Is Onsy Nkrumah Not Asking Too Much Of Us?

Feature Article by Nana Akyea Mensah, The Odikro.

News that one Dr Onsy Awar Nathan Nkrumah had any Presidential ambition in Ghana came to me by surprise. Indeed, the claim has been made that he has been accepted by Mr Adwobia Kpanyinli, head of Nkrumah's family, and "given Dr Kwame Nkrumah's famous walking stick, a set of handkerchiefs and an attire as a souvenir to Dr Nathan Nkrumah", in appreciation for renovating the Nkrumah family house at Nkroful.

Frankly speaking, his "adopted son" status is a private arrangement between the Nkrumah family at Nkroful and Dr. Onsy Nkrumah. It is not in my place to pronounce on it. It is however, quite a different matter when it comes to being recognized as a Ghanaian, and for that matter, "a son of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah". You ask too much, if you do not expect a public reaction.

The way by which it was taken as a matter of fact, whilst lingering doubts persisted, was what probably prompted Dr. Sekou Nkrumah to call for a DNA test. At his age, and with his father long gone, the only effective means available to Dr. Onsy Nkrumah is to undergo a paternity test by DNA. I therefore find it very curious that Dr. Onsy Nkrumah is opposed to a DNA test.

Ghana is not a magic land where one can eat his cake and have it at the same time. Dr. Onsy Nkrumah needs to be told in plain words that if he is not prepared to undergo a DNA test, he can forget about his claims! He needs to know that he is already asking too much of us to accept him as Nkrumah's son, especially given his aversion to any form of DNA testing to scientifically ascertain his paternity.

With all that said, it needs to equally state emphatically that it is one thing for a foreigner claiming to be the son of Kwame Nkrumah, but it is quite another thing to rapidly proceed to acquire Ghanaian nationality, and announce an intention to contest the 2016 Presidential elections in order to become the President of Ghana. This is clearly asking more than too much!

So far, the closest link Dr. Onsy Nkrumah has with Ghana is explained by himself that he had been coming to Ghana for over 30 years, but got the chance to visit Nkroful through a friend, where he noticed that the house did not have electricity and water and thus proceeded to renovate. This is where the matter should have ended. The speed with which Dr. Osny Nkrumah is moving politically suggests that the renovation of the family house could be the first investment of an imposter with a plan already worked out.

Dr. Onsy Nkrumah's problem is that it is one thing being given a walking stick and being declared "a son of Kwame Nkrumah" at the age of 55 years by the head of the Nkrumah family, and quite another thing becoming a citizen of Ghana. Several titles are up for the take of foreign nationals in the traditional setting, such as Nkosohene but these do not automatically confer Ghanaian citizenship to the holder of such titles. According to Article 7 Section 6 (1):
"(1) Subject to this article, a citizen of Ghana shall cease forthwith to be a citizen of Ghana if, on attaining the age of twenty-one years, he, by a voluntary act, other than marriage, acquires or retains the citizenship of a country other than Ghana. " - Chapter Three, Article 7 Section 6 (1): of THE CONSTITUTION OF THE REPUBLIC OF GHANA 1992, CITIZENSHIP: http://www.judicial.gov.gh/constitution/chapter/chap_3.htm

So, if he wants to be a citizen of Ghana, we would like to know if there is any connection other than by word of mouth, and a "walking stick". He must indeed, be grateful for being a recipient of the coveted walking stick of the Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah himself. At the same time, he needs to know that it is not a substitute for a DNA test. A hurdle Dr. Onsy Nkrumah needs to jump publicly is how he acquired his Ghanaian citizenship, and by which connection to that formal effect?

Having jumped that hurdle, Dr. Onsy Nkrumah needs to know that the primary qualification is that you need to be registered as a voter before you can qualify as a Presidential Candidate. And that to qualify as a voter, one must be 18 years old or above, and must be of a sound mind. And talking about sound mind he must also know that it is in a very bad taste in Ghana for taking their hospitality for granted and to assume that any Tom, Dick and Onsy, could just pop in and move around with a walking stick groping his way to the Presidency of a serious country like Ghana, whether or not he is Kwame Nkrumah's son!

Forward Ever! Backwards Never!!!

Nana Akyea Mensah, The Odikro.
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