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Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah remembered 50 years after his death (Part One)
“As far as I am concerned, I am happy in the knowledge that death can never extinguish the torch which I have lit in Ghana and Africa. Long after I am dead and gone, the light will continue to burn and be borne aloft giving light and guidance to all people”. – Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah.
Wednesday, 27th April, 2022 marked the 50th Anniversary of the death of indefatigable Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana’s First President, a Nationalist, a Great Pan Africanist, an intellectual icon with a unique sense of responsibility, a man of vision and foresight, a veritable pillar of truth and moral principles, brave, talented, illustrious and sagacious.
A man of invigorate integrity his personality was vibrant encompassing simplicity and frankness of thought. The purpose of this article is to eulogise this Great Son of Ghana and Africa.
HIS VISIT TO HANOI ON 21ST FEBRUARY, 1966
Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah left the shores of Ghana on a state visit to Hanoi, the Vietnamese capital ostensibly to broker a peace deal to end the American war in Vietnam.
THE 1966 COUP D’ETAT – OPERATION COLD CHOP On 24th February, 1966, the Ghana Police and the Ghana Armed Forces aided and abetted by the sinister forces of imperialism took advantage of his absence from the country and staged a bloody coup that overthrew his government.
The coup was code-named “Operation Cold Chop”, and it was led by Major Emmanuel Kwasi Kotoka.
EXILE, DEATH AND BURIAL
Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah went into exile in Guinea at the invitation of his friend, President Sekon Toure, the President of Guinea who appointed him Honorary Co-President of his country. He stayed in Guinea for six years.
In 1971, felt sick and he was flown to Bucharest, Romania for treatment. He was diagnosed of Prostrate Cancer and on 27th April, 1972, the life of Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, like a candle in the wind, was blown off in this beautiful world.
The Government of Ghana, the National Redemption Council (NRC), under the leadership of Colonel Ignatius Kutu Acheampong engaged in a protracted negotiation for his remains to be flown to Ghana. He was buried in his hometown, Nkroful, in the Western Region on 9th July, 1972.
It is significant to note that the casket that contained his body had this inscription boldly on it. “THE GREAT AFRICAN”, an acknowledgment of the fact that he was truly a Great son of Africa.
RE-BURIAL AT THE MAUSOLEUM
On 1st July, 1992 the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) under the distinguished leadership of Fit.Lt. J.J. Rawlings transferred his remains to The Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum, a tomb which was constructed to honour his memory.
It serves as a Tourist Destination. Many visitors all over the world visit this tomb for excursion and educational purposes. Incidentally, that place was the Polo Ground where he declared Ghana’s independence from Great Britain on 6th March, 1957 – “At long last the battle has ended and thus Ghana your beloved country is free forever.”
So ended the life of a man who was imbued with the spirit of patriotism and nationalism, a man whose unbridled passion for the socio-economic development of his country was his priority. A philosopher par excellence, an astute political and social thinker, an avid reader, a prolific writer, an unswerving and irrepressible upholder of the principle of truth, social and ethical justice.
Even when he embarked upon his journey to the undiscovered world of mystery through whose sojourn no man returns, he had achieved the enviable record and unequalled distinction of being the first in the entire black world who with indomitable will and iron determination fought doggedly with a bull-dog tenacity of purpose to lead his country to free itself from the shackles of colonialism and imperialism.
NKRUMAH’s FAMOUS POLITICAL DICTUM
Dr. Osagyefo Kwame Nkrumah’s political dictum, “The independence of Ghana is meaningless unless it is linked up with the total liberation of the African continent” was significant in the political history of Ghana and Africa.
Through his personal involvement and absolute commitment to the African liberation struggle, his charm and charisma, organisational acumen, razor-sharp intellect and quintessential display of oratorical excellence he demonstrated a superior combination of effective, dynamic and inspirational leadership which set in motion a hurricane of nationalism which was described by Harold Macmillan then Prime Minister of the United Kingdom as “the wind of change blowing through the continent of Africa”, a nationalism which guided the entire colonial world to gain their own sovereign independence from their colonial masters thus ending the invidious colonial oppression.
After Ghana gained independence in 1957, Guinea followed and gained its independence in 1958. Through his persistent and consistent fight for the emancipation of the African continent, in 1960, 17 more colonies in Africa including Nigeria, and nearly all the French African colonies became sovereign independent nations.
Within four years after independence of his rule, 32 African States which were under the colonial yoke gained their independence. Thus, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah’s influence became the political anodyne which healed the colonial wound – oppression, suppression and servitude – a colonial system that had done an incalculable harm to the African Continent.
In fact, it is very important to note that Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah’s political umbilical cord was inextricably linked to the total liberation of Africa and the political unification of the African Continent. Addressing the United Nation’s General Assembly in New York on 23rd September, 1960, he said, “As long as a single foot of African soil remains under foreign domination the world shall know no peace”. …to be continued
The writer is a Former Regional Director,
Ghana National Service Scheme, Takoradi.
By Ken Gyenfi
On Sunday, October 11, 2026, it was the turn of Ghanaian Catholics in Finland to lead the singing in the church service of the African Catholic Chaplaincy in Finland (ACCF).
It was indeed a spirit-filled feeling for worshippers present. And for the Ghanaian migrants, the occasion also brought back to them memories of church services in their home country, Ghana.
The ACCF has a roster for each country/community to sing from time to time. Next Sunday will be the turn of the Nigerian community. Other communities that usually sing are the Kenyan/Tanzanian community, the Cameroonian, the Ugandan, group, etc.
A powerful religious experience
The mass services of the Chaplaincy usually give a powerful religious experience and a display of cultural diversity, especially in occasions such as when the Bishop of Helsinki, Bishop Raimo Goyarrola, celebrated mass with the Chaplaincy on Pentecost Day, May 24, 2026.
There was a similar time of spiritual joy last month (September 27, 2026) when Emeritus Bishop Teemu Sippo, former Bishop of Helsinki, visited the Chaplaincy. Bishop Teemu was the main celebrant, assisted by the Chaplain, Reverend Father Thomas Otieno.
Last Sunday, Reverend Father Bernard Sor, a Ghanaian Catholic priest based in Austria, was the main celebrant in the mass service where he performed a rite of baptism. Fr Bernard had celebrated mass a few months ago when he visited his sister and her husband in Helsinki. 
All these well-attended religious occasions indeed leave lasting memories. The homilies (peaching) by the priests usually emphasize religious tenets such as the importance of loving and serving God in truth, existing in peace with our fellow humans to promote unity in diversity, etc.
Unity in diversity and a colourful display of cultures
The African Chaplaincy church services usually produce impressive displays of diverse cultures from different parts of Africa and elsewhere. The events are often spiced by rich cultural displays of dances and colourful attires which are a delight to watch.
On special occasions, members of the Ghanaian Catholic community, in their gay and colourful kente attire and with adowa dance and music, usually lead the procession into the church. Other communities such as the Cameroonian, Nigerian, Kenyan and Tanzanian as well as Sudanese/South Sudanese groups also put up well-choreographed performances from their cultures.
The African Catholic Chaplaincy in Finland
The African Chaplaincy was founded on June 4, 2017, which was a Pentecost Sunday, in a Pontifical High Mass celebrated by Monsignor Emeritus Sippo S.C.I., the then Bishop of Helsinki, at the St. Mary’s Catholic Parish Church in Helsinki.
The Chaplaincy was created by Bishop Teemu in collaboration with the Diocesan body when they detected a great flocking of African immigrants to Finland, the majority of whom were Catholics. This was to give the immigrants a possibility to integrate into the Finnish society by worshiping as Catholics and in their African cultural identity.
The responsibility of the Chaplaincy was given by Bishop Teemu to Father Dr Leonard Wobilla Shwei, who is thus the first Chaplain and ably led the Chaplaincy. He was succeeded a few years ago by Father Thomas Otieno, who continues to move the Chaplaincy forward. Thank you!
GHANA MATTERS column appears fortnightly. Written in simple, layman’s terms, it concentrates on matters about Ghana and beyond. It focuses on everyday life issues relating to the social, cultural, economic, religious, political, health, sports, youth, gender, etc. It strives to remind us all that Ghana comes first. The column also takes a candid look at the meanings and repercussions of our actions, especially those things we take for granted or even ignore. There are key Ghanaian values we should uphold rather than disregard with impunity. We should not overlook the obvious. We need to search for the hidden or deeply embedded values and try to project them.
With Dr Perpetual Crentsil
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She did not find out he was cheating. She found out he was drowning.
It was two weeks after their beautiful wedding. The jollof was still in the fridge. A loan officer called her number-not his-and politely asked, “Madam, please tell your husband to pay his overdue loan. We have been calling him.”
That was how she discovered her new husband had entered their marriage with a hidden debt of over GH¢ 40,000. No cheating. No other woman. Just a financial secret.
And that is how many Ghanaian marriages begin to die. Not with a shout, but with a secret alert on a phone.
We prepare for the wedding. We do not prepare for the wallet.
What is money honesty?
Let me define it simply. Money honesty is not that you both earn the same. It is that you both know the same. It is the ability to sit down and say without fear:
“This is how much I earn.”
“This is how much I owe.”
“This is how I was raised to see money.”
“This is what scares me about money.”
Financial transparency is not about control. It is about clarity. You cannot build trust on top of secrets.
Many couples tell me, “Counsellor, we love each other, love will handle money.” I always answer, “Love is the car, but money honesty is the fuel. Love without honesty cannot move.”
How To Buy Your Marriage Insurance Today – My 5-Step Protocol
If you are engaged, newly married, or even 20 years in marriage, you can still fix this. At Counsellor Prince & Associates Consult—CPAC, this is what I give couples:
Step 1: The 90-Minute Money Naked Session.
No phones, no blame. Each partner writes down on paper: Monthly income, monthly debts, monthly family obligations, savings, and your biggest money fear. Then you exchange papers. Read it. Don’t react for 24 hours. Just absorb.
Step 2: Create OUR Money, YOUR Money, My Money.
You need three pots. OUR money for rent, food, school fees, utilities, properties, and the like— joint contribution. YOUR money and MY money—a small agreed allowance no one questions. This stops the feeling of being controlled.
Step 3: The No-Secret Debt Rule.
Agree from today: No new loan, no new hire purchase, no new family financial commitment above GHS 500 without telling each other first. Not permission, but information.
Step 4: Talk About Your Money Personality.
Are you a Spender or a Saver? Are you Risky or Safe? Most Ghanaian marriages are a Spender married to a Saver. Neither is wrong. But if you don’t understand your partner’s personality, you will call his saving “stinginess” and her spending “wastefulness.”
Step 5: Do a Monthly 30-Minute Money Date
Not an argument date. Light, with tea. “How did we do this month? What worried you? What should we plan for next month?” Couples who do this divorce far less.
My Final Word
Before you say “I Do” at the altar, have pre-marital counselling and also have the money talk on the sofa.
Ask your partner:
“If I lost my job today, how long can we survive?”
“What debt are you bringing into this marriage?”
“How much do you send to your family monthly and will that continue?”
If he or she gets angry that you asked, don’t get married yet. A person who is angry about accountability will be abusive about money.
Marriage insurance is not bought at Star Assurance or Enterprise. It is bought in honest conversations when no one is watching.
The wedding costs one day. The marriage costs a lifetime. Don’t enter a lifetime contract and covenant with hidden costs.
You can still insure your marriage today.
Source:
Counselor Prince Offei, CPAC’s founder, is a leading Mental Health Professional, Marriage Counsellor, Author, ADR Expert/Arbitrator, and Spectator Newspaper Columnist. He writes on relationships, marriage, parenting, special needs support, and their connection to mental health. For therapy, counselling, or enquiries, contact Counselor Prince & Associates Consult (CPAC) in Accra on 0559850604 / 0551428486.
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