Ghana commemorates 44th Anniversary of Dr Nkrumah

By Francis Ameyibor
Accra, April 27, GNA - The Government and People of Ghana on Wednesday commemorated the 44th Anniversary of the death of Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana's First President.

On April 27, 1972, death laid its icy hands on Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah in Bucharest, Romania.

The tranquil 44th anniversary ceremony took the form of brief recount of the death of Dr Nkrumah by Professor Francis Nkrumah, and messages from Mr Ivor Kobina Greenstreet, presidential candidate of the Convention Peoples Party (CPP) and Mr Opon Fosu, Minister of State, Office of the President, on behalf of the Government and people of Ghana.

Six wreaths were laid at the Nkrumah Memorial Mausoleum by Mr Opon Fosu on behalf of the Government and People of Ghana; Prof. Nkrumah on behalf of the Nkrumah family and Prof. Edmund Delle, CPP Chairman and Leader, on behalf of the party.

The rest were laid by Hajia Hamdatu Ibrahim Haruna, CPP First Vice Chairperson, on behalf of women; Mr Kwaku Dadzi on behalf of the youth; and Ex-Sergeant Daniel Alolga Akata Pore on behalf of the Socialists Forum of Ghana.

Mr Greenstreet noted that the ideals and ideas of Osagyefo Dr Nkrumah were still relevant in today's political and economic development adding that he was laying a solid foundation for economic liberation of Ghana which was truncated by diabolical retrogressive forces.

He described Dr Nkrumah as an incorruptible, hardworking, visionary and outstanding thinker who was committed to serving Ghana and Africa.

He said Dr Nkrumah's achievements were not only remarkable in Ghana but globally recognised and admired, which led to many people across the world voting him as the greatest African in the 20th Century.

Mr Greenstreet said Dr Nkrumah inspired the mobilisation of the African people and their leaders in the political struggle against apartheid and the total liberation of the continent from the chains of colonial rule and exploitation.

Mr Opon Fosu, on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama, said Dr Nkrumah dedicated his life not only for the development of Ghana and Africa but for humanity in general.

He called for acknowledgement of national heroes irrespective of their political, economic, social and religious status.

Mr Opon Fosu said: 'The country should resolve never to reduce and antagonise the image of any personality. Irrespective of our political affiliations we are one people with a common destiny'.

Prof. Nkrumah, who recounted the event leading to Dr Nkrumah's death on April 27, 1972, described it as 'sad, shocking and tragic'.

Professor Delle, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency, said the magnificent statue mounted in front of the African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa, in honour of Dr Nkrumah, depicted his brand of selfless and exemplary leadership for Africans and the Pan-African world.

'It is understandable that many of us will naturally yearn for the return of Dr Nkrumah to our earthly life, in order to lead us courageously and inspiringly for the second time in our current struggle against neo-colonialism and exploitative and impoverishing globalisation,' he said.

Prof Delle advised Africans to reflect upon the vision of Dr Nkrumah to effectively tackle the challenges of transforming the African Continent into developed and prosperous world of freedom and justice, accelerated creation and equitable distribution of wealth for all.

Osagyefo Dr Nkrumah led Ghana to independence from British colonial rule in 1957 and served as Ghana's first Prime Minister and President.

Dr Nkrumah, described as influential 20th Century advocate of Pan-Africanism, was a founding member of the Organisation of African Unity and was the winner of the Lenin Peace Prize in 1962.

In February 1966, while Dr Nkrumah was on a state visit to North Vietnam and China, his government was overthrown in a military coup.

Dr Nkrumah lived in exile in Conakry, Guinea as the guest of President Ahmed Sékou Touré, who made him honorary co-president of the country.

In failing health, he flew to Bucharest, Romania, for medical treatment in August 1971. He died on April 27, 1972 at the age of 62.

GNA