PRESIDENT NANA AKUFO-ADDO'S NICODEMUS

As a member of the same age group as President Akufo-Addo, I witnessed a portion of Kwame Nkrumah's presidency as a teenager growing up in Ghana, much like our current president. I observed the state of affairs during Nkrumah's time in office and the changes that occurred following his overthrow in February 1966.

I also had the opportunity to see Kofi Baako, a Member of Parliament for the Mfantseman (Saltpond and suburbs) Constituency, up close. Baako was a remarkably down-to-earth individual who would frequently visit Saltpond on weekends without fanfare, moving from household to household without any security detail or ceremony. I was struck by his humility, honesty, and dedication to the development of Saltpond.

Baako's uncle owned a small local bookshop called "KRA BIRIBI T]N STORE (K.B.T.S)," and Baako himself was just as humble and honest as W.E. Arthur, the retired Member of Parliament he had succeeded. Saltpond (Akyemfo) was a stronghold of the Convention People's Party (CPP), as it was the birthplace of the United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC), with Hammond Hall serving as the meeting place.

However, the prolonged ineffectiveness of the CPP has led to a split among the people, without a strong commitment to any particular party affiliation. Apathy has taken hold, and the once fervent party politics have been laid to rest.

During my time as a student, I greatly benefited from Kwame Nkrumah's free education policy. When I lost my father while in secondary school, the bursaries, half-scholarships, and free sixth-form education I received were a lifeline. I also experienced the difficulties of finding a guarantor after Professor Busia's decision to require university students to provide an undertaking to pay the cost of their education upon completion.

As I followed President Akufo-Addo's pronouncements, I was initially puzzled, but after a critical analysis, I have come to the conclusion that he is a kindred spirit. This is why I feel compelled to share this perspective with the world.

In summary, my personal experiences and observations spanning Nkrumah's presidency, the involvement of political figures like Kofi Baako, and the evolution of Ghana's educational policies have shaped my perspective on the current leadership and its relationship to the country's past. I believe this nuanced understanding is valuable in appreciating the complex dynamics at play in Ghana's political landscape.

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