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Professor Edward Ayensu, an International Advisor on Science, Technology and Economic Development, has observed that the socio- economic growth of Ghana would have been far more advanced, if Dr Kwame Nkrumah’s vision had been vigorously pursued after his leadership tenure.

He noted that Dr Nkrumah believed in development through knowledge based application.

Prof Ayensu, made the observation in Accra when he spoke on the topic, ‘Kwame Nkrumah: The Man and His Legacy’, at the 2017 Founder’s Week Celebrations.

The event was organised by the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences.
Prof Ayensu described Dr Nkrumah as an African leader who decided decades ahead of his colleagues, that without science and technology, Africa would lag behind the rest of the world in development.

He indicated that Dr Nkrumah realised that the country could not achieve economic freedom without industrialisation and advanced technology, so he pursued a path of rapid industrialisation, which saw projects such as the Volta River Authority being established.
Prof Ayensu said it was unfortunate that “we did not exploit the vision Dr Nkrumah had to offer Ghanaians”.

“Dr Nkrumah’s belief in women as key players in nation building, his belief in education, his focus on science, technology and industrial growth, drew great light on his vision for Ghana.

“I hope the academy would continue to make presentations about all our founding fathers, who have made contributions to the building of Ghana,” Prof Ayensu stressed.

The Founder’s Week Celebration of the Academy started in November 1960 and is the oldest of its traditions.

The Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences is Ghana’s Premier Learned Society.

It was founded in November 1959 by Government Instrument of Incorporation.