Tribute to Kwodwo Addison
By Kofi Batsa
I worked together with him, Anthony Kobina-Woode, Turkson- Ocran, Acquah Robertson, Pobee Biney, Yaro de Man, Dr Kwamena Ocran and Kwame Asumadu in developing radical, independent Trade Union movement in the Gold Coast. Though we were not understood and therefore the Colonial Government branded us "Communists," we fought together, stood firmly for what we believed was a cause in the interest of the workers of the Gold Coast. Those of us who are alive today, look back to those days with great pride.
When Kwame Nkrumah invited Kwodwo Addison to head the party ideological school, I was made the editor of "The Spark" which most truly reflected the ideology of Kwame Nkrumah at the Bureau of African Affairs. Kwodwo served on our policy body.
In the heat of the negotiations which brought together the radical "Casablanca Powers" and the moderate "Monrovia Powers" and therefore paved the way for the formation of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), I travelled with Kwodwo Addison and John Tettegah under very difficult condi- tons to deliver urgent letters and massages from Kwame Nkrumah to Haile Sellassie. We were involved in some of the difficult guerilla activities which led to the independence of some of the African States.
I taught at the Kwame Nkrumah Ideological School when Kwodwo was the Director. When the 1966 military coup by the selfish ambitious military adventurers, hungry for power and position toppled Kwame Nkrumah's regime, we were put in condemned cells of Nsawam prisons for three months. Kwodwo was in cell No. 5 and I was in No. 7, before we were moved to the special block for over one year.
Though his dazzling career became clouded by the rising tide of military rule, tensions and conflicts in Ghana, which left no room for him, I honestly believe he made his contribution to some of the successful aspects of the Pan- African struggle initiated by Kwame Nkrumah.
Unfortunately Ghana is one of the countries in the world where there are no yesterdays - there are only todays. Ghanaians have no enduring "Horsemen of yesteryears". A great Nigerian historian says perhaps one reason why there is so much violence, aggression and instability in the day to day life of some African countries is that they have so little consciousness of a time perspective.
We seem to care so little about the past . . . The corruption of our society goes beyond those who steal public funds and pervert justice, it includes those who forget the past. . . and applaud only those who for the moment and by whatever dubious means have access to power. I agree with him.
Death has laid its icy hands on Kwodwo Addison. Those of us who are his friends can only borrow the great commemoration poem of J S ARKWRIGHT and say:
1. "Oh valiant heart, who to your glory came through dust of conflict and through battle flame;
Tranquil you lie, your knightly virtue proved,
your memory hallowed in the land you loved.
2. "Splendid you passed, the great surrender made,
into the light that never more shall fade,
Deep your contentment in that blest abode, who wait the last clear trumpet call of God."
