95th Birthday of Ghana's First President Celebrated

Accra, Sept 21, GNA- The African Youth Command (AYC) and the Council of Elders of the Convention Peoples Party (CPP) on Tuesday celebrated the 95th birthday of Ghana's First President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah and called on Africa to free itself from the manipulations and shackles of colonial masters.

"With the advent of globalisation, Africa is gradually disintegrating and loosing its will power of being independent and managing its affairs efficiently.

'As we take advantage of globalisation, we should draw the lines on where and how to tread with the colonial masters so as not to fall to their whims and caprices", the various speakers who addressed the symposium to mark the day said.

The symposium, held at the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, where the first President's mortal remain is kept for public viewing, was attended by Chiefs of the Ga Traditional Council, diplomats, some African-Americans, members of the Young Pioneer Officers Association and those of CPP and AYC.

A traditional ruler, Nii Amaakai III, the Asere Djaasetse stressed the importance of celebrating Dr Nkrumah all over Africa. He described him as a leader who lived and ruled in peace with the chiefs of Ga State as well as sought the unity of all Africans.

A former Diplomat, Alhaji Osuman Barre, urged African leaders to direct their technologies into developing the lot of the underprivileged and deprived people of the continent so they would not be attracted to the so-called greener pastures of the European".

Mr Kwaku Yakubu, Resource Consultant of the AYC, in his tribute to Dr Nkrumah said: "whether Kwame Nkrumah did right or did not do right, one thing is clear, his positive postulations on the world stage outclassed any African ever, and placed him tall among his peers . . ."

He said Dr Nkrumah, during his time was able to fire the imagination of his generation, both black and coloured people around the world with his leadership role against colonialism, racism and inequality.

Mr Yakubu said because of the greatness of Dr Nkrumah, the Park where his remains was kept continued to attract visitors, including Heads of State and other dignitaries.

He disclosed that the Park, for instance recorded 50,712 visitors last year and 25,357 visitors between January and June this year. He however, added that more effort must be put in to "make the place a truly sacred ground for those who will always love and cherish the freedom proclaimed by Dr Nkrumah many decades ago that heralded the end of colonialism".