Accra: The 2026 edition of NkrumahFest was launched at the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park in Accra with a call to revive the Pan-African ideals of Ghana's first President, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah. The week-long celebration, titled 'Journey to Nkroful', will occur from September 14 to September 21, 2026, in Nkroful, the birthplace of Dr Nkrumah in the Ellembelle District of the Western Region.
According to Ghana Web, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, Member of Parliament for Ellembelle and Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, who is the brainchild of NkrumahFest, made the announcement at the launch. The 2026 edition, themed 'Nkrumah @ 117: Celebrating His Enduring Legacy - Africa Must Unite or Perish', also marks 60 years since Dr Nkrumah's overthrow in 1966. Armah-Kofi Buah emphasized that the gathering aimed to rekindle the revolution that Dr Nkrumah started, asserting that the dream planted in Nkroful is the blueprint for the future.
Activities planned for the celebration include lectures, cultural displays, community engagements, and moments of reflection, intended to ensure that Ghanaians remember and embody Nkrumah's spirit. Armah-Kofi Buah stressed that 'Africa Must Unite or Perish' is a summons, not a suggestion, highlighting the importance of unity in facing challenges like climate change and economic instability.
Kwesi Pratt Jnr, Managing Editor of the Insight Newspaper and an Nkrumalist, commended Armah-Kofi Buah for instituting NkrumahFest and urged the government to prioritize the development of the Western Region. Nana Kwasi Kutuah V, Divisional Chief of Nkroful, also praised Armah-Kofi Buah's initiative and invited Ghanaians to join in honoring Dr Nkrumah in September.
Joseph Agyekum, DCE for Ellembelle, revealed plans to establish a district hospital at Nkroful in Dr Nkrumah's honor. Organizers noted that the festival is expected to boost tourism and local businesses, as evidenced by last year's event, which saw increased patronage for hotels and local services.
Armah-Kofi Buah announced plans to link NkrumahFest 2026 to EcoFest 2026 to promote heritage tourism. He declared the 2026 edition of NkrumahFest duly launched, emphasizing the ongoing work of building Nkrumah's vision for Africa.