Rare photo of Dr Kwame Nkrumah resurfaces as Ghana marks his 116th birthday

A rarely seen photograph of Ghana’s first President, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, walking alongside Yugoslav President Josip Broz Tito, has resurfaced as the country commemorates what would have been his 116th birthday on Sunday, September 21, 2025.

Born in 1909, Dr Nkrumah remains a towering figure in Ghanaian and African history.

The historic photograph was taken on February 28, 1961, in Accra during a diplomatic visit by the Yugoslav leader.

The moment captured not just a meeting of two heads of state, but a powerful symbol of the strong diplomatic ties and shared vision between Ghana and Yugoslavia during the Cold War, particularly within the Non-Aligned Movement, which both leaders championed.

Kwame Nkrumah@116: The legacies of Ghana's 1st President

Nkrumah, affectionately known as "Osagyefo" (The Redeemer), led Ghana to become the first sub-Saharan African country to gain independence from British colonial rule in 1957.

His birthday is now commemorated as Founder’s Day, a public holiday established following the amendment of the Public Holidays and Commemorative Days Act (Act 601) by the administration of former President John Dramani Mahama.

The day honours Nkrumah's leadership and pivotal role in Ghana’s independence struggle.

Dr Nkrumah's legacy remains unmatched. He is widely regarded as a visionary leader whose influence continues to shape Ghana’s national identity and development.

Many of the infrastructure projects he initiated, some now over 60 years old, are still in use today, standing as testaments to his foresight.

As the country reflects on his life and contributions, this rare image serves as a poignant reminder of Nkrumah’s global stature and enduring impact.

See the image below:



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