Ghana has begun negotiations with the family of Guinea’s first president, Ahmed Sékou Touré, to acquire the residence where Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah lived and worked during his final years in exile.
The move, initiated on the directive of President John Dramani Mahama, is aimed at renovating and preserving the property as part of broader efforts to protect Nkrumah’s legacy and promote historical tourism linking Ghana and Guinea.
The decision was formally communicated to the Sékou Touré family on Saturday during a visit by a Ghanaian delegation led by Vice President Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang.
The visit followed the investiture of Guinea’s President, Mamady Doumbouya. During the trip, the delegation toured the now-abandoned residence and held discussions with members of the Sékou Touré family, represented by three generations and led by the former president’s eldest son.
Speaking on the initiative, Minister for Foreign Affairs Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa said the move underscores Ghana’s commitment to preserving Africa’s shared historical heritage.
“This is about protecting an important part of Africa’s shared history,” he said, adding that the process would be conducted transparently. “The public will be kept informed at every stage.”
According to the Foreign Affairs Ministry, negotiations are currently ongoing to determine the terms of acquisition. Preservation experts are also being engaged to assess the condition of the property and develop plans for its restoration.
Dr. Nkrumah, Ghana’s first president, lived in Guinea after his overthrow in 1966 and later served as co-president alongside Sékou Touré, cementing a historic political alliance between the two West African leaders.
The proposed acquisition is expected to strengthen cultural ties between Ghana and Guinea while creating a new site of historical and educational significance.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
