?As far as I am concerned, I am in the knowledge that death can never extinguish the torch which I have lit in Ghana and Africa, long after I am dead and gone the light will continue to burn and be borne aloft giving guidance to all people? ? Kwame Nkrumah

Those were the words of a leader whose death we commemorate today. And as we commemorate this day; the 34th anniversary of the death of Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, the Nkrumaistforum urges all Nkrumaists to reflect deeply on these words not only for nostalgia but in order to have better understanding of the relevance of the kind of society Nkrumah sort to build in Ghana and Africa, for Ghana and Africa, and for all oppressed people the world over.

In commemorating this day, we remember that Nkrumah was greatly inspired by Marcus Garvey and guided by Padmore and Dubois. Like many freedom fighters before him and after him, Nkrumah wanted freedom for the people of Africa and all oppressed peoples. Ghana?s independence was therefore a manifestation of Marcus Garvey?s dream.

Nkrumah himself therefore became an inspiration to many African freedom fighters. And he became so because, characteristically, he was a leader without self-doubt. He demonstrated that quality from the dawn of independence when he declared ? defiantly, emphatically and unapologetically, that the independence of Ghana was meaningless unless linked with the total liberation of Africa.

Time has proved Nkrumah was right in his realization that true political and economic freedom for Africa could only be assured if Africa was united. To this end he dedicated the rest of his life which all of oppressed Africa, especially blacks the world over remember and celebrate.

His passion and dedication to see Africa unite was beyond question. So true was this commitment that when he was overthrown as President of Ghana. Sekou Toure of Guinea offered him Co-President in Guinea. Nkrumah therefore stands as the only former head of state of two countries in the world. To this end the Nkrumaistforum salutes Sekou Toure and the great people of Guinea.

34 years after his death, the name Nkrumah still arouses deep, and varied and emotions. But today, the Nkrumaistforum would rather urge all Nkrumaists to let go the passion and ask ourselves, if we have we seen the light that Nkrumah lit over 34 years ago. We must also ask ourselves what have we done individually and collectively to keep this torch burning?

As evident from the myriad of problems that still confront Africa and oppressed people the world over, whatever we may have done is woefully inadequate. What we as Nkrumaist, Africans and oppressed people the world over must do; is to rededicate ourselves more purposefully to African Unity. We must individually and collectively move the African unity project from conference rooms, paper pushing seminars and fanfares for our leaders, to grass-root education and organization to compel our individual leaders to unite us politically and economically.

It is our historic mission as Nkrumaist. We fail in this mission, and we fail our people. Marcus Garvey said; any race that fails to do what it must do to survive will perish. Like Nkrumah, Marcus Garvey is gone. It remains our duty to keep the torch burning. It remains our duty to stay alive. It remains our duty to ensure that before the end of the first half of this century, Africa is united politically and economically.

On this momentous day, the Nkrumaistforum urges all Nkrumaist to begin the grass-roots education and organization towards this end. Africa must unite, Africans must be free. It is only when this noble objective has been achieved that Nkrumaists can walk with their heads held high.