South African politician Julius Malema delivered a compelling message during his recent visit to Ghana, emphasizing the importance of adhering to Kwame Nkrumah’s principles of state-led development. Malema warned that deviating from these principles could lead to challenges such as unemployment and exploitation in strategic sectors of the economy.
Malema underscored the significance of maintaining Nkrumah’s vision of a state-driven development agenda, suggesting that such an approach is crucial for addressing issues like unemployment. He argued that when the state steps back from key economic sectors, the interests of profit-driven businesses may take precedence, often at the expense of workers.
“If you drift away from Nkrumah‘s principles of state-led development and you prioritize strategic sectors of the economy, you will never address the issue of unemployment because the interests of business are to maximize profit,” Malema stated. He further pointed out that prioritization in profit-driven models often results in workers being removed to cut costs and boost profits.
The South African politician highlighted the role of the state in creating a corrupt-free environment, asserting that a state-led, corruption-free development model is crucial for ensuring the absorption of a significant workforce. According to Malema, the primary role of the state should not be profit-making but rather generating sufficient resources to finance social responsibility programs.
Malema’s remarks underscored the need for a balanced and strategic approach to economic development, one that aligns with the principles laid out by Ghana’s first president, Kwame Nkrumah. He emphasized that Nkrumah’s vision provides a blueprint for inclusive development that prioritizes the welfare of workers and ensures the state’s ability to fulfill its social responsibilities.