Nkrumah centenary launch celebrates Africa's cultural cosmology.

Accra. Sept. 11, GNA - Dr Kwame Nkrumah's greatness as an international political giant and philosopher has never been in doubt. But his link to Africa's cultural renaissance has been somewhat fuzzy, as his politics has subsumed other things he stood for. However, at the launch of his centenary birthday at the hallowed grounds at the Old Polo Park on Friday, Nkrumah's place in African cultural aesthetes was honoured and patrons at the event savoured it with much relish.

Though the event was to mark his birthday, it was also a feast of his attachment to the African verbal art or orature. The attendant drama and music charmed a mix of Nkrumah loyalists, politicians across the aisle, academics, journalists, diplomats and ordinary Ghanaians who trooped the memorial park to witness the launch. Performers from the Ghana Dance Company did not disappoint with their dexterous moves that awed and enthralled the crowd with a selection of chivalric dances that invoke Nkrumah's legacy and the timeliness of his political philosophy.

Music tropes offered by the Winneba Youth Choir, the Tema Youth Choir and the Lyrics Singers of the Good Shepherd Methodist Church choral flavoured the atmosphere with a medley of tunes itemising the main thematic concerns of the late President which included African emancipation and political determination. Applauses rang out and kisses were blown for the performance by a high-studded audience that united bickering political parties along ideological continuum briefly.

Vice President Mahama resplendent in intricately designed white linen attire came in as a statesman but the cultural resonance of his 'adinkra' symbol festooned dress was a cultural message in line with Nkrumah's philosophy of self-determination. The presence of his party, the National Democratic Congress, was equally felt there, as was the New Patriotic Party, which was represented by the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the party's presidential candidate in the 2008 elections, accompanied by Mr Peter Mac-Manu, the National Chairman. Many adherents of the Nkrumah political stock were equally there in their wax cloths that had Dr Nkrumah's pictures boldly printed in them. The diplomatic community did not disappoint either, as many heads of mission turned out at the event. For those outside and within Ghana who still wish a cultural dimension to a political celebration of Nkrumah's life struggle and vision of Africa unbound, the one-year promises more of such programmes.

For instance there will be a musical fiesta in May 2010 featuring Ghanaian, African and Diaspora artistes.