The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has called on Ghanaians to honour Dr Kwame Nkrumah by protecting the country's natural resources. Speaking at the 2026 NkrumahFest at Nkroful, Mr Buah emphasized the importance of looking after Ghana's rivers and forests for future generations. This, he said, is part of honouring the Osagyefo and requires the same determination that drove the independence struggle.
The celebration marks Nkrumah's 117th birthday under the theme “Nkrumah @117: Celebrating His Enduring Legacy – Africa Must Unite or Perish”. Mr Buah asked Ghanaians to support the government's fight against illegal mining and environmental degradation. He also urged the public to remember Nkrumah with pride and assess whether Ghana and Africa are becoming what he envisioned.
Mr Buah said Nkrumah's legacy is measured by the institutions and projects that still serve Ghanaians. He named the Akosombo Dam, Tema Harbour, the Adomi Bridge, the University of Ghana, and the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation as examples. These projects, he noted, were conceived for future generations, not for the next election.
On Pan-Africanism, Mr Buah questioned whether Africa has made enough progress towards the political and economic integration Nkrumah wanted. He recalled Nkrumah's belief that Ghana's independence was incomplete without the liberation of the continent. Mr Buah pointed to the difficulties people face with movement and border arrangements between Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire as proof that Africans still meet practical obstacles to integration.
Mr Buah challenged young Ghanaians to treat Nkrumah's legacy as a responsibility, not just a chapter in history. He emphasized the need to revive innovation, courage, self-reliance, and commitment to causes larger than oneself. This, he said, will help build societies where citizens prosper without being left behind.
The Minister also thanked President John Dramani Mahama and the government for supporting the Nkrumah commemorations and making Nkrumah's birthday Founders’ Day. NkrumahFest is held every year at Nkroful, Nkrumah's birthplace, and the 2026 programme runs for a week with cultural, educational, and community activities.
The NkrumahFest 2026 celebrations serve as a reminder of the significance of Nkrumah's legacy and its relevance to Ghana's development. Mr Buah's call to action emphasizes the need for collective responsibility in protecting Ghana's natural resources and promoting Pan-Africanism. The event aims to inspire a new generation to build on Nkrumah's vision for a united and self-reliant Africa.
Key points
- The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, urges Ghanaians to protect the country's rivers and forests to honour Dr Kwame Nkrumah.
- Nkrumah's legacy is measured by the institutions and projects that still serve Ghanaians, such as the Akosombo Dam and the University of Ghana.
- Mr Buah challenges young Ghanaians to treat Nkrumah's legacy as a responsibility and not just a chapter in history.
