President Mahama and Samia Nkrumah Champion Legacy of Self-Reliance as Ghana Commemorates 117th Anniversary of Nkrumah’s Birth

President John Mahama led the nation in celebrating the 117th anniversary of the birth of Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, observed on September 21 as Founder’s Day. Addressing the country, President Mahama emphasized that while political independence was secured under Nkrumah, the mission to build a prosperous and equitable society remains a collective duty. He urged Ghanaians to draw inspiration from the ideals of liberty and Pan-African unity to pursue his administration's "Resetting Ghana Agenda." This year’s commemoration, marked by the restoration of the day as a public holiday, saw a convergence of political leaders, historians, and activists calling for a return to Nkrumah’s vision of economic sovereignty and national pride.

During the "NkrumahFest" events in Nkroful, Samia Yaba Nkrumah, daughter of the first President, challenged historical narratives surrounding her father’s 1966 overthrow. She strongly rejected claims that Ghanaians were universally pleased with the coup, describing such accounts as "negative propaganda." Pointing to the destruction of her father's statues at the time as a sign of orchestrated suppression rather than popular will, she noted that the recent unveiling of new monuments, such as the statue in Sunyani and the Osagyefo Roundabout in Sanzule, indicates a revitalized interest in his philosophy. She stressed that these landmarks are not mere decorations but essential tools for educating younger generations about Ghana's path to freedom and its global connections.

The anniversary also sparked a rigorous debate on Ghana’s economic trajectory, with several voices advocating for a return to state-led industrialization. Veteran journalist Kwesi Pratt Jnr, speaking at the 15th Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Lecture at the University of Cape Coast, urged policymakers to revisit the Seven-Year Development Plan (1963-1970). Pratt argued that the plan’s focus on infrastructure—such as the Akosombo Dam—and education remains the most viable blueprint for transforming a commodity-dependent economy into a self-sufficient one. This sentiment was echoed by the Progressive Alliance for Ghana (PAG), led by Dr. John Enyonam Kpikpi, which called for a fundamental overhaul emphasizing cooperative ownership, youth entrepreneurship, and the domestic processing of raw materials to ensure energy security.

On the local front, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, the Member of Parliament for Ellembelle and Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, inaugurated the Osagyefo Roundabout and joined MP Kofi Arko Nokoe to commission the “Long Live Nkrumah’s Freedom Arch” at Axim Junction. Buah praised President Mahama for nationalizing the ‘Journey to Nkroful’ initiative, which has now been added to Ghana’s official tourism calendar. These efforts, according to local leaders, aim to stimulate the local economy through heritage tourism while preserving historical sites, including Nkrumah’s former residence and the resting place of Paa Grant. These developments signify a shift toward honoring the nation's founding figures through tangible infrastructure and economic integration.

Beyond the ceremonies, academic and civil society leaders, including Prof. Samuel Ntewusu of the University of Ghana, called for a non-partisan, critical analysis of Nkrumah’s policies. They argued that his thoughts on African unity and economic independence should inform modern governance rather than being confined to history books. As Ghana faces contemporary socio-economic challenges, the consensus across these commemorations was clear: honoring Nkrumah requires moving beyond ceremonial remembrance toward tangible actions that empower the youth, promote national unity over tribalism, and fulfill the unfinished task of achieving total economic emancipation for the African continent.