National Democratic Congress (NDC) Chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketiah has expressed concerns over Ghana's continued denigration of Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah's image. Speaking at the 2026 edition of NkrumahFest in Nzema, Western Region, on September 19, 2026, he questioned why Ghana disparages Nkrumah despite the world honoring him as the 'African of the Century'. Nketiah described Nkrumah as a transformational leader whose policies and vision continue to shape Ghana.
Nketiah, an unrepentant Nkrumahist, recounted how Nkrumah's Free Compulsory Universal Basic Education (FCUBE) policy changed his life. He was picked from the streets of Seikwa by Nkrumah's Young Pioneers movement and sent to school, paving the way for him to become educated and eventually rise to become the NDC National Chairman. This experience motivated him to study Nkrumah's works and contribute to preserving his legacy.
The 2026 NkrumahFest, held under the theme "Nkrumah @ 117: Celebrating His Enduring Legacy – Africa Must Unite or Perish," marks Dr. Nkrumah's 117th birthday. The annual festival, established by Ellembelle MP Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, commemorates Dr. Nkrumah's life and legacy. Nketiah emphasized the importance of properly preserving Nkrumah's historical legacy, especially given his continued international recognition.
Nketiah made a strong case for proper recognition of Dr. Nkrumah's role in modern Ghana's formation. He argued that Nkrumah played a central role in uniting the Gold Coast Colony, the Ashanti Kingdom, the Northern Territories, and Trans-Volta Togoland to form the Ghana that exists today. Therefore, Nkrumah's contribution to Ghana's independence and nation-building deserved distinct recognition.
The NkrumahFest 2026 is being held in Nkroful, Dr. Nkrumah's birthplace, with a week-long program of cultural, educational, and community activities. Kenyan Pan-Africanist scholar Prof. Patrick Loch Otieno Lumumba is among the headline guests for this year's celebration. The festival aims to promote Nkrumah's legacy and foster a greater understanding of his contributions to Ghana and Africa.
Nketiah expressed gratitude to Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah for instituting NkrumahFest, which he sees as an attempt to purge Ghana of the shame it brought upon itself by denigrating Nkrumah's image. He believes that this festival will help to restore Nkrumah's legacy and promote a more positive understanding of his contributions to Ghana's development.
The celebration of Nkrumah's legacy continues to be an important event in Ghana, with various stakeholders coming together to honor his memory and promote his ideals. As Ghana continues to reflect on its history and its development, the legacy of Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah remains an essential part of the country's narrative.
Key points
- NDC Chairman Asiedu Nketiah questions Ghana's denigration of Kwame Nkrumah's image despite global recognition as 'African of the Century'.
- Asiedu Nketiah credits Nkrumah's Free Compulsory Universal Basic Education policy for changing his life and enabling him to become the NDC National Chairman.
- The 2026 NkrumahFest aims to promote Nkrumah's legacy and foster a greater understanding of his contributions to Ghana and Africa.
