Ghana is today, 21 September marking Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Day.

This holiday commemorates the birthday of Ghana’s main independence leader, first prime minister, and first president, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah.

This holiday on 21 September was previously known as Founder’s Day.

However, the Akufo-Addo-led government chose to rather celebrate 4 August as Founders’ Day with the explanation that a lot of leaders contributed to Ghana’s independence.  

Dr Nkrumah was prime minister just before and after Ghana gained its independence from the British in 1957.

He was the major force who pushed for independence.

He became the nation’s first president after Ghana became a Republic in 1960.

Kwame Nkrumah as president 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.

In 1966, however, he was overthrown in a coup.

Dr Nkrumah was a Pan-Africanist and arguably the greatest African.

He attempted to unite Africa and is always remembered across the continent for his famous independence day speech when he said “independence of Ghana is meaningless unless it is linked with the total liberation of the African continent”.

Dr Nkrumah would have been 113 years old if he was still alive.