By P. K. Yankey
Nkroful (W/R), Sept 22, GNA – Flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama has reminded Ghanaians to celebrate Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, first Prime Minister and first President of the Republic of Ghana, as “the sole founder of modern Ghana”.
According to him, Dr Kwame Nkrumah’s name resonated outside the country as the founder of the African liberation struggle, and “that is why the BBC voted him as African’s Man of the last Millennium.”
Former President Mahama was addressing the chiefs and people of Nzemaland when he joined them to celebrate the 115th birthday of Dr Kwame Nkrumah.
This year’s event dubbed, “The Journey to Nkroful: Celebrating the Enduring Legacy of Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah,” brought thousands of people from all social classes to Nkroful, birth and original burial place of Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah.
Mr Mahama said “the recent attempt by some Ghanaians to obliterate his legacy with the introduction of the Big Six, cannot be the yardstick to dilute the pioneering role of Dr Kwame Nkrumah in Ghana’s history.”
“While many far beyond the Big Six being bandied around played significant roles in the independence struggle, Dr Kwame Nkrumah was that critical catalyst that brought the independence struggle to an end,” the NDC flagbearer clarified.
“In fact, the so-called Big Six were an accident of history and not a united force and the historical records show this,” he added.
Mr Mahama said “some of them opposed Dr Nkrumah’s vision for independence by sending a delegation to Britain to Queen Elizabeth not to grant Independence to Ghana.”
The NDC flagbearer said the next NDC government would restore Dr Kwame Nkrumah to his former glory by celebrating him as the sole founder of modern Ghana.
His government would also recognize NkrumahFest; “A Journey to Nkroful” as one of the official events on Ghana’s tourist Festival.
Mr Mahama said the seeds that Dr Nkrumah sowed had germinated to the benefit of Africa.
He called on Ghanaians to build a Ghana and Africa reflective of Dr Kwame Nkrumah’s ideals and vision of liberation and development.
The Member of Parliament (MP) for Ellembelle, Mr Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah identified Nkroful as the cradle of dreams which carried significant weight in the narrative history of Dr Kwame Nkrumah’s culture.
He said Ghanaians and all who believed in freedom and emancipation must journey to Nkroful to celebrate Dr Kwame Nkrumah.
Mr Kofi Buah who is the Deputy Minority Leader in Parliament reminded Ghanaians to celebrate the African icon because he spearheaded Ghana’s independence and the major architect behind the Africa liberation struggle.
The MP touted Dr Kwame Nkrumah’s legacy as free education for all, rapid industrialization, the health sector, Pan-Africanism, among others.
Mr Kofi Buah said “52 years after his overthrow, Ghana could not have survived without Dr Kwame Nkrumah’s legacy”.
He underscored the need to celebrate Dr Kwame Nkrumah “not only for his remarkable achievements but documented a roadmap for economic emancipation relevant today more than 52 years ago”.
Mr Kofi Buah said Dr Kwame Nkrumah’s economic policies have been adopted by European countries such as the European Union.
The MP said Dr Kwame Nkrumah dreamt of a better world where freedom, equality and prosperity would reign.
The Chief of Nkroful, Nana Kwasi Kutua V paid a glowing tribute to Mr Armah-Kofi Buah for honouring Dr Kwame Nkrumah.
He envisioned that with his prudent leadership style, Mr Kofi Buah would be the next Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah.
He said despite the enduring Legacy of Dr Kwame Nkrumah, Nkroful and the Nzema area still lagged in development despite the efforts of Mr Kofi Buah.
Nana Kwasi Kutua V expressed grave concern about the absence of a hospital at Nkroful and putting the poor road network from Teleku-Bokazo to Aiyinasi, Samenye barrier- Half-Assini and Teleku-Bokazo to Simpa junction in decent shape.
Paramount Chief of Lower Axim Traditional Area, Awulae Attibrukusu III, chaired the function, said some Ghanaians had done their best to destroy the legacy of Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah but cannot succeed.
He said “Kwame Nkrumah never dies” hence his ideas and vision still live on.
Awulae Attibrukusu III said the NkrumahFest has come to stay and thanked the planning committee for immortalizing the memory and legacy of Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah.
GNA