Dr Sekou Nkrumah, son of Ghana’s first President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, disagreed with President Akufo-Addo's statement that Ghana was not founded by his father.

During an interview on Joy News’ PM Express on Tuesday, Sekou Nkrumah stated, “What the President completely misses is that Nkrumah was one man, but he represented millions of Ghanaians, and that was exactly the grassroots connection he had.”

He explained that the United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC) brought Nkrumah in because they needed his help.

Read also: I keep an open mind when it comes to discussing Kwame Nkrumah – Dr Sekou 

“UGCC was the biggest political movement, but its presence across the country was not big enough. They were just active in six constituencies or so across the country. Nkrumah came, did the legwork, went across the country, mobilised people, energised the whole struggle for independence, and kind of took over leadership after breaking away and forming the Convention People’s Party (CPP). He created a mass movement."

Dr Sekou Nkrumah stated that when Nkrumah broke away, the majority followed him, and he convincingly won the 1951 and 1956 elections.

“The point that the President is missing is that Nkrumah is not one man but represents millions,” he added.

His comments came after President Akufo-Addo, in his 2024 Founders’ Day address on Saturday, August 3, rejected the notion that Ghana was founded by a single individual.

The President stated the collective efforts of various individuals in the independence struggle, acknowledging that while Nkrumah's contribution is undeniable, he was not the sole architect of Ghana's independence.

Read also: ‘I reject completely the notion that Ghana was founded by Kwame Nkrumah alone’ – Akufo-Addo

“I speak to you this evening, rejecting completely the notion that Ghana was founded by one man. While Kwame Nkrumah’s contributions to our independence are undeniable, it is important to acknowledge that the struggle for our nation’s freedom was a collective effort spanning several generations,” President Akufo-Addo said.

Dr Sekou Nkrumah criticised this view, stating that President Akufo-Addo is “caught up in the emotions of the past.”

He reflected on a rough period in Ghana’s history marked by significant political violence and numerous attempts on his father’s life.

He explained that as Dr Kwame Nkrumah sought to curb the violence, members of the opposition became victims.

“Three of the Big Six ended up in political detention under Nkrumah - Obetsebi Lamptey, J.B. Danquah, and Ako Adjei, who had actually suggested that Nkrumah become the general secretary.

“Two of them, Obetsebi Lamptey and J.B. Danquah, tragically died in political detention, which is a very sad chapter in Ghana’s history. I am sensitive to the feelings of their families because Nkrumah took responsibility for those actions,” he said.