Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, the National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has expressed his disappointment and shame over attempts in the past to denigrate the name and importance of Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana's first President. He made these remarks at the launch of the Nkrumah Fest, an initiative by Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, the Member of Parliament for Ellembelle, aimed at honoring Nkrumah's legacy. Asiedu Nketiah emphasized that such attempts were particularly troubling given that the rest of Africa and the world have recognized Dr Nkrumah as the African of the Century.
Asiedu Nketiah commended Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah for instituting the Nkrumah Fest, describing it as an effort to purge Ghana of the shame brought on by attempts to denigrate Dr Nkrumah's image, name, and legacy. He noted that the festival could help correct the dent on Ghana's image and ensure that Dr Nkrumah's contributions to the country and Africa are properly remembered. The NDC Chairman also recounted a personal experience that had made him an "unrepentant Nkrumahist," attributing his opportunity to receive formal education to the introduction of free compulsory universal basic education under Dr Nkrumah.
Asiedu Nketiah shared that he was picked up from the streets of Seikwa in the Tain District of the Bono region by the Young Pioneers and sent to his relatives, who were warned that his parents had to send him to school or face prosecution. This experience motivated him to study Dr Nkrumah's works and contribute to keeping his legacy alive. He expressed his pain when efforts were made to reduce Dr Nkrumah to the level of other personalities who contributed to Ghana's independence struggle.
Asiedu Nketiah argued that Dr Nkrumah deserved distinct recognition for his role in bringing together the territories that eventually constituted modern Ghana. Before Dr Nkrumah's emergence, the Gold Coast colony, the Ashanti Kingdom, the Northern Territories, and Trans-Volta Togoland existed as separate entities. Dr Nkrumah played a central role in uniting these blocks to form the Ghana that exists today.
The NDC Chairman emphasized that no other politician or nationalist can compare to Dr Nkrumah, stressing that he was the one who brought the country together. Asiedu Nketiah's comments come at a time when there have been discussions about the legacy of Dr Nkrumah and his role in Ghana's history.
The launch of the Nkrumah Fest is part of a broader effort to honor Dr Nkrumah's legacy and educate Ghanaians about his contributions to the country. Asiedu Nketiah's remarks reflect the significance of Dr Nkrumah's impact on Ghana and Africa.
The denigration of Dr Nkrumah's legacy has been a subject of debate in Ghana, with some individuals facing criticism for their comments. The NDC Chairman's call to honor Dr Nkrumah's legacy is seen as a move to promote national unity and pride.
Key points
- Asiedu Nketiah criticizes attempts to denigrate Kwame Nkrumah's legacy, emphasizing that it's a shame Ghana did so when the world honors him as African of the Century.
