Omanghana
National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, has called on Ghanaians to uphold the image and legacy of Ghana’s first President, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah.
Speaking at NkrumahFest 2026 in Nkroful in the Western Region on September 19, 2026, Mr Asiedu Nketia criticized attempts to diminish Nkrumah’s contribution to Ghana’s independence and national development.
The festival marked the 117th anniversary of Nkrumah’s birth under the theme, “Nkrumah @ 117: Celebrating His Enduring Legacy – Africa Must Unite or Perish.”
Mr Asiedu Nketia questioned why some Ghanaians continued to denigrate the former President despite the international recognition he had received for his contribution to Ghana, Africa’s liberation and the pursuit of continental unity.
Describing himself as an “unrepentant Nkrumahist,” the NDC chairman said his life and political journey were significantly influenced by policies introduced under Nkrumah’s administration.
He explained that his family initially intended for him to remain at home to manage cocoa farms and undertake traditional responsibilities. However, access to free education introduced during Nkrumah’s era enabled him to pursue formal schooling and follow a different path.
Mr Asiedu Nketia also maintained that Nkrumah deserved distinct recognition as Ghana’s sole founder. He argued that Nkrumah’s political leadership and independence struggle helped unite the territories that eventually formed modern Ghana.
According to him, attempts to place Nkrumah on the same historical level as other independence-era figures failed to acknowledge the unique role he played in securing sovereignty and shaping the country’s early development.
He further renewed calls for Kotoka International Airport to be renamed in honor of Nkrumah.
Mr Asiedu Nketia argued that Major General Emmanuel Kwasi Kotoka, who participated in the 1966 coup that removed Nkrumah from office, should not have his name attached to an airport whose development was strongly associated with Nkrumah’s administration.
He urged Ghanaians to preserve Nkrumah’s legacy and ensure that future generations receive an accurate account of his contribution to Ghana’s independence, industrialization and the wider African liberation movement.
Source: Omanghana
