Vice President John D. Mahama has stated that the late Osagyefo Doctor Kwame Nkrumah's legacies had outlived and out-shined all his peers several years after his death. He said Dr. Nkrumah's achievements, vision, zeal continues to live on and it is worthy to recognise his immense contribution in national development and African liberation struggle. Mr. Mahama said this at a durbar of the Chiefs and people of the Western Region at Nkroful as part of the Centenary celebration of Osagyefo Dr. Nkrumah on Saturday. "We can change the nation's present state if we all work to move the nation's development forward" the Vice President said. He said the desire of Dr. Nkrumah to transform the nation from an outmoded colonial one to a prosperous and independent nation, led to the establishment of the Akosombo dam which up to date still supplies 1,020 megawatts of electricity over 50 percent of the total energy needs for the country. He said many have questioned the rational for honouring Dr. Nkrumah alone though there were several people who played various roles in the struggle for independence. He said the introduction of the Free Compulsory Universal Basic Education (FCUBE) in the Northern regions, is a clear testimony of the selflessness of Dr. Nkrumah. "The people of the Northern part of Ghana, are also grateful and celebrating with those in Nzemaland over the meritorious services and achievements that characterised his era" he added. The Vice President said African leaders, both present and past, who will attend the African Union (AU) conference in Ghana in May 25, 2010 will visit and pay tribute to Dr. Nkrumah and thereby initiate a process to make the town a "mecca of political pilgrimage". "Take advantage and package the Nkroful town properly to attract more tourists who may want to see the origins of Dr. Nkrumah" he added. MORE Mr. Mahama assured the chiefs and people that the Nyaniba houses at Nkroful, and other structures of Dr. Nkrumah including his mausoleum at Nkroful will be properly maintained with the assistance of the western regional coordinating council (WRCC). Responding to some of their requests, Vice President said he would discuss with the regional coordinating council to re-capitalise the Kwame Nkrumah educational fund. Awulae Annor Adjaye, on behalf of the chiefs and people Nzemamanle, said Dr. Nkrumah's vision, tenacity of purpose, determination to succeed, his role in the liberation struggles of Ghana and many African countries and in the diaspora remains outstanding and the celebration of his centenary is much appreciated. "Nkrumah was a transformational leader but many saw him as an enemy, a dysfunctional leader who was out of tune with his time but his selflessness, courage, sacrifice, transparency, accountability, integrity, long suffering and tenacity of purpose are the qualities that must be cultivated by all irrespective of ones position in the society. Awulae Adjaye asked other African leaders to embrace virtues that Nkrumah stood for such as freedom, justice, equity, transparency and accountability in all spheres of endeavour rather than adherence to patronage, sycophancy and an avid pursuit of personal interests. He appealed to the President to resource the Western Corridor Development Authority (WCDA) to make it functional. Awulae Adjaye said the chiefs and people want the name of the Nsein Senior High School to be reverted to the Kwame Nkrumah Senior High School and that the Nkroful Agricultural Senior High School to be reverted to Nyaniba Senior High School. He said with the discovery of oil, residents and inhabitants of the region can no longer wait as others excel in various endeavours. He suggested that the government should adopt and recapitalise the Kwame Nkrumah Educational Fund to enable more brilliant but needy children benefit from further education. Awulae Adjaye said so far 14 students had benefited from the fund and there were several others who were still eager to benefit and continue their education. He said the chiefs and people will like to see an established Western Regional Development Council (WRDC) which shall see to the rapid development of the region while the WRDA should be made a regulatory body. Awulae Adjaye said one percent of oil sales per barrel should be paid into the Council to see to the accelerated development of the region. He urged the government to construct a befitting statute at the Edzii roundabout in Takoradi to replace the existing one which does not have any resemblance to Osagyefo and also suggested that the Essiama junction should be have a roundabout that would host the statute of Dr. Nkrumah with an illuminated fountain. Source: GNA