Nkrumah’s legacy must drive African unity, self-reliance and environmental protection – Armah-Kofi Buah

Minister for Lands and Natural Resources Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah has urged Ghanaians and Africans to recommit to the ideals of self-determination, Pan-Africanism, self-reliance, and shared prosperity as the country marks the 117th birthday of Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah. At the 2026 NkrumahFest, Buah emphasized that the annual commemoration should go beyond ceremony to become an opportunity for Ghanaians to examine whether the country and the continent are living up to Nkrumah’s vision.

This year's NkrumahFest is centered on the life, ideas, and Pan-African vision of Ghana's first President, with the theme "Nkrumah @117: Celebrating His Enduring Legacy – Africa Must Unite or Perish." Buah highlighted four central purposes for the celebration: remembering Nkrumah's life and contribution with pride, reflecting on Ghana and Africa's progress towards his envisioned future, recommitting to self-determination and Pan-Africanism, and inspiring a new generation to carry his ideals forward.

He cited several institutions and projects associated with the developmental vision of the early post-independence era, such as the Akosombo Dam, Tema Harbour, University of Ghana, and Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, to illustrate Nkrumah's focus on long-term, future-oriented development rather than short-term political considerations.

Buah also underscored the relevance of Nkrumah's Pan-African vision, emphasizing that Ghana's independence should be seen as part of a broader struggle for African liberation and that political independence remains incomplete without greater continental unity.

Brief written by urgent.news from MyJoyOnline Ghana's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.