Rare historic videos showing Kwame Nkrumah's face while lying in state pop up
- Rare videos have emerged of Ghana's first president, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah lying in state during his funeral ceremonies
- Three separate funerals were held for Osagyefo in Guinea, Accra and Nkroful
- Kwame Nkrumah died in Bucharest, Romania on April 27, 1972
Our manifesto: This is what YEN.com.gh believes in
Install our latest app for Android and read the best news about Ghana
Rare videos have emerged of Ghana’s Kwame Nkrumah lying in state on Saturday, May 13, 1972, during his funeral ceremony in Conakry, Guinea.
In one of the video clips, his wife, Fathia Nkrumah, was captured attired in black and in a solemn mood.
Ghana’s first president, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah died in Bucharest, Romania on April 27, 1972, after six years of exile in Guinea after he was ousted through a military coup launched by the National Liberation council (NLC).
Kwame Nkrumah led the country to attain independence from British colonial rule.
YEN.com.gh earlier highlighted that the great Pan-Africanist died far away from his birthplace of Nkroful at the age of 62.
He played pivotal role in the formation of the African Union (A.U) previously called the Organization of African Unity (O.A.U) and led Ghana to independence in 1957.
READ ALSO: COVID-19: Nana Akua Addo flaunts beautiful daughter learning online amid pandemic (video)
President Kwame Nkrumah was unconstitutionally ousted from office through a military coup with the code name ''Operation Cold Chop'' launched by the National Liberation Council (NLC) on February 24, 1966.
He was in Peking, now Beijing, en route to the Vietnamese capital, Hanoi, to contribute to efforts to end the American war in Vietnam.
After he was ousted, Kwame Nkrumah arrived in Conakry, Guinea upon the invitation of Sekou Toure.
On April 27, 1972, Kwame Nkrumah died of cancer while in Bucharest, Romania.
His death was announced by President Seim Toure of Guinea, one of the militant nationalists who was a close friend of Nkrumah.
Several African Heads of State and the representatives of 25 other countries paid their last tributes to Ghana’s former president, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, on Saturday, May 13, 1972 after a funeral ceremony was held in Conakry, the Guinean capital.
Three separate funerals were held for Osagyefo in Guinea on May 1, 1972, Accra and Nkroful in July 1972.
1. Kwame Nkrumah lying in State in Conakry, Guinea.
2. Funeral held in Accra.
The videos has generated some reaction after it surfaced online.
@creepy_crisp wrote: ''His legacies live on and continue to stand as a pillars of Ghana's development. Without Akosombo, I wonder what we'd have relied on? Tema Port, VALCO, GIHOC, Ghana National,etc. He lives on!!!Flag of Ghana.''
''Kwame Nkrumah was a visionary and had a vision for Ghana. Since his overthrow, Ghana has been sold cheap, looted and r..ped by greedy politicians of all colours and creed,''@EsiMizen said.
@hajjsuale said in reaction: ''His legacies are unmatched despite his death many decades ago. A true hero!.''
In a related story, on March 2, 1966, Kwame Nkrumah arrived in Conakry, Guinea after being invited by Sekou Toure just after the military coup that illegally deposed his government.
Nkrumah was in Peking, present-day Beijing en route to Hanoi, with an agenda to end the American war in Vietnam when news of the coup first reached him.
Four African presidents including Gamal Abdel Nasser of Egypt, Modibo Keita of Mali, Sekou Toure, Guinea and from Tanzania, Julius Nyerere sent Nkrumah immediate invitations and messages of support.
READ ALSO: Cheddar causes stir; urges China to apologise to Africa over COVID-19 racial treatment (video)
Low-cost ventilators produced in Ghana by Prof. Fred McBagonluri | #Yencomgh
Have national and human interest issues to discuss?
Know someone who is extremely talented and needs recognition?
Your stories and photos are always welcome. Get interactive via our Facebook page.
Source: YEN.com.gh
