The Ghanaian government has unveiled a new monument, the Osagyefo Roundabout, at Sanzule near Eikwe, to honor the country's first President, Kwame Nkrumah. The unveiling ceremony took place on September 20, 2026, to mark the 117th anniversary of Nkrumah's birth. The event was attended by prominent Pan-Africanist Prof Patrick Lumumba and Lands Minister Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah.
The Osagyefo Roundabout is a symbol of self-reliance, according to Minister Armah-Kofi Buah. He noted that Ghana could no longer lean on its colonizers and that the monument represented the country's commitment to independence. The minister also acknowledged that Nzemaland, where Nkrumah was born, had suffered neglect for over three decades following the overthrow of his government.
The unveiling of the monument was part of a series of events to mark Nkrumah's 117th birthday. Prof Patrick Lumumba, a Kenyan lawyer and prominent Pan-Africanist, praised Nkrumah's enduring global significance. He noted that Nkrumah's standing among African leaders of his era was unmatched and that his ideals and philosophy continued to resonate across the continent.
The government has also announced plans to renovate Nkrumah's residence in Half-Assini, his father's hometown, in the coming year. The renovation is part of efforts to preserve Nkrumah's legacy. Minister Armah-Kofi Buah described the plans as a further gesture of preservation.
National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, noted that attempts to erase Nkrumah from Ghana's national memory had repeatedly failed. He stressed that Nkrumah's recognition as an African Man of the Millennium made continued celebration of his legacy entirely fitting. Asiedu Nketiah also highlighted the significance of Nkrumah and Paa Grant, two towering figures from Ghana's pre-independence era, both from Nzemaland.
The Nkrumah family has expressed gratitude to Minister Armah-Kofi Buah for the tribute. Madam Samia Yaba Nkrumah, daughter of the late president, said the family hoped to see more leaders in contemporary governance who genuinely embodied Nkrumah's vision of freedom, development, prosperity, and self-reliance.
Nkrumah's grandson recently made a rare public appearance at the NkrumahFest 2025, where he was seen chanting 'freedom' on the podium. The event was a testament to the continued relevance of Nkrumah's ideals and legacy. The unveiling of the Osagyefo Roundabout and plans to renovate his residence are part of ongoing efforts to honor and preserve Nkrumah's legacy.
Key points
- The Ghanaian government has unveiled a new monument, the Osagyefo Roundabout, to honor Kwame Nkrumah on his 117th birthday.
- The monument is a symbol of self-reliance and represents Ghana's commitment to independence.
- The government also plans to renovate Nkrumah's residence in Half-Assini as part of efforts to preserve his legacy.
