The birthplace of Ghana’s first President, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, at Nkroful in the Western Region has received a major facelift, making it a befitting place for both historical and tourism purposes.
Ten years ago, the Member of Parliament of Ellembelle, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, began the initiative to renovate the place and on Dr Nkrumah’s birthday on September 21, this year, the renovated mausoleum was inaugurated, as part of activities to celebrate the legacy of Kwame Nkrumah.
Works
The entrance has been enhanced, turned into a warmer, welcoming point, and as one walks through the pathway, he or she gets to read some of the favourite quotes Dr Nkrumah made and which have been inscribed on the stretch of wall.
The current state of the villa, ‘Nkrumah’s Sanctuary at Half Assini
The kitchen, the courtyard, his hall and bedroom, as well as Maame Nyaniba’s rooms, have all been redone, preserving their original clay interior.
Also, the first library, where many of the books Dr Nkrumah authored were kept before being brought to Accra, has been renovated to serve both the community and guests who will visit the facility.
With the renovation works completed, the mausoleum is now open to receive guests all year round.
Spirit of Nkrumah
In an exclusive interview with the Daily Graphic, Mr Buah, who is also the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, said the decision to undertake such an exercise was to ensure that the spirit of the son of Nzema lives on in the hearts and minds of his people.
The refurbished library at the Osagyefo Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum at Nkroful
“The spirit of Nkrumah, a true son of Nzema, never left us. Renovating the mausoleum has been to preserve that. We may have taken the body of Nkrumah out of Nzema, but his spirit remains,” Mr Buah said.
He said that was reflective in how the people of Nzema and many others have embraced the idea to celebrate the life and legacy of Ghana’s first President with the organisation of the annual pilgrimage to Nkroful, which has been dubbed: Nkrumahfest: The Journey to Nkroful.
Expansion, Nkrumah’s sanctuary
Mr Buah said, given the overwhelming endorsement of the event, discussions have been deepened to expand the works to cover other places where Nkrumah was linked to, to make the Journey to Nkroful more than just a spiritual exercise.
