The Ministry for the Interior has declared 21 September 2023 a public holiday.
A statement signed by the Minister of the Interior, Ambrose Dery, said the day “has been declared a public holiday to mark the celebration of Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Day”.
The statement further called on Ghanaians to observe the day as a statutory public holiday throughout the country.
The day is set aside to honour Ghana’s first President, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah.
He was the Prime Minister of the then Gold Coast in the pre-independence period and Africa’s foremost champion of continental unity and liberation of the black race.
The day is usually noted for public lectures and events to commemorate the achievements and legacy of Dr. Nkrumah.
Nkrumah was born on 21 September 1909 at Nkroful in the Western Region.
He attended Achimota School and trained as a teacher. He moved to the United States in 1935 to pursue further studies, receiving a BA from Lincoln University in 1939.
He also received an STB (Bachelor’s degree in Sacred Theology) in 1942, a Master of Science in education from the University of Pennsylvania in 1942, and a Master of Arts in philosophy the following year.
His exposure to the ideas of Pan-Africanism and his encounters with other African intellectuals and activists in these settings ignited his passion for African unity and self-determination.
Nkrumah’s pan-Africanist vision extended beyond Ghana’s borders, and he played a prominent role in the broader African independence movement.
He supported and provided refuge to other African leaders and activists, contributing to the liberation of several African nations from colonial rule.
Despite his achievements, Nkrumah’s leadership faced challenges, including economic difficulties and political opposition.
On February 24, 1966, while he was on a state visit to China seeking peace for Vietnam, Nkrumah was overthrown in a coup d’état.
He died in Bucharest, Romania, on 27 April 1972 at 62.