We thank God for giving us Kwame Nkrumah- Mills

Accra, Sept 21, GNA- Ghanaians, continental Africans and Africans in the Diaspora on Monday celebrated Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana's first President with pomp and pageantry, eulogising him once more as the greatest African of the past Millennium.

President John Evans Atta Mills, who initiated the centenary celebration of the man who lit the torch of the African liberation struggle, led the entire nation of Ghana to thank God for giving Kwame Nkrumah to Ghana and Africa as whole.

"We thank God for giving us Kwame Nkrumah," President Mills said to a cheering crowd of celebrants that included his vice, John Mahama, Chief Justice Georgina Wood, Mrs. Justice Bamford Addo, the Speaker of Parliament, top Government officials, Ministers of State, Members of Parliament, the Diplomatic Corps, Traditional Rulers, and a cross section of Ghanaians.

Immediately after the extempore speech of the President Mills, at the old Polo Ground, where Dr Nkrumah delivered his famous independence speech, now Kwame Nkrumah's Mausoleum, the grounds reverberated with a recording of that speech which linked Ghana's independence to the total liberation of the African continent.

President Mills once again eulogised Kwame Nkrumah as an illustrious son of Ghana and Africa, declaring that it was a delight to be witnessing and participating in the centenary celebrations of the man who even in death continued to teach lessons to his fellowmen. He recalled the promise he made earlier this year to Parliament to mark Dr Nkrumah's birthday as Founder's Day, which the leader of the member states of the African Union had also adopted as Founder's Day and a special event on its calendar.

President Mills rejected attempts to downplay Dr Nkrumah's achievements, which he said had often been based on parochial and narrow interests.

President Mills reminded political leaders that posterity would be best judges of what they did and underscored unity, hard work perseverance and hallmarks of nation building. "We should be guided by these values which help us build a Better Ghana," President Mills said.

President Mills expressed gratitude to the Planning Committee and the solidarity of Ghanaians.

The President also signed the Unity Flag, which had travelled nationwide, in the Black Star, which signified national and Continental Unity.

As early as 0900 hours, people took up their positions on the park, although the celebration was not billed to start until 1300 hours. Clad in their splendid costumes, scores of drumming and dancing groups filled the void by trying to undo each other with their brand of music and dance forms to the delight of the crowd and not even the heat of the afternoon sun could daunt their enthusiasm. The 'fontomfrom' drummers with their big drums and sticks were the toast of the crowd as they hit the drums with gusto and feverish passion.

Indeed, not many noticed the time lag. When President John Evan Mills convoy arrived and the Mass Youth Choir (the 100 Voices) drawn from four choral groups, including the Winneba Youth Choir and the Ghana Symphony Orchestra, did a good rendition of the National anthem, the crowd could no longer hide their excitement.

The solidarity messages from the Diaspora, the Ghanaian workers, women and Children, artistes and students paid glowing tribute to the vision and foresight of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah.

There was a unified call from all the speakers that 100th birthday celebration should mark a new beginning in the life of Ghana and the African continent as a whole. They said unity, hard work and perseverance, three key values that Dr. Kwame Nkrumah stood for should be the guiding principles in the country's socio-economic development. 21 Sept. 09