Ghana celebrates Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Day, September 21 2023
This holiday on 21 September was formerly called Founders’ Day. However, there has long been a movement in Ghana to celebrate 4 August as Founders’ Day instead of or in addition to 21 September. Nonetheless, six major independence frontiers, not just one and other contributed to securing Ghana’s freedom as well. This measure has prospered, and the holiday on 21 September has now been renamed as Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Day, with a new public holiday on 4 August fused to the national calendar.
Nkrumah was prime minister just before and after Ghana gained its independence from the British Empire in 1957. And he was the major force pushing for independence with the most influence. He then became the nation’s first president upon the passing of a new constitution in 1960.
Kwame Nkrumah lived 12 years abroad, acquiring an education and organising before returning to his home country, founding a political party, and leading the independence movement.
Nkrumah put socialistic policies in place during his time in office, and he also undertook many big national projects to strengthen the economy and the educational system. But in 1966, he was thrown out of office by the National Liberation Council, which also privatised some state-owned corporations.
Despite being a controversial figure in Ghana’s history and the controversy surrounding Nkrumah alone among Ghana’s founders getting a special day of recognition, many people in Ghana watch parades, listen to speeches, and remember Nkrumah’s positive achievement every 21 September.
History of Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Day
In 1874, Britain took control over parts of Ghana, naming them the British Gold Coast.
Britain was weakened by the efforts of World War II and following a rising desire for independence, Ghana was the first sub-Saharan African country to achieve independence, on March 6th 1957.
Dr. Nkrumah was the driving force behind the independence of Ghana from British rule and founded the Convention People’s Party (CPP).
Nkrumah will always be remembered for the powerful speech he delivered on the day Ghana gained independence, March 6th 1957, proclaiming “Ghana will be free forever”, from British rule, to millions of Ghanaian gathered at the Independence Square now Black Stars Square. The speech was significant as it relinquished the British control over the Gold coast.
In 1960, Prime Minister Osagyefo Dr. Kwame was sworn into office as the first President of the country and the republic was proclaimed on July 1st 1960.
In February 1966, while Nkrumah on a state visit to Vietnam and China, his government was overthrown in a military coup. Nkrumah never returned to Ghana and died in April 1972.
In September 2009, President John Atta Mills declared September 21st (the centenary of Kwame Nkrumah’s birth in 1909) to be Founder’s Day, a statutory holiday in Ghana
