Nkrumah’s New Year Message

SUPPLEMENT
TEXT OF NEW YEAR’S MESSAGE BROADCAST TO THE NATION
BY PRESIDENT NKRUMAH AT 6:15 P. M. 31st
DECEMBER , 1963″

Good Evening,
I have come to the microphone this evening, on the eve of the New Year, to share a few thoughts with you and to wish each and everyone of you a happy and prosperous New Year .

Much has been accomplished in the year that is about to pass away . By any standards , we have every reason to be thankful for all the great changes that have taken place in our country . In all, our policy can be summed up in a single sentence : to achieve a higher living standard by improving the living conditions of our people, and providing increased opportunities for employment and to assist in the total freedom and unity of Africa within the framework of a continental union Government.

Nearly seven years ago , when Ghana became independent , there were only seven other independent African States. Today, that number has risen to thirty – four . In 1964, when Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland become independent, there will, in all, be thirty – six independent states in Africa . Practically , the whole of northern and central Africa will thus have emerged from colonialism . The un-freed part of our continent is fighting relentlessly to be free , and it will not be long , with the passing of 1963 and the coming in of 1964, when all Africa will be free and united.

Indeed , as I speak to you now , in a few hours , the imperialist- imposed Central African Federation would have come to an end. This is surely a great victory for the liberation movement so courageously sustained by our freedom fighters. We salute the Freedom Fighters of the African Liberation Movement.

In the international field, all we ask for is that every effort will be made to bring about a relaxation of tension and the end of the Cold War. In any event , we insist that the Cold War should be kept out of Africa . Surely , the expectation which we held for Africa on the eve of our own independence , namely , that the independence of Ghana will have no meaning except in the context of the total liberation of Africa , is now almost realised . But the final victory will lie in the political unification of Africa , free from foreign control , manipulation and domination . It is not enough to acclaim unity . We must work conscientiously and tirelessly for its attainment . All the evils that beset us in Africa: economic
exploitation , boundary disputes , the existence of foreign bases on African soil , the intrigues , bribery , subversion and cajolement of neo – colonialism and imperia-lism can only be effectively removed if we unite under one union Government of Africa .

I hope that 1964 will see a positive advance towards our goal of African unity .

At home , we continue to spend a greater proportion of our revenue on edu-cation than perhaps any other country in the world . This , in itself , is a great investment for the future . Our system of education must therefore be such as to equip our youth for the socialist reconstruction of Ghana . We are building
factories and providing employment for our people . We are going through an in-industrial and agricultural revolution . We are moving irresistibly out of the one – crop economy and approaching the portals of a diversified agricultural economy . Above all , the Volta River Project is edging its way into our future with its limitless promise for industrialisation and prosperity .

I could go on enlarging on the benefits which have come to us in the way of better housing and the rising standards of living during the past year , but that is not my intention at this moment . I wish rather to lay stress on what we could achieve and have not accomplished , and where we could advance , and have not pro-gressed .

A revolutionary people , with a revolutionary party , working at a revolution-ary tempo , and with faith in its revolution , can move mountains . Our human and natural resources in Ghana are sufficient to transform our country speedily into an industralised and properous state . So far , we have not mobilised or utilised our resources to the limits of our power .

We are united , but we are not yet working as hard as we should . That is not because there is no dedication or vision in us as a people but because we do not make enough calls on ourselves .

In a few weeks from now I shall launch our Seven-Year Development Plan . The plan will demand from party members , from our administrators , from our civil servants , from our workers and farmers , from our managers of state enterprises , from our organisations and institutions , from our magistrates and judges , from our university professors and students , from our doctors and all other professional men
and women , teachers and scientists indeed , from each and everyone of you ,the greatest sacrifice and dedication .

If we prove to be old wine in new bottles we shall fail to arouse the enthusiasm and spirit of our people . If we become self – satisfied , and allow ourselves to be bound by tradition , precedent and habit , or if we allow the apathy of a few people in key positions to slow down our progress , we shall be undermining the spirit of our revolution .

It is never easy to determine in a state like ours , freed recently from colonial rule and domination , and burdened with the remnants of colonialist indoctrination and contradictions , how many secret enemies and hidden agents de-parting colonialists have left behind in our midst . We are better off if we can trust one another rather than engender an atmosphere of mutual suspicion . Yet , unless we exercise the tmost vigilance and meet out the heaviest punishments for treachery and subversion , our revolution is always in danger of being undermined .

Let us , then , follow a few simple rules of vigilance , justice and fair play in the coming year . Let us not be taken in by those who pay lip- service to our cause . Let us watch out carefully for anti – socialist behaviour , whether it takes the form of outright deception or sabotage . We must be quick to expose and to punish bribery and corruption , and wanton misuse of state property . In quarters where Government decisions are delayed and frustrated , we must find out who are responsible , and caution or discipline them .

We should examine ourselves critically in relation to the community in which we live and see how we can help to arrest the evils and shortcomings that exist in our society . Your behaviour must inspire others and not breed cynicism and apathy with practices completely at variance with our socialist endeavours and
aspirations . If we do this , we have no reason to look forward to anything but greater economic and cultural victories and the enhancement of spiritual and moral values in the coming year .

For certain historic reasons , the eyes of Africa are turned upon us in hope and confidence , whilst the eyes of the imperialists and neo – colonialists glare at us with hostility . Every victory for our advance will be a new impetus for Africa , every failure will be a cause of rejoicing in the imperialist camp . In this struggle , we can neither spare ourselves nor the opponents and enemies of our revolution .

Men and women of Ghana , I now wish to turn to the recent treason trial and the situation created by the judgement of the special court . As you already know , I have , in exercise of the powers conferred upon me by Parliament , declared that judgement null and void .

May I , however , make one point clear : the President appoints the Chief Justice , the Judges of the Supreme Court and the Judges of the High Court . In the performance of their duties judges are not interferred with by the Chief Executive , and , to this extent , they exercise the judicial powers of the state
independently of the Executive .

But , under our constitution the Office of the Chief Justice is not solely judicial . It is also Quasi – Political . It involves active co – operation and understanding with the President in securing justice , law and order , peace and stability . In other words , the position of the Chief Justice of Ghana is such that the holder of the post must be conscious of his political responsibility .

A treason trial , by its very nature , is political and can lead to unrest , disturbances and even violence . For this reason , our Government was bound to be interested in the treason trial by virtue of the fact that it is the responsibility of the Government to maintain law and order and to ensure the security of the state .

The failure of the Chief Justice to take the President into his confi-dence in regard to the judgement of the Special Court , showed a serious dis-regard for the Office of the President . His failure also to recognise the effect that the judgement , whatever it was , would have on the peace , stability and order throughout the country , for which the Government would be responsible , was a clear indication of his lack of political responsibility .

The Judges of the Special Court , by their failure to take me into their confidence , meant to create discontent and terror throughout the country . You the people of Ghana have made me the conscience of the nation . My duty is not only to govern but to ease the conscience of the people by giving them peace of mind and tranquility . The nation cannot tolerate a dishonest and corrupt judiciary . I want to assure you all that there is a possibility of a re – trial of the persons involved in this particular case , depending upon the results of certain investigations now in progress .

In the circumstances , the Government , in the interests of the people , wishes to take advantage of the situation created by the judgement in the treason trial to make certain amendments to our Constitution .

I and the Government have therefore decided that a referendum should be held between the 24th of January and 31st of January next year ( 1964) to seek the approval of the people for the amendment of the Constitution in the following respects : –

1. To invest the President with power in his discretion to remove a judge of the Supreme Court or a Judge of the High Court at any time for reasons which appear to him sufficient . The powers of Parliament to re-move a Judge of the Supreme Court or a Judge of the High Court from office by resolution on grounds of stated misbehaviour or infirmity of body or mind will remain unchanged .
2. To provide that in conformity with the interests , welfare and aspirations of the people , and in order
   to develop the organisational initiative and political activity of the people there shall be one National
   Party in Ghana , which shall be the vanguard of our people in their struggle to build a socialist society and which shall be the leading core of all organisations of the people .
   
   That the one National party shall be the Convention People’s The details of the referendum will be announced soon . The Government and I have also decided to make legislation to provide for a new National Flag , the colours of which shall be the same as those of the Convention People’s Party , red , white and green with the Black Star in the middle.

Friends and Countrymen ,

We are a young and vigorous nation dedicated to the building of a socialist society ; with socialism , we shall be able to promote , rapidly , the economic growth of our country , and raise the living standards of our people . All we mean here is that the ownership of the major means of production and distribution should be vested in the state , that is , in the people . This demands that we must all work to achieve production that can satisfy the growing material , cultural and spiritual needs and requirements of our people .

The Convention People’s Party has been the vanguard of our struggle all along . Nearly fifteen years ago we put our trust in our great party and gave it the mandate to fight for independence . Under its banner , we fought against the seemingly impregnable forces of colonialism and imperialism and won . Let us resolve in the new year to continue the struggle against the enemies of our independence against indolence , against dis-honesty , against greed , against bribery , against corruption , against sub-version , and against all those evils which militate against the interest and welfare of our people .

I know , and I am confident , that in the spirit of dedication and resolve we shall win yet greater victories in the years ahead .

And now , before I leave the microphone , may I wish each and everyone of you health , happiness and success in the new year . “
-5-

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