Ghanaians celebrate Nkrumah in grand style

Ghanaians celebrate Nkrumah in grand style
Andrews Zugah, Ghanadot

Accra, Sept 22, Ghanadot, Other people of African descent and thousands of Ghanaians yesterday converged on the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park to climax the centenary celebration of Ghana’s first President, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah.

The event, which is to be celebrated every year, was in fulfilment of a pledge made by His Excellency John Evans Atta Mills in his first state of the National Address to parliament.

Among the dignitaries were Vice President John Mahama, Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon. Justice Joyce Bamford-Addo, Chief Justice Georgina Theodora Wood, members of the diplomatic corps, Ministers of State, Members of Parliament, leaders of the various political parties and the African Diaspora community.

Also, a high-powered delegation of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), led by former Chief of Staff and Minister of Presidential Affairs, Kwadwo Mpaini, the 2008 Flagbearer of Conventions People’s Party (CPP), Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom, leader of the People’s National Convention (PNC), and the three children of the late President, Francis, Sekou and Samia Nkrumah were also there to grace Nkrumah’s 100th birthday.

Members of the diplomatic corps, African from the Diaspora, Schoolchildren and a cross section of the public were at the celebration yesterday.

The Kwame Nkrumah Memorial park was filled with the national colours (Red, Gold, green and black) amidst brass band music together with the Winneba Youth chior mingled with songs such as ‘Kwame Nkrumah Show Boy’ and some favorite hymns making the celebration a memorable one.

Conspicuously missing was the former Head of State, Jerry John Rawlings and former First lady Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings.

President Mills, who described Dr. Kwame Nkrumah as an illustrious son of Ghana and African, said the life and history of Ghana’s First President underscored one undeniable fact and so Ghanaians should imbibe and be guided ny the values the Osagyefo stood for.

He said Ghanaians should be guided by Dr. Kwame Nkrumah’s values of unity, hard work and perseverance so as to help build a better Ghana, stressing, “For those of us political leaders, the best judges will be prosperity and not our contemporaries”.

He also said, the recognition of Nkrumah's birthday on the national calender as Founder's Day and the African Union's adoption of the day as a continental event "are unprecedented and speak to the unqueness and global stature of our own Osagyefo Kwame Nkrumah".

Expressing admiration of the presence of all political parties, President Mills noted, “Nkrumah is teaching us so many valuable lessons which should imbue in us a sense of oneness and national unity”.

Quoting the adage “a nation that does not honour his heroes is not worth dying for”, President Mills was optimistic that Ghana would never forget trailblazers and all those who have made valuable contributions to the nation.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Planning Committee, Prof. Akilagpa Sawyer, acknowledged the tremendous role of our founding fathers who played a role in the struggle for independence and lit the flame that blazed the liberation struggle of the African continent.

The Secretary General of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Mr. Kofi Asamoah, spoke on behalf of workers saying, Dr. Nkrumah recognised the contribution and role workers played in nation building while the Minister of Women's and Children's Affairs, Ms. Akua Sena Dansua on behalf of women in the country said one of the legacies that could be dedicated to the memory of Dr. Nkrumah was create on opportunity for women in the decision-making process at the local level.

Mr. David Dontor an actor also said, Nkrumah being a man of many parts, contributed greatly to the growth and development of the arts industry.

The Unity Flag which signifies commitment to unity which has been paraded from Wa in the Upper West Region through to the other regions to Accra was signed by the President and some of the personalities.

Ghanadot