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Ghana celebrates Nkrumah’s 117th birthday
Nkroful became a tourist attraction as hundreds of residents and visitors gathered at the Ellembelle District of the Western Region in honour of Ghana’s first President, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah.
The 2026 Nkrumahfest celebrations, which marked Dr Nkrumah’s 117th birthday, was held under the theme: “Nkrumah @117: Celebrating His Enduring Legacy – Africa Must Unite or Perish.”
The celebrations formed part of a week-long programme which included a community football gala, communal labour, a candlelight procession, inter-faith service, homecoming activities, food and cultural competitions, a People’s Assembly, school quiz and cultural competitions, brass-band procession, a grand durbar and musical concert.
The climax featured a grand durbar at Nkroful, where speakers called for renewed commitment to the ideals of African unity, self-determination, self-reliance and development associated with Dr Nkrumah.
The festival brought together traditional rulers, political leaders, members of the Nkrumah family, academics, Pan-Africanists and visitors from across Ghana and beyond to reflect on the life, ideas and contribution of the former President to Ghana’s independence and African unity.
The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources and Member of Parliament for Ellembelle, Mr Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, said the celebration should go beyond commemorating the former President and serve as an opportunity for Ghanaians to assess how far the country and Africa had progressed towards his vision.
The festival also provided an opportunity for the people of Nzema to showcase their rich cultural heritage through traditional ceremonies, local cuisine, music and other cultural activities.
The 2026 NkrumahFest therefore ended with renewed calls for Ghanaians and Africans, particularly the youth, to study and draw lessons from Dr Nkrumah’s ideas on African unity, self-reliance and sustainable development.
By Spectator Reporter
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The management of the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park is proposing that the Bank of Ghana replace the image of the Big Six on selected banknotes with the iconic photograph of Dr Kwame Nkrumah declaring Ghana’s independence on March 6, 1957.
The proposal, announced in a statement issued on November 6, 2026, is aimed at broadening the historical representation of Ghana’s heritage on the country’s currency.
According to the Park, although the Big Six played significant roles in Ghana’s independence struggle and deserve recognition, the country’s banknotes should also reflect other important events in its history.
It said the proposal aligns with the Bank of Ghana’s planned introduction of a Heritage Series of banknotes, which is expected to showcase important personalities, events and milestones in the country’s history.
The Park described the March 6, 1957 photograph as a powerful symbol of Ghana’s freedom, sovereignty and contribution to the wider African liberation struggle.
It further noted that the proposed change would be a fitting tribute as Ghana prepares to celebrate 70 years of independence in 2027.
The Acting Executive Director of the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, Collins Rawlings Nunyonameh, PhD, signed the statement.
The Park said Ghana’s currency should not only serve as a medium of exchange but also tell the country’s history and reflect its national identity.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has outlined guidelines for the conduct of its upcoming Regional Elections, including a ban on proxy voting and mandatory identification for all delegates.
In a press release dated November 5, 2026, the party’s General Secretary, Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, stated that all eligible delegates must be physically present at their respective polling centres to cast their votes.
He explained that delegates would be required to present any one of three approved forms of identification: a valid NDC membership card, an official accreditation document or an embossed photograph captured in the approved voters’ register.
According to the guidelines, voting will begin at 7:00 a.m. and close at 4:00 p.m. However, delegates who are already in the queue by the closing time will be allowed to vote.
The party has also assigned the Ghana Police Service sole responsibility for providing security at all election centres.
It further stated that personal security details accompanying government officials or other individuals would not be allowed within designated voting areas.
Mr Kwetey urged aspirants, delegates, supporters and election officials to strictly comply with the guidelines and conduct themselves with discipline and restraint throughout the electoral process.
He called on all stakeholders to work together to ensure peaceful, credible and transparent elections that uphold the party’s democratic values and unity.
By: Jacob Aggrey
