National Chairman of Ghana's National Democratic Congress, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, has lauded the country's first President, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, as a transformational leader whose policies and vision continue to shape Ghana. Speaking at the 2026 NkrumahFest in Nkroful, Ellembelle District, Mr. Asiedu Nketiah described himself as an "unrepentant Nkrumaist" due to the direct impact of Nkrumah-era policies on his life. The event marked Dr. Nkrumah's 117th birthday, with the theme "Nkrumah @ 117: Celebrating His Enduring Legacy – Africa Must Unite or Perish."
The 2026 NkrumahFest, established by Ellembelle MP and Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, aims to commemorate Dr. Nkrumah's life and legacy. Mr. Asiedu Nketiah expressed gratitude to Mr. Armah-Kofi Buah for instituting the festival, describing it as crucial for preserving and promoting Ghana's first President's legacy. He noted that the continued international recognition of Dr. Nkrumah made it essential for Ghanaians to properly preserve his historical legacy.
Mr. Asiedu Nketiah shared a personal anecdote about how a government education policy enabled him to receive formal education. He was picked up by the Young Pioneers while on the streets of Sehwi, and his relatives were warned that, under the free compulsory universal basic education policy, his parents had to send him to school or face prosecution. This intervention changed the course of his life, ultimately leading him to become the National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress.
The NDC National Chairman emphasized the significance of proper recognition of Dr. Nkrumah's role in modern Ghana's formation. He argued that efforts to place Nkrumah on the same historical footing as other personalities involved in the independence struggle failed to adequately reflect his contribution. The territories that constituted modern Ghana existed as separate entities before independence, and Nkrumah played a central role in uniting them.
Mr. Asiedu Nketiah highlighted Dr. Nkrumah's pivotal role in bringing together the Gold Coast Colony, the Ashanti Kingdom, the Northern Territories, and Trans-Volta Togoland to form the Ghana that exists today. He maintained that Nkrumah's contribution to Ghana's independence and nation-building deserved distinct recognition. The NkrumahFest 2026 features a week-long program of cultural, educational, and community activities.
The event, held in Nkroful, Dr. Nkrumah's birthplace, includes a grand durbar and welcomes Kenyan Pan-Africanist scholar Prof. Patrick Loch Otieno Lumumba as a headline guest. Mr. Asiedu Nketiah's remarks at the festival underscored the importance of preserving Dr. Nkrumah's legacy and promoting his vision for a united Africa.
The 2026 NkrumahFest celebration demonstrates the ongoing impact of Dr. Nkrumah's policies and legacy on Ghanaian society. As the country continues to reflect on its history and development, the recognition of Nkrumah's contributions serves as a testament to his enduring influence.
Key points
- Johnson Asiedu Nketiah praises Kwame Nkrumah's transformative leadership and policies at 2026 NkrumahFest in Ghana's Western Region.
- Nkrumah's policies had a direct impact on Asiedu Nketiah's life, enabling him to receive formal education.
- Asiedu Nketiah argues that Nkrumah's contribution to Ghana's independence and nation-building deserves distinct recognition.
