Nkrumah's centenary celebration planning committee inaugurated

By Edmund Mingle

Vice President John Dramani Mahama yesterday inaugurated the planning committee for the Centenary birthday celebration of Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, with a charge to plan a befitting but less expensive celebration.

“This is a paradox you have to deal with, because we want a celebration befitting the stature Dr. Nkrumah, and yet it should we should be modest in view of the national economic challenges,” he told the members of the Committee at the Castle, Osu in Accra.

“The intention of government is to have befitting celebration for our first President who championed both African independence and unity,” he said.

He also asked the 18-member Committee chaired by Professor Akilakpa Sawyerr, Secretary General of the Association of African Universities, to ensure high level of transparency and accountability in its operations since they would be required to render proper accounts to Ghanaians at the end of their work.

The Committee which is a mix of politicians from various parties, academicians, historians among others, is expected plan the nature of the celebration including the duration, events, the drawing up of a budget and the implementation of activities marking the celebration which would be climaxed on September 21 this year, Dr. Nkrumah’s birthday.

They would also arrange the invitations of foreign dignitaries, especially Nkrumh’s comrades from across Africa, for the celebration.

It addition, the committee is expected to undertake the collection historical items such as artifacts, art works and monuments depicting the life of Dr. Nkrumah for proper storage.

Vice President Mahama commended the members fro accepting to serve on the Committee and said a Secretariat would be set up for them to operate.

He said the government would also provided the needed budget and also undertake a fundraising campaign to mobilize fund from the private sector in support of the celebration.

He, however, cautioned the committee to avoid the mistakes in the past that characterised the organisation of such activities such as the Ghana@50 celebration where proper accounting was not done, adding the committee would be asked to account for every penny.


The members are Prof. Badu Akosa, Kwesi Pratt Jnr, Prof. Nii Noi Dowuona, Bernard Mornah, Dr Esi Sutherland Addy, Dr. Sekou Nkrumah , Dr. Don Arthur , Dr. Yao Graham, Rev. Chris Hesse, Mohammed Ben Abdallah , Mr. J. H. Cobbinah , Mr. Ladi Nylander, Mr. Nat Mainoo, Madam. Araba Bentsi Enchill, Mrs. Bernice Deh-Kumah, Hon. A. Asuom Ahensan, and Dr. Alhassan Iddrisu.