A senior member of Ghana’s ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) has sharply criticized the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), accusing it of actively working to diminish the historical legacy of Ghana’s first President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah.
Delali Sewoekpor, a member of the NDC’s national communications team, said during a televised interview on Channel One’s Breakfast Daily on Monday that the NPP has consistently sought to “obliterate” Nkrumah’s central role in the country’s independence and development.
“Each time the NPP assumes power, we see a deliberate attempt to undermine the achievements and stature of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah,” Sewoekpor said. “But the reality remains that no political tradition can erase his name as the Founder of the Republic of Ghana.”
The comments came a day after Ghanaians marked Founder’s Day on September 21 — a public holiday commemorating Nkrumah’s birthday. The date remains a source of political contention, with the NPP advocating for a broader recognition of other independence-era leaders under the label Founders’ Day, in contrast to the NDC’s view that Nkrumah stands alone.
Mr. Sewoekpor dismissed such attempts as revisionist. “This argument that others should be equally recognized is neither here nor there,” he said. “Kwame Nkrumah stands tall — not only in Ghana but across Africa. He was named the African Man of the Millennium for a reason.”
Legacy of Infrastructure and Controversy
Nkrumah, who led Ghana to independence from British colonial rule in 1957 and served as Prime Minister and later President, remains a towering figure in African post-colonial history. His government pursued ambitious state-led industrialization programs and Pan-Africanist policies, although his tenure was marred by allegations of authoritarianism and a controversial Preventive Detention Act that allowed for indefinite imprisonment without trial.
Sewoekpor acknowledged that Nkrumah’s leadership style has come under scrutiny — particularly by NPP historians who characterize him as anti-democratic. But he defended those actions as necessary responses to a hostile political climate marked by repeated assassination attempts.
“When you read the history, it’s clear there were several orchestrated efforts to eliminate Dr. Nkrumah,” Sewoekpor argued. “Any leader under such threat would take extraordinary measures to secure the state.”
He cited the construction of the Tema Motorway and other long-standing infrastructure projects as tangible proof of Nkrumah’s developmental vision. “These projects have outlived him. They’re physical evidence of his unmatched contribution to Ghana,” he said.
Debate Over Danquah’s Role
The NPP has long championed Dr. J.B. Danquah — a prominent figure in the Danquah-Busia-Dombo political tradition that underpins the current ruling party — as an intellectual architect of Ghana’s independence movement. Danquah was instrumental in inviting Nkrumah back to the Gold Coast from the United States to join the United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC), but later broke with Nkrumah over ideological differences.
Mr. Sewoekpor pushed back strongly against suggestions that Danquah deserves equal billing, citing a letter purportedly written by Danquah that, in his view, sought to delay the push for full independence.
“Of course, the NPP can celebrate their heroes,” he said. “But let’s not rewrite history. The evidence shows that some actions taken by Dr. Danquah were counterproductive to our independence efforts.”
A Battle Over National Identity
The ongoing Founder’s Day vs. Founders’ Day debate has become emblematic of Ghana’s polarized political discourse. In 2019, the NPP government under President Nana Akufo-Addo formally rebranded September 21 as Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Day and established Founders’ Day on August 4, honoring multiple figures associated with the UGCC and broader independence movement.
That move has drawn criticism from NDC supporters and Pan-Africanist groups, who argue it dilutes Nkrumah’s unique status.
“The legacy of Kwame Nkrumah is not up for negotiation,” Sewoekpor said. “Any attempt to diminish it will ultimately fail. History has already rendered its verdict.”
