By Richard Ernest Kirk-mensah
Western Regional Communications Officer, National Democratic Congress (NDC)

“Kwame Nkrumah Never Dies!”

Richard Ernest Kirk-mensah, Western Regional Communications Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has commended the Member of Parliament for Ellembelle and Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, for conceiving, championing and institutionalising Nkrumafest and the Journey to Nkroful. According to Kirk-Mensah, the initiative goes beyond the celebration of a historical figure, describing it as an important effort to reclaim Ghana’s history, identity and national memory.

Celebrating the Nkrumah Legacy

Kirk-Mensah noted that Nkrumafest provides Ghana with an opportunity to celebrate Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, whose vision, courage and Pan-African ideals played a significant role in Ghana’s independence and inspired liberation movements across Africa. He said the festival offers an important platform to reflect on Nkrumah’s contribution to Ghana and the wider African liberation struggle.

Taking Nkrumah’s Story Back to Nkroful

A major significance of the initiative, Kirk-Mensah observed, is its connection to Nkroful, the birthplace of Kwame Nkrumah. He said taking the story of Nkrumah back to Nkroful helps connect younger generations to Ghana’s history, culture and heritage.

“This is much more than a festival. It is a reclamation of our history, identity and national memory,” Kirk-Mensah said.

He stressed that a nation that forgets its history risks losing an important part of its identity.

Preserving Ghana’s Historical Narrative

Kirk-Mensah also called for an honest and comprehensive account of Ghana’s history, particularly the contributions of individuals and movements that played important roles in the country’s independence struggle and the building of the Republic. He argued that history should not be selectively interpreted for political convenience.

“We owe future generations an honest account of where we came from, who contributed to our independence and the ideas that shaped our nation,” he stated.

For him, this is one of the reasons Nkrumafest matters.

Call for National Recognition

Kirk-Mensah expressed the hope that the Parliament of Ghana would give Nkrumafest appropriate statutory and national recognition and make it a permanent feature of Ghana’s national calendar. He noted that governments may change, political parties may alternate in power and ideologies may differ, but Ghana’s history belongs to all citizens. He therefore argued that the legacy of Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah should transcend partisan politics and remain part of the country’s collective national heritage.

“You Are Helping a Generation Remember”

Kirk-Mensah further praised Hon. Armah-Kofi Buah’s commitment to keeping the Nkrumah legacy alive.

“Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, your commitment to keeping the Nkrumah legacy alive deserves recognition,” he said.

“You are not merely celebrating a historical figure. You are helping a generation remember.”

He maintained that initiatives such as Nkrumafest can provide younger Ghanaians with an opportunity to engage with the country’s history and understand the people and ideas that helped shape the nation.

“As Long as Ghana Remembers, Kwame Nkrumah Never Dies”

Concluding his tribute, Kirk-Mensah reaffirmed the enduring significance of the Nkrumah legacy.

“And as long as Ghana remembers, Kwame Nkrumah never dies!”

He ended with a declaration of national and Pan-African pride:

Osagyefo lives!
Ghana lives!
Africa lives! 🇬🇭✊🏾🌍

He also extended his goodwill to Hon. Armah-Kofi Buah, saying:

“God richly bless you, Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah. Indeed, you are a true son of Osagyefo.”