The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has called on Ghanaians to embrace the long-term vision of the country’s first President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, urging citizens to commit to national projects that go beyond political cycles. Speaking in Nkroful in the Western Region during the 116th birthday celebration of Dr Nkrumah on Sunday, September 21, 2025, Mr Buah reminded attendees that the late President’s legacy was built for generations, not just short-term political gain.
“Dr Nkrumah’s projects were not for the next election but for the next century,” he declared. He said the spirit of the annual Nkrumahfest celebration must inspire a new wave of nation-building that is anchored on sustainability, unity, and courage. He encouraged Ghanaians to put aside partisan interests and focus on initiatives that benefit the country for decades to come.
Mr Buah, who is also the Member of Parliament for Ellembelle, did not hesitate to raise concerns about illegal small-scale mining, commonly referred to as galamsey. He described the activity as a form of environmental terrorism that is slowly eroding Ghana’s natural wealth and putting public health at risk. “The River Ankobra is polluted just because only a few people can be rich at the expense of others,” he said, highlighting the urgent need for collective action to protect the environment. He warned that the destruction of rivers, forests, and farmlands threatens not just today’s population but also the health and future of newborn babies.
The celebration, themed “Journey to Nkroful: Unite, Celebrate and Enjoy,” drew a wide range of attendees including government officials, traditional leaders, academics, and cultural groups. It was a colourful durbar that honoured Dr Nkrumah as a liberator, visionary, and architect of modern Ghana. Tourism Minister Abla Dzifa Gomashie announced that Nkrumahfest has now been adopted as a national celebration, a move that elevates the legacy of the country’s founding father. Samia Nkrumah, the daughter of Dr Nkrumah, expressed gratitude to President John Dramani Mahama for restoring Founder’s Day as a national holiday. She said her father’s vision for freedom, unity, and industrialisation remains a guiding light not just for Ghana but for the whole of Africa.
Traditional leaders, including Nana Kwesi Kutua of Nkroful and Nana Kobina Nketiah, Omanhene of Essikado, made appeals for the development of Nkroful, calling for a hospital and a university to support the emerging petroleum hub. They also urged political parties to put aside partisanship and embrace Dr Nkrumah’s ideals of selflessness and national unity. The durbar included cultural performances and tributes that celebrated Nkrumah’s unmatched contributions to African liberation. Speakers at the event agreed that Ghana must revive his model of leadership, one built for posterity and not political expediency.
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