MAHAMA FIRES NKRUMAH'S BOMBS.

If Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah knew that one of his loyal servants, E.A Mahama had a son of his resemblance, I guess he would have offered him a buttered loaf than the dough nut. I hope you can spot this resemblance in the duo?

Countries indeed develop on the heels of visionary leadership. Visionary leaders are hard to come by and more often, they get jostled out just for political expediency. Some get their fingers soiled in the process as a result, they get fissile out of the political race.

Nkrumah was a visible leader across the globe, he was outspoken and had the political flare that could move mountains. I hope you are gradually sketching this very picture around President John Mahama? 

Like Nkrumah had a fulcrum around which to move baby Ghana to, Mahama has the same focal point. Both leaders use infrastructure as a key driver in the socio - economic development of Ghana. Nkrumah thought through his decisions a decade ahead of the ordinary eye. Just look at the following infrastructure developments across Ghana during his time.

1. Akosombo dam

2. Tema harbour 

3 Kumasi shoe factory 

4. Komenda sugar factory 

5. Accra - Tema motorway 

6. Nsawam Cannery 

7. Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology

I could continue with the list, but I decided to make it short in order to create room for more reflections. But take a look at the above list, you can tell that, Osagyefo had 10 decade's generation in mind. Like what every visionary does, he didn't take very popular decisions that will get the ordinary Ghanaian laughing and clapping in the 1950's, but to set the stage for decades of transformation.

Today, President Mahama comes as the youngest head of state in the fourth republic, he has a vision, and that is to reawaken the spirit of Nkrumah, to get Ghana working, to set the stage for transformation. Now, can you see the likeness in their leadership? Nkrumah builds, Mahama maintains.

Mahama transforms Kwame Nkrumah circle into a modern interchange. Mahama brings back to life the sugar factory in Komenda, not only that, but he actually brings back to life the Kumasi shoe factory. So it is also in his drawing board to expand the double lane Accra - Tema motorway this year 2016. In addition, he is expanding the Takoradi harbour in order to make room for a boost in businesses.

Can you see some resemblance? John Mahama has a foresight, hence his decision to get another sugar factory built in Savelugu in the northern region. This came in addition to the Tamale International Airport.  

Interestingly,  the two visionary leaders had/have their challenges. The challenges aren't structural or administrative, but out of the sheer greed of their political opponents. How can someone without a family or political name rule over the born-to - lead? Look at the striking story in this; the lead opponents in the political lives of Nkrumah and Mahama is the Akufo Addos.  

The bomb throwing during Nkrumah's regime couldn't stop him, just like the gun shots at Mahama in churches isn't stopping him. The lies and insults never were problems for Nkrumah at all. Mahama has/is equally received/receiving his fair share of the insults and personal attacks. Not the attempted diplomatic blunders from the opposition could stop the duo from shinning in the International stage. Not even the coup attempts, although Nkrumah was unfortunately overthrown in 1966. The orchestrated strikes and demonstrations are much alike in these two regimes. The market and institutional burnings and naked sabotages are gory images to remember. Imagine old ladies demonstrating in Kumasi, just imagine ladies going naked in Kumasi just because Mahama wants to construct the "Kejetia " market.  But all of these never stopped these visionaries from pursuing their transformational agendas. 

The only difference is that, while Akufo Addo's father, the lead CIA agent, led the charge against Nkrumah through physical engagements in meeting with them and giving them very sensitive information, technology has made it easier for Mahama's opponents, ably led by Nana Akufo Addo. They lie, insult, incite people on social media. But in the midst of all these, president Mahama is making history in this country. Indeed, Osagyefo and Mahama have similar leadership skills, faced similar challenges from one family and have the same vision as leaders. But you see, great leaders leave behind traces of footprints and not traces of dust. 

MANNERS MAKES MAN, says the peasant.

Issifu Seidu Kudus.