Ghana Celebrates First President
Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, first president of the Republic of Ghana
The President, Professor John Evans Atta today called on Ghanaians to arise and build a better Ghana as Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, first President of Ghana.
He said as a people, Ghanaians must take collective pride in celebrating the 100th birthday of Dr. Nkrumah who led independence struggle and lit the flame that started the liberation struggle of the African Continent.
President Mills made the call in a state broadcast to mark the centenary celebration of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah.
Prof. Mills said the centenary celebration is not for anything but for what he (Dr. Nkrumah) stood for and what he gave the nation.
According to President Mills, Dr. Nkrumah bequeathed to Ghanaians a sense of self worth, national pride and dignity.
He said the first President opened the doors of Ghanaian politics, previously an exclusive domain of the educated elite and wealthy merchant class, to the ordinary people of Ghana.
President Mills described Dr. Nkrumah as a person who broke down ethnic barriers in Ghanaian politics, imbuing in us, a strong sense of oneness, national identity and pride.
The President said Dr. Nkrumah embodied and promoted the Ghanaian identity far beyond the shores of the African Continent, projected Ghana as the true black star of Africa, emphasised the country's independence, its ownership of resources, and the capacity to manage the resources and take charge of ther future.
He therefore called on the youth to take control of their destiny and anchor themselves to the virtues of life. Saying 'there are no shortcuts to success. Hard work is what will bring you genuine success'.
He declared the 21st of September each year to be known and called 'Founder's Day'
'It is our time to build on the legacy of our Founder so that individually and collectively, posterity will also position us properly in the history of Ghana', he added.