<<Print>>

A Political Science Lecturer has begged to differ with those who believe that the legacy of the first black African President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela has been overly hyped, saying that the celebration of his death tells the new generation that good name is better than riches. Dr David Osei Bonsu of the Methodist University of Ghana, stressed that it is worthwhile celebrating the death of Mandela since he is immeasurable to any African Leader including Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah due to his (Mandela�s) selfless leadership lifestyle. He averred on Hot Fm that Mandela is ahead of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, even though the latter (Nkrumah) did well for Ghana and Africa in general, but the distinction between them is clear on the scale of peaceful nature, forgiveness and endurance. He stressed that on the scale of forgiveness, Mandela was able to forgive those who imprisoned him for more than 27 years in his course to fight for the freedom of his people as against Nkrumah who was not even in prison for a year but dealt drastically with J.B Danquah and other opposition members when he became President. ��when we look at Ghanaian Civilian Leadership, nobody has ruled the country for more than 8 years but Nkrumah even from 1967, ruled for 9 years and people say that he did not end his term in office�..but Mandela when he came to power for five years, stepped down for others to contest the seat after his one term tenure in office,� he pontificated. ��though Nkrumah did well for Africa, if you compare the two leaders, Nelson Mandela stands tall in terms of democracy, forgiveness and selfless leadership�.Mandela�s celebration is worth it because he is not anything like Nkrumah who thought of his selfish interest alone,� he surmised.