President Mahama urges Ghanaians to embrace Nkrumah’s legacy and advance nation-building
President John Dramani Mahama has called on Ghanaians to draw profound inspiration from the vision, ideals, and enduring legacy of Ghana’s first President, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, as the nation observes Founder’s Day.
In an official message shared on social media on Monday, September 21, President Mahama emphasized that the historic occasion serves as a vital opportunity for Ghanaians both at home and across the diaspora to reflect deeply on Dr. Nkrumah’s monumental contributions to the nation’s fierce struggle for independence and his expansive, visionary framework for the African continent.
Highlighting Dr. Nkrumah’s steadfast commitment to liberty, Pan-African unity, and national self-reliance, the President noted that these foundational pillars successfully established Ghana as an enduring symbol of hope and possibility on the global stage. Furthermore, he asserted that Dr. Nkrumah’s firm belief in the intrinsic capacity of Africans to independently determine and manage their own affairs remains deeply relevant to contemporary Ghanaian national identity and future aspirations.
“Today is our Founder’s Day, another opportunity for us to pause as a people and honour the immortal legacy of our nation’s founder, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah,” President Mahama stated in his message.
“He was a visionary whose relentless pursuit of liberty, Pan-African unity, and self-reliance placed Ghana as a beacon of hope on the global stage. His bold declaration that ‘the black man is capable of managing his own affairs’ remains the bedrock of our national pride.”
While celebrating the historic milestones achieved under Dr. Nkrumah’s leadership, President Mahama stressed that the commemoration must extend far beyond traditional remembrance. He pointed out that the day should serve as a stark reminder of the continuous, shared responsibilities that remain in Ghana’s ongoing nation-building journey.
Although Ghana successfully attained political independence under the stewardship of Dr. Nkrumah, the broader, more complex task of constructing a fully prosperous, equitable, and resilient society remains ongoing and unfinished.
“As we celebrate his unparalleled legacy today, I remind every Ghanaian at home and in the diaspora that the work of nation-building is not complete,” the President remarked.
Advancing the Resetting Ghana Agenda
Urging citizens to actively channel Dr. Nkrumah’s pioneering spirit into modern development efforts, President Mahama linked the historic fight for political independence directly to the modern national imperative of achieving true economic freedom, social justice, and broad-based development.
He called upon the citizenry to transcend political and social divisions, champion selfless patriotism, and dedicate themselves fully to national transformation objectives.
“Let us draw strength from Osagyefo’s vision and contribute in our own way to attaining the Resetting Ghana Agenda,” President Mahama urged. “I charge us all to rise above division, embrace selfless patriotism, and work tirelessly toward economic freedom and social justice.”
Concluding his Founder’s Day message, the President reiterated that just as Dr. Nkrumah fought courageously for political liberation, contemporary generations carry a solemn, collective duty to build a prosperous, equitable, and resilient Ghana for all its citizens.
