that if Africans do not do anything about their politics, Africa will go nowhere. He therefore encouraged all to do their best to conduct their affairs differently and change their political culture.
“Today, there are two types of people who look at Africa – the Afro-pessimist and the Afro-optimist. The Afro- pessimist take the view that African is god forsaken, that Africa will go nowhere, that Africa will only be human by other civilization, those are the Afro-pessimist. Then there are those who take the view that Africa is now the eyes, that Africa can realize their potentials, that Africa with our 1.1 billion people is capable, in the next 50 years, of competing with other civilization. I am myself an Afro-optimist”, he explained.
He further explained that African politics has a direct effect on her economy and therefore advised that Africans elect the right leaders.
“History has demonstrated times without number that until and unless you get your politics right, you never get it right in your economy”, professor Lumumba said.
He advised that the African electorates must also be educated. This, he believes, will liberate Africa from the kind of politics that has held her down.
“Africa must recognize that if Africa is to survive, the electorates must also be educated. It appears that formal education – the kind of education where we get degrees does not appear to help. We need another kind of education that changes our minds and hearts, a kind of education that revolutionizes our minds and hearts. There is only that other kind of education that is going to change us and that kind of education is the kind of education that I think Kwame Nkrumah was talking about”.
He encouraged all leaders to honour Dr. Kwame Nkrumah by doing the things he did and preached.
The programme saw the Vice Chancellor, Professor D. D. Kuupole; Pro-Vice- Chancellor, Professor George K. T. Oduro; other senior members, lecturers and students of the university in attendance.
The programme continues on Tuesday, 20th September at 3:00p.m and on Wednesday, 21st September, 2016 at 10:00a.m at the university’s Main Auditorium.
Story By; Nana Afia Tenkoramaa
