There are few names in Africa, and the world for that matter, that are mentioned in the same breadth as Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah. Hailed as Africa’s Statesman of the 20th Century by the African Union (AU), the ever charismatic Ghanaian leader who delivered rousing speeches set the pace in Ghana’s infrastructure, establishing a plethora of properties. To commemorate his birthday, meQasa lists seven of Kwame Nkrumah’s most notable achievements in Ghana until his untimely death in 1972.

1. Tema Metropolis

The city of Tema was inspired by Kwame Nkrumah and was established to be the industrial hub of Ghana in 1962. To fulfil housing needs, the Tema Development Corporation, a state agency established by Nkrumah, was tasked among others to construct affordable homes for workers and residents alike. Tema, which was upgraded to city status some 40 years later, is famous for its address system, with each suburb assuming the name ‘community’ along with numbers to identify them by.

2. Tema Harbor

Constructed on a site that was once a small fishing village called Torman, the Tema Harbour is the largest man-made harbour in Africa. The harbour, which also serves the needs of other countries such as Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali, handles over six million tonnes of cargo annually. Ghana has immensely benefited from the Tema Harbor and Osagyefo can be greatly credited with this success.

3. Peduase Lodge

The first presidential retreat to be built in Ghana, Peduase Lodge was a glorious sight to behold during the Nkrumah era. It consisted of a four-storey building containing a library, swimming pool, theatre complex, a guard and staff complex. The Lodge was unfortunately left in a deplorable state some years later until renovations were completed on it in the early 2000s. This government mountain resort has been the site of many significant meetings of African and international leaders.

4. Akosombo Dam

Ghana’s first and largest energy-generating plant, the Akosombo Dam has been the nation’s bedrock in terms of sustaining the economy as well as powering homes. The Akosombo Dam, which was strategically built to cover Ghana’s energy demands for at least two decades, has sustained the nation right up to date. Other plants such as the Aboadze Thermal Plant and Bui Dam have been added but pale in comparison to the over 1000 megawatts of energy produced by the Akosombo Dam.

5. Kwame University of Science and Technology

Osagyefo had an immense impact on Ghana’s educational sector. One of his major achievements was the establishment of the University of Science and Technology, as it was then known, in 1952. Osagyefo had a vision of nurturing and transforming talented young Africans into world-class experts in the science and technology world. Although this dream may not have fully been realised, millions of alumni over the years have had their lives transformed by Ghana’s second university.

6. Adomi Bridge

The Adomi Bridge features among Osagyefo’s greats due to its strategic impact on the lives of Ghanaians, especially those from the Eastern Corridor. The bridge, which spans across the world’s largest man-made lake, Lake Volta, serves the purpose of connecting inhabitants to and from the Eastern Corridor and has arguably led to an economic boom in Akosombo and the surrounding areas.

7. Tema Motorway

This definitely has to be included as one of the greatest achievements chalked by Nkrumah infrastructure wise. After establishing the Tema Harbor and township, Osagyefo saw the need to transport goods to and from Tema in record time. Thus, the Tema Motorway was born. After over 50 years, it remains the nation’s only motorway, further entrenching the importance of its construction.