Elusive Search for Social Justice in Africa: The Relevance of Nkrumah’s Vision to the Struggle for Economic Independence

Lecture by Ms. Samia Nkrumah

Tuesday, April 19, 2016
12:30 – 1:45 p.m.
Konover Auditorium, Dodd Center
University of Connecticut, Storrs 

The father of modern African nationalism and the great torch bearer of pan-Africanism, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah was very clear in his vision that political independence was only the first step in the struggle to realize social justice and a higher standard of living for Africans.  More than this, Nkrumah provided Ghanaians and Africans with a philosophy and ideology of decolonization: Self-determination and self-reliance, social justice and Pan-Africanism.  On March 6, 1957 Nkrumah declared that the "independence of Ghana is meaningless unless it is linked up with the total liberation of the African continent".

After more than five decades since that declaration, keen observers of Africa question the extent to which political independence has led to increased welfare of the majority of African people. While Africa remains the world’s richest continent, it is also home to a majority of the world's poor people. Access to basic needs such as quality education, basic health services, housing, food, water and sanitation by the majority of Africans remains a mirage.

In the talk, Ms. Samia Nkrumah shall assess the relevance of Nkrumah’s vision and philosophy to the challenges that confront progressive forces in their renewed struggle for economic independence, with specific reference to Ghana.

UNESCO Chair & Institute of Comparative Human Rights

For more information, call (860) 486-0647.