Dr Kwame Nkrumah’s birthday celebration: Africa must heed Nkrumah’s vision of unity – Prof. Lumumba

African leaders have been called upon to recommit to the founding principles of unity championed by Ghana's first President, Kwame Nkrumah, 66 years after he attained independence. Prof. P.L.O. Lumumba, a distinguished Pan-Africanist and Kenyan legal expert, lamented that Africa remains politically fragmented and economically subjugated despite its vast natural resources.

He expressed that this state of affairs represented a betrayal of Nkrumah's aspirations for a united and self-ruled Africa. The remarks were made during the annual NkrumahFest celebration held in Nkroful, Nkrumah's birthplace in the Western Region, Ghana. The theme of this year's event was 'Nkrumah at 117, celebrating his enduring legacy – Africa must unite or perish'.

NkrumahFest is an annual heritage and cultural festival organized by the Member of Parliament for Ellembelle, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah. The festivities kicked off last Friday with the inauguration of a roundabout featuring a statue of Nkrumah in the Ellembelle District of the Western Region. Notable attendees included the Paramount Chief of Essikado Traditional and President of the Western Regional House of Chiefs, Nana Kobina Nketsia V; Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, former running mate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the 2024 general election; Samia Nkrumah, daughter of the late President Nkrumah; Pan-Africanist and veteran journalist Kwesi Pratt Jnr; and various political figures and international guests.

Prof. Lumumba emphasized that Nkrumah's vision of a united, dignified Africa remains pertinent and carries intergenerational significance. He hailed Nkrumah as one of the greatest Africans to have ever lived, stating that his impact on the continent extended beyond his native Ghana. Nkrumah was instrumental in establishing the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) in 1963, which is now the African Union, and staunchly advocated for African unity to safeguard political independence.

Prof. Lumumba cited Nkrumah's book "Africa Must Unite" as a testament to his resolute belief that African nations must collaborate to preserve their sovereignty. He drew parallels between Nkrumah's ideals and the civil rights movement in the United States, pointing out that Ghana served as a beacon of inspiration for leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. Despite Nkrumah's political downfall following a 1966 coup, efforts to silence his legacy have been futile.

Dr Buah, the event's convener and Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, stressed that Nkrumah's legacy should spur a renewed dedication to self-determination, Pan-Africanism, and collective prosperity, particularly among younger generations. During the Nkrumah regime, he added, Ghana witnessed the establishment of prominent educational institutions, infrastructure projects like the Akosombo Dam, Tema Harbour, and Adomi Bridge, as well as numerous factories and other long-lasting investments.