Nkrumah’s vision must go beyond statues and commemorations – Armah-Kofi Buah
By: Godbless Asaana
Member of Parliament for Ellembelle and Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has called on Ghanaians and Africans to renew their commitment to the ideals of self-determination, Pan-Africanism and shared prosperity championed by Ghana’s first President, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah.
Armah-Kofi Buah, who is also the Convener of the NkrumahFest, made the call at the 2026 edition of the festival held at Nkroful in the Ellembelle District of the Western Region.
The celebration, held under the theme “Nkrumah @ 117: Celebrating His Enduring Legacy – Africa Must Unite or Perish,” brought together traditional leaders, political leaders, academics, young people and members of the public.
He said the festival should not be treated merely as an annual commemoration but as an opportunity for Ghanaians to critically examine whether the country and the continent are building the future envisioned by Dr. Nkrumah.
“We are here to recommit, to renew publicly and unequivocally our pledge to the ideals of self-determination, Pan-Africanism and the shared prosperity that he lived and died for.”
Reflecting on Dr. Nkrumah’s 117th birthday, Mr. Armah-Kofi Buah said his legacy should be assessed by the lasting institutions and infrastructure established under his leadership rather than only through statues, photographs and ceremonies.
He cited the Akosombo Dam, Tema Harbour, Adomi Bridge, the University of Ghana, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), the University of Cape Coast, Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, Bank of Ghana and State Housing Corporation as examples of projects and institutions whose impact continues to be felt.
According to him, Nkrumah’s development agenda was driven by a long-term vision rather than immediate political considerations.
“Kwame Nkrumah’s developmental projects and vision were never conceived for the next election. They were conceived for the next generation.”
The Minister said that principle should guide contemporary national development efforts, particularly as Ghana seeks sustainable solutions to its economic and social challenges.
He further highlighted Nkrumah’s Pan-African vision, saying the former President understood that Ghana’s independence could not be separated from the liberation and development of the wider African continent.
Quoting Dr. Nkrumah, he said: “We face neither East nor West, we face forward.”
Armah-Kofi Buah also pointed to the difficulties Africans continue to face when travelling across national borders as evidence that the continent’s integration agenda remains unfinished.
He cited the experience of relatives travelling from Côte d’Ivoire to Ghana who, according to him, spent almost two hours at the Elubo border.
The Minister urged Ghanaians to make Nkrumah’s ideals relevant to present-day challenges by embracing self-reliance, innovation and long-term national development.
He also called for greater public support in the fight against illegal mining and environmental degradation, stressing the need to protect Ghana’s rivers, forests and other natural resources.
“To honour his legacy is to defend the soil beneath us with the exact unyielding courage he showed in the struggle for Ghana’s emancipation.”
Armah-Kofi Buah said protecting Ghana’s natural resources should be considered a civic responsibility and part of preserving the country’s inheritance for future generations.
He commended President John Dramani Mahama and the government for supporting the commemoration and recognising Dr. Nkrumah’s contribution to Ghana’s history.
He said the annual NkrumahFest at Nkroful should continue to provide a platform for education, reflection and the transmission of Nkrumah’s ideals to younger generations.
“Let us be the hands that carry Osagyefo’s dream and values forward.”
He urged participants to move beyond remembering Dr. Nkrumah and actively apply his principles of self-determination, Pan-Africanism, innovation and national development to contemporary challenges.
Discover more from Today Ghana
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
South Africa: 52-year-old arrested with heroin worth over R2m after arriving from Accra 
Nkrumah’s dream of united Africa remains unfinished – P.L.O Lumumba 
Upper East Police kill three suspected robbers, recover guns, stolen motorbikes 
Arresting Salome won’t solve social media dispute – Martin Kpebu 
Stop denying duly admitted boarding students accommodation – GES to School Heads 
NACOC: Cocaine suspects were under surveillance for up to two years 
NPP cannot win cocaine debate in Ghana – Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor writes 
Nkrumah’s vision must go beyond statues and commemorations – Armah-Kofi Buah 