Regional News of Tuesday, 18 August 2009

Source: GNA

All Africans should participate in Nkrumah's centenary celebrations-

Pratt

Accra, Aug. 18, GNA - Mr Kwesi Pratt, a member of the Socialist Forum, on Tuesday called on all Africans to fully participate in the activities lined up for the centenary celebrations of Dr Kwame Nkrumah, in order to give the celebration the prominence it deserves. "The celebration of Nkrumah is not only for the government and the people of Ghana, but for the whole of Africa. It is about his struggle for the liberation of the black race and all that he stood for," he explained.

Speaking during a presentation of GH¢500 by the Forum to the Nkrumah Centenary Celebration Secretariat on Tuesday, he noted that the proper celebration of Nkrumah's centenary would not only exalt his memory but would also boost tourism in the country since the man was loved by all.

"People travel to London to visit where he lived and we of the Socialist Forum believe that if we all get involved in his celebration and plan it well, people from all walks of life will be in the country to help us celebrate it, which will in turn bring in money," he added. He praised Life Magazine in the United States for choosing Nkrumah as one of the 100 most influential persons to have lived adding that it went to show how dedicated and influential he was.

Professor Akilagpa Sawyerr, Chairman of the Committee, thanked the Forum for the donation, adding that it had actually boosted the confidence of the Committee to work harder. He said the celebration of Nkrumah was about his role in the liberation of the black race and the vision that he had for the people and called on Ghanaians to recognize heroes and give them the necessary credit.

He urged the youth to emulate Dr Nkrumah by inculcating in them the "Can do spirit" that enabled him to fight for freedom for the country. Professor Sawyer appealed to corporate organisations to also donate towards the celebrations. 18 Aug. 08