On Thursday, September 21, 2023, Ghana will observe Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Day, a statutory public holiday dedicated to honoring the birthday of Ghana’s inaugural President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah.
Dr. Nkrumah was born on September 21, 1909, in Nkroful, near Axim in the Nzema East Municipality of the Western Region, then known as the Gold Coast and now as Ghana.
This year’s commemoration would have marked Dr. Nkrumah’s 114th birthday had he been alive on Thursday. In the past, this date was celebrated as Founder’s Day in remembrance of the man who steered the nation to independence, a significant milestone in the sub-region.
However, following the New Public Holidays Act, 2018, which amended the Public Holidays Act, 2001, September 21 is now observed as the birthday of Ghana’s first President.
This act replaced three public holidays, including September 21, and introduced two new holidays: January 7, celebrated as Constitution Day, and August 4, observed as Founders’ Day.
Various activities have been planned to mark this year’s celebration. Organizers, led by Hon Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, Deputy Minority Leader and Member of Parliament for Ellembelle Constituency in the Western Region, have initiated a clean-up exercise in Nkroful’s main streets, the hometown of Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, as part of the preparations.
Additionally, a soccer competition involving nine community teams at NASS Park will take place on Monday, September 18, 2023, to promote unity and readiness for the main event. On September 20, 2023, a light procession and a cake-cutting ceremony will be held, culminating in a midnight cake cutting session at Osagyefo’s mother’s residence.
The main event on September 21, 2023, will feature an SHS Symposium at NASS Yinsin Hall, focusing on the life of Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, from his birth to the struggle for independence and his achievements as Ghana’s first President. The subsequent day, September 22, 2023, will witness the “Nkroful Goes Pink” event and a talent show, with a visit to tourist sites in Nkroful and a talent hunt show at Mausoleum Park.
The grand finale on September 23, 2023, will comprise a grand durbar and homecoming event at NASS Park, bringing together Chiefs, diplomats, and visitors to Nkroful. The day will feature a colorful procession of masquerades, dances, and cultural displays, followed by a musical stage honoring five music legends in Ghana. The event will conclude with a special Nzema food Bazaar.
The celebration is made possible with the support of Golden Empire Legacy Limited, Maaha Beach Resort, and The GEM Media.
Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, a politician, political theorist, and revolutionary, played a pivotal role in Ghana’s history. He became the first Prime Minister and President of Ghana, leading the nation to independence from British rule in 1957.
Dr. Nkrumah was a fervent advocate of Pan-Africanism and a founding member of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), now known as the African Union (AU). His vision and dedication to self-governance continue to resonate, shaping Ghana’s place in the annals of Africa’s political liberation.