The Convention People’s Party (CPP) on Friday marked the 40th Anniversary celebration of the death of Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana's First President.

The ceremony took the form of a requiem mass and wreath laying at the Nkrumah Memorial Mausoleum Park in Accra.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Bright Oblitei Akwetey, aspiring presidential candidate of CPP described Dr Nkrumah as an incorruptible, hardworking, visionary and outstanding thinker who was totally committed to serving Ghana and the African continent.

He said Dr Nkrumah's achievements were not only remarkable but globally recognised and admired, which led to many people across the world voting him as the greatest African in the 20th Century.

Mr Akwetey said, Dr Nkrumah inspired the mobilisation of African peoples and their leaders in the political struggle against apartheid and the total liberation of the continent from the chains of colonial rule and exploitation.

He said the mounting of a magnificent statue in front of the new African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa to honour of Dr Nkrumah depicted his brand of selfless and exemplary servant-leadership for Africans and the Pan-African world.

“It is understanding that many of us will naturally yearn for the return of Dr Nkrumah to our earthly life, in order to lead us courageously and inspiring for the second time in our current struggle against neo-colonialism and exploitative and impoverishing globalisation,” he said.

“But the Great Osagyefo, as we are aware, will not come back soon enough to provide his rare charismatic, people-inspiring and sterling brand of leadership,” he said.

Mr Akwetey advised Africans to reflect upon the vision of Dr Nkrumah to effectively tackle the challenges of transforming the African continent into a developed and prosperous world in which there should be greater freedom and justice, accelerated creation and equitable distribution of wealth for all.

Dr Abu Sakara Foster, another CPP presidential aspirant said, Dr Nkrumah gave his life for the liberation and reconstruction of the continent with the impact being felt across the globe.

He said after Dr Nkrumah’s death, he still continued to stand astride the globe as a giant for his clarity of purpose, direction and action to emancipate Africa politically, economically and socially.

“Sadly, his singular ambition to unite Africa and make Ghana a shining example of African achievement was cut short. This interruption of his mission is poignantly epitomised by this edifice that stands over where he lies,” he said.

“Is that the sum total of our hopes and aspiration? Today we gather here to say emphatically no! The struggle continues!” Dr Sakara said.

He encouraged Ghanaians to renew their commitment to strive harder, work longer and more earnestly to achieve the happiness and welfare of their families.**