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Today in history: Kwame Nkrumah who built Ghana's biggest infrastructure died in exile

Tuesday, April 27, 2021 at 10:51 AM by Ebenezer Agbey Quist

- Ghana’s first president, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah died in Bucharest, Romania on April 27, 1972

- This followed six years of exile in Guinea after he was ousted through a military coup launched by the National Liberation Council (NLC)

- He built Ghana's biggest infrastructure projects which included massive housing projects with the establish of TDC

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Exactly 49 years ago today, April 27, 1972, Ghana’s first president, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, died in Bucharest, Romania following six years of exile in Guinea after being deposed through a military coup.

Nkrumah played an instrumental role in Ghana's infrastructure development which included Tema Harbor, Tema Motorway, Akosombo Dam, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, and the Tema Metropolis with massive housing infrastructure.

Nkrumah led a government ordinance in July 1952 to establish the Tema Development Corporation as a public housing enterprise with extensive responsibilities, including the construction of housing units, planning and design of estates, and land assembly.

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Today in history: Kwame Nkrumah who built Ghana's biggest housing projects died in exile Credit: ghanaianmuseum.com
Source: UGC

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The TDC helped develop a complete urban infrastructure, including facilities (e.g. schools, and health, recreational, and community facilities) and a major transportation system that linked the various communities.

On February 24, 1966, 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).

Subsequently, the great Pan-Africanist died far away from his birthplace of Nkroful at the age of 62.

Meanwhile, a video that was shot by the founder of the All People's Congress, Dr Hassan Ayariga, has caused public outrage as it captured a massive housing project left to the mercy of the weather.

In the footage shared on Dr Ayariga's official Facebook handle, the 1502 first phase flats of the 5,000 housing units at Saglemi in the Ningo-Prampram District were seen being damaged on every side with overgrown trees.