TRIBUTE TO MRS FATHIA NKRUMAH
By Kosi Dedey

HER LIFE

As we mourn the death of Madam Fathia Nkrumah, we of the CPP cannot pretend to mourn her death more than the children she left behind. Without a doubt Kwame Nkrumah spent more time with the CPP than he spent with his family.

As we mourn the death of Madam Fathia it is important that we acknowledge what she represented to her children, the CPP and Ghana. Kwame Nkrumah married Fathia when she was 26yrs old. 50yrs ago at that age she was fairly new in the way of politics and Ghana her new home.

Between 1958 and 1966 Fathia Nkrumah saw her husband rise to fame beyond imagination, Fathia saw her husband bloodied and damaged through bombs thrown at him at Kulunguku and physical attempts on his life by Ametewei right there in the Flag staff house. Only God knows how she managed it all.

In the 14yrs that she was married to Kwame Nkrumah she saw him for only 8yrs the other six years she could only imagine what he looked like and wish him well.

For the 8yrs that Fathia spent in Ghana she must have had her share of fun and came to be adored by many. It is however no secret that the quite lady Fathia was not spared some vile propaganda.

When Fathia gave birth to Samia Nkrumah the propaganda went out that Fathia had given birth to a monster. Such is the monster that went to visit President Kufuor recently during the anniversary of the 50th anniversary of our independence celebration and is here in Ghana with us to bury her mother.

During the coup of 24th February 1966 Fathia and her children were made to leave Ghana without honour. She left this country without a single belonging (jewelry, and all the numerous gifts she received from far and near as the first lady of Ghana). Somebody please ask the thieves and looters who entered the Flag staff on that faithful day where all the jewelry is? After the coup of 1966 Fathia was not to see her husband alive again. When she saw him after six years, he was dead. 35 years after the death of her husband she has said good bye to all.

Through all these years I can only believe that for the Children, Fathia was a pillar of strength. She was their mother and father. She was their hope.

It has become necessary to recount these tragic moments in Fathia’s life in order for us to appreciate her resilience how she triumphed in all of it.

Through all the pain I am yet to hear Fathia complain about the treatment she received from Ghanaians as a whole. In all these years I have not heard her hold a press conference to condemn those who made her life miserable for 41years.

The late General Kutu Acheampong’s attempt to restore her by bringing her back and providing for her and her children was unsuccessful and the house given to her and her family was repossessed by the NDC government and only recently returned to the family by the NPP government.

One of her wishes, I understand, is to be buried next to her husband. That for me is the mark of humility and loyalty. It also shows that the lady had a forgiving heart. It is for me a sign that she is willing to forgive Ghanaians not withstanding how ungrateful we have been as a nation.


THE CPP

Today marks the 58th anniversary of the Convention People’s Party.
Today Fathia will be laid to rest beside her husband.
Today her long journey would have come to an end.

Today she will say to Kwame Nkrumah, at long last the battle has ended. Today the union of Ghana and Eqypt will sealed forever.

Today Fathia will tell Nkrumah, the CPP you left behind has betrayed you. They have not kept faith. They have no commitment to what you stood for. They have sold themselves for what it is worth.

One can only guess all the narrations Fathia will give to Kwame as from today. Most importantly however, the CPP must be ashamed of itself today. But there may just be hope. Today could symbolically mark the end of the CPP or a new beginning. The choice is ours to make. But for Fathia, she has run her race and has won. She is going where she wishes and where she belongs.

The CPP owes the Egyptian government for the life of Madam Fathia and her children. We must never forget this as long as we live. The CPP, Ghana and Eqypt will forever be united today at the old polo ground where it all started.

Fathia’s burial today beside her husband is not only a physical act but a spiritual one. It is a sign of the indivisibility of Fathia and Nkrumah even in death. It may also be a sign that the CPP is indivisible. Indeed it is a message to all within and without the CPP to come home because there is no place like home. The CPP is the home for all Nkrumaists. The CPP does not belong only to those of us making the loudest noise but to all Nkrumaists no matter where they are now. They belong here as much as anyone of us. My understanding is that Fathia is asking all Nkrumaists to come home to the CPP unconditionally.

Fathia’s burial today also emphasizes the need for African unity more than ever before. Indeed although Fathia herself was not politically active during her life time. Her silence even in death is so loud it cannot be ignored. While her husband spoke, she through her silence has said it once more: Africa must unite.

May Fathia’s life of humility, fortitude, enduring loyalty and quest for unity with her husband even in death be an enduring lesson to all members of the CPP and Ghanaians.

HONOURING FATHIA

How can we honour Fathia and those who have died in the service of the CPP, Ghana and Africa?

How can we ensure that their toil and pain has not been in vain?

We must build on what they have left us.
We must rebuild the CPP.
We must save Ghana from the path of destruction.
We must save Africa from ultimate destruction.

Fathia lived to be 75yrs. I think she was a strong woman. She has suffered long and silently for many years. How she maintained her composure, only her children and those closest to her can tell. At 75 we should celebrate her life.

So when we mourn Fathia it is not because she died young. We mourn Fathia because she has suffered unjustly at the hands of the CPP and Ghanaians. We mourn her neglect over the years. We mourn our own shame.

We mourn the loss of opportunity to make amends to her in life. Her death is a sad reminder that we have failed as a party and a people. Let us all say a prayer for her soul. May Francis, Gamel, Samia and Sekou find the strength to go on.

May your mother find perfect peace now. She has indeed run the race and she is a winner.

By Kosi Dedey, USA, June 12, 2007