Renowned journalist and political analyst Kwesi Pratt Jnr. has once again voiced his concerns about Ghana’s economic direction, this time referencing the country’s first president, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah.
In a post on his X (formerly Twitter) account on Tuesday 4th March, 2025, Pratt expressed disappointment over how Nkrumah’s name and ideas were being used at the National Economic Forum. He said that if Dr Kwame Nkrumah would weep if he was alive.
Pratt claims that speakers at the forum frequently cited Nkrumah when advocating economic policies that, in his opinion, conflict with the vision of the late leader. He found it ironic that even those who support neo-liberal economic policies, which prioritize private sector-led growth, were citing Nkrumah’s words to justify their arguments. He stated that Nkrumah was a committed socialist who viewed a mixed economy only as a temporary step toward a fully socialist system.
As part of the ongoing National Economic Dialogue, the National Economic Forum brings together business leaders, economists, and government officials to discuss Ghana’s economic future. Many speakers have referenced Nkrumah’s policies in their speeches, suggesting that Ghana must find ways to balance state intervention with private sector growth. However, Pratt believes that such interpretations misrepresent Nkrumah’s true vision.
In his post, Pratt remarked that Nkrumah would be “turning in his grave” if he could witness how his legacy was being used to justify policies that he would have opposed. He argued that Nkrumah’s aspiration was for Ghana to have complete control over its resources and to establish a socialist economy that would benefit all citizens rather than just a select few private businesses.
