Mr Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, Member of Parliament for Ellembelle and Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, has unveiled the Osagyefo Roundabout at Sanzule, near Eikwe, in honour of Dr Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana's first President. The unveiling was part of activities marking the 117th anniversary of Dr Nkrumah's birth. The monument recognises Dr Nkrumah as an iconic figure who led Ghana's independence struggle and championed African liberation.
During the unveiling, Mr Armah-Kofi Buah said Nzemaland produced a son who led Ghana to independence, but the area experienced over 30 years of darkness following Dr Nkrumah's overthrow. He noted that Dr Nkrumah's detractors attempted to erase his name from Ghana's history, including removing his image from the country's currency, but their efforts were unsuccessful. The Osagyefo Roundabout is a monument to self-reliance, symbolizing Ghana's ability to stand on its own.
Professor Patrick Loch Otieno Lumumba, a Kenyan lawyer and Pan-Africanist, who unveiled the monument alongside Mr Armah-Kofi Buah, praised Dr Nkrumah's legacy, saying it endures because his ideals, memories, and philosophy continue to live on. Prof Lumumba commended Mr Armah-Kofi Buah for honouring Dr Nkrumah, saying the late President deserved lasting recognition for his contribution to Pan-Africanism.
Mr Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), highlighted that two prominent figures associated with Ghana's pre-independence political struggle, Paa Grant of the United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC) and Dr Nkrumah, founder of the Convention People's Party (CPP), were both sons of Nzemaland. He noted that attempts to obliterate Dr Nkrumah's name from Ghana's history had failed, and his legacy continues to be recognised.
Dr Nkrumah's daughter, Madam Samia Yaba Nkrumah, expressed her family's appreciation to Mr Armah-Kofi Buah for the honour. She said the family looks forward to seeing many people in contemporary governance who embody Dr Nkrumah's ideals of freedom, development, prosperity, and self-reliance. The Government plans to renovate Dr Nkrumah's residence in his father's hometown of Half-Assini next year to preserve his memory and legacy.
The Osagyefo Roundabout at Sanzule serves as a reminder of Dr Nkrumah's significant role in Ghana's history. Dr Nkrumah was recognised as an African Man of the Millennium, and his legacy continues to inspire Ghanaians. The unveiling of the monument is a testament to the country's commitment to honouring its past leaders and preserving its history.
The event was well-attended by various dignitaries, including Prof Lumumba and Mr Asiedu Nketiah. The unveiling of the Osagyefo Roundabout at Sanzule is a significant milestone in Ghana's efforts to preserve its history and honour its past leaders.
Key points
- The unveiling of the Osagyefo Roundabout at Sanzule is part of activities marking the 117th anniversary of Dr Kwame Nkrumah's birth.
- Dr Nkrumah's legacy endures because his ideals, memories, and philosophy continue to live on.
- The Government plans to renovate Dr Nkrumah's residence in his father's hometown of Half-Assini next year to preserve his memory and legacy.
