Atta-Mills deserves credit for Nkrumah’s statue to AU Headquarters

Historian Dr Yaw Anokye-Frimpong says former President John Evans Atta Mills deserves recognition for placing Kwame Nkrumah’s statue at the African Union.

Dr Anokye-Frimpong made the remarks during an interview on Angel FM, where he highlighted what he described as an often overlooked decision that elevated Ghana’s founding president, Kwame Nkrumah, on the continental stage.

“We shouldn’t forget former President Mills who sent Nkrumah’s statue to the African Union headquarters,” he noted.

He argued that the gesture was not automatic, stressing that multiple African nations had equal historical claims. According to him, more than 20 countries came together in 1963 to establish the Organisation of African Unity, meaning Nkrumah’s recognition was not guaranteed.

Dr Anokye-Frimpong further noted that Africa now comprises 54 countries, many of which would have preferred their own founding leaders to be honoured at the continental body’s headquarters. In his view, this makes the decision by Mills particularly significant, as it ensured Nkrumah’s enduring presence at what is now the African Union.

He maintained that such historical choices shape narratives about leadership and influence across Africa, adding that Ghana’s role in promoting Nkrumah’s legacy should not be understated.

The historian, also known as Lawyer Anokye-Frimpong, used the discussion to revisit broader debates about Ghana’s political history and how national figures are remembered. He emphasised that Nkrumah’s contributions to Pan-Africanism continue to resonate beyond Ghana’s borders, making his recognition at the AU symbolically important.

Dr Anokye-Frimpong also touched on his past experiences in Ghana’s media landscape, alleging that his outspoken views have at times attracted resistance. He claimed that during the tenure of former President Nana Akufo-Addo, he was removed from a programme on the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation after praising Nkrumah.

“I know he is listening to me. Some time ago, when he was in power, I was speaking on GBC, and he rang them to have me removed from the show because I was heaping too much praise on Nkrumah and not him or JB Danquah,” he said.

“So for a whole year, I wasn’t going to GBC. This is not defamation. I’m telling you the truth,” he added.

Dr Anokye-Frimpong argued that such actions could affect a leader’s credibility, particularly in international engagements, including discussions on reparations.

His comments have reignited conversations about historical recognition and the legacy of Ghana’s past leaders within the broader African context.