If the World has honoured Nkrumah as ‘Man of the Century’ why are we denigrating his image? – Asiedu Nketiah asks

Johnson Asiedu Nketia, the National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has questioned why Ghanaians are not honoring Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, the founder of Ghana, as they have across Africa and the world. During NkrumahFest 2026 held in Nkroful in the Western Region, Mr. Nketia expressed his concern over efforts to diminish Nkrumah's image and legacy. He asked, "If the world and Africa have honored him as the 'Man of the Millennium', why are we not doing that as Ghanaians?"

Nkrumah, according to Mr. Nketia, deserves recognition as the founder of Ghana due to his role in unifying various territories that now make up the nation. Before his emergence, these territories—such as the Gold Coast Colony, the Ashanti Kingdom, the Northern Territories, and Trans-Volta Togoland—existed as separate political entities. Mr. Nketia emphasized that Nkrumah's leadership and political struggle were instrumental in bringing these territories together to form the modern-day Ghana.

He stressed that prior to Nkrumah's leadership, there was no concept of Ghana as a unified country. The struggles of earlier freedom fighters were primarily focused on the Gold Coast Colony, while other territories had different political arrangements. Nkrumah's contributions to the formation of Ghana set him apart from other nationalists involved in the country's independence struggle. Mr. Nketia stated, "No other politician or nationalist can compare themselves to Dr Kwame Nkrumah."

NkrumahFest 2026, which commemorates Nkrumah’s 117th birthday, aims to rectify what Mr. Nketia perceives as the shame of undervaluing Nkrumah's image and legacy. He thanked Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, former Minister for Roads and Highways and MP for Ellembelle, for his role in organizing the event. NkrumahFest 2026 is being held to celebrate Nkrumah's enduring legacy.