By Dennis Peprah
Sunyani, Sept. 23, GNA – The commemoration of the Memorial Day of Ghana’s first President, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah has received varied reactions among a section of the public in the Sunyani municipality.
The Ministry of Interior has officially designated Monday, September 23, 2024, as a public holiday to commemorate Dr Nkrumah’s Memorial Day. His birthday is on September 21.
In an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Sunyani, some of the residents described Dr Nkrumah’s achievement and legacies as unparalleled in the annals of the political history of the nation.
According to them, the establishment of the Tema Port, Tema Motorway, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology and the Akosombo Dam among others demonstrated the visionary leadership and foresight of Dr Nkrumah.
However, some of the residents said it was unfortunate, inappropriate and very early for Dr. Nkrumah’s government to deport the colonial masters, despite his exceptional vision for the nation.
Mavis Adwoa Dufie, a shopkeeper stated that “we have learnt a lot about Dr Nkrumah. In fact, no government can match his administration”, however, she added the deportation of the colonial masters did not augur well for the nation.
“South Africa is now South Africa because of the whites and Ghana would have achieved better in terms of development if we have allowed the whites to stay a while,” James Abu, a student stated.
Mr. Francis Adu Boahen, a banker, indicated that Dr Nkrumah would forever be remembered for his legacies and vision to “unite Africa as one people with common destiny”, and described his Memorial Day as worth celebrating.
“Though Dr Nkrumah has his own shortcomings, comparatively he remained the best President Ghana has so far gotten. If we have gotten one or two selfless Presidents or statesmen like Dr Nkrumah, then Ghana would have been like the United States and Europe now,” Mr. Samuel Osei Apraku, a teacher stated.
Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Day serves to honour the legacy of Dr Nkrumah, who was born on September 21, 1909, in Nkroful, near Axim. If he were alive today, the nation would be celebrating his 115th birthday.
GNA