The African American Association of Ghana (AAAG) has commemorated the 116^th birthday of Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah with a youth essay competition as part of this year’s NkrumahFest celebrations.

The event, held in Nkroful, the hometown of Ghana’s first President, attracted hundreds of entries from senior high school students across the Western Region.

Participants wrote on the theme: “Pan-Africanism in Today’s World: How Can the Youth Apply Nkrumah’s Principles to Shape Africa’s Future?”

Christiana Nawah Ackah of Half Assini Senior High School emerged as the overall winner.

Herbert Mieza Ekpah of Nkroful Agricultural Senior High School and Kaiser Princess Maame Yaba of Bonzo Kaku Senior High School placed second and third, respectively.

Smith Ato Kwamen, Proposer of Esiama Senior High Technical School and Lukeman Suleman Yakub of Uthman Bin Affan Islamic Senior High School placed fourth and fifth.

The awards, which included cash prizes, were presented by AAAG members Morris Biggers and Tamica Simon Atugbe. They commended the students for their insight and for demonstrating the relevance of Nkrumah’s ideals in today’s world.

Ms Shannan Akosua Magee, President of the AAAG, emphasised the importance of Pan-Africanism for young people.

“Pan-Africanism is more than an idea. It is a bridge that links Africans on the continent with those in the Diaspora.

"For our youth to understand and apply Nkrumah’s principles means they are taking ownership of Africa’s future while strengthening bonds with Africans around the world,” she added.

Through the festival and essay contest, AAAG reaffirmed its mission to strengthen ties between Ghana and the Diaspora while empowering young people to carry forward Nkrumah’s vision of unity and progress.