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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