Samia Yaba Nkrumah, daughter of Ghana’s first President, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, has appealed to the people of Nkroful to forgive her family for its prolonged absence from their ancestral home.
According to her, the family’s decision to remain away for several years was largely influenced by the trauma and fear they experienced during the period of political persecution suffered by her father.
Ms Nkrumah made the disclosure when she joined residents, traditional leaders and dignitaries at the grand durbar of NkrumahFest @117 at the Nkroful Agricultural Senior High School park in the Ellembelle District of the Western Region.
She attended the event with three of Dr Nkrumah’s grandchildren.
Addressing the gathering, she acknowledged the family’s long absence from Nkroful and asked the community to extend forgiveness to them.
She explained that the family had witnessed painful events linked to Dr Nkrumah’s political struggles, including several attempts on his life.
Ms Nkrumah recalled the emotional impact those experiences had on the family, particularly an occasion when she saw her father injured and covered in blood following an attack.
She said the experiences left the family deeply distressed and uncertain about their safety.
The return to Nkroful, she noted, therefore represents more than a visit to a place associated with their family history. It marks a renewed decision by the Nkrumah family to reconnect with the community and play a role in Ghana’s development.
“We have come back, and we want to make a contribution to Ghana’s progress, development and unity,” she said.
She further explained that the family’s renewed connection with Nkroful was also intended to help preserve Dr Nkrumah’s ideals and make them relevant to younger generations.
During the ceremony, Ms Nkrumah formally introduced her children, who are grandchildren of Ghana’s first President, to the chiefs and people of Nkroful. Their introduction was met with cheers from the gathering.
The event formed part of activities marking NkrumahFest, an annual celebration established by the Member of Parliament for Ellembelle and Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, to commemorate the legacy of Dr Nkrumah.
This year’s celebration was held under the theme, “Nkrumah @117: Celebrating His Enduring Legacy – Africa Must Unite or Perish.”
The durbar brought together political leaders, traditional authorities, academics and Pan-Africanist figures, including renowned Pan-Africanist Professor P.L.O. Lumumba, National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress Johnson Asiedu Nketia, former NPP running mate Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, Ashanti Regional Minister Dr Frank Amoakohene and Deputy Transport Minister Dorcas Affo-Toffey.
For the Nkrumah family, the gathering provided an opportunity to reconnect with Nkroful while renewing their commitment to keeping the former president’s vision and legacy alive.
