Dr. Francis Nkrumah, the eldest son of Ghana’s first president, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, has passed away at the age of 89.
The news of his death was announced by Indian author and editor Vijay Prashad on social media, marking the end of a life dedicated to medicine and a profound connection to Ghanaian history.
Born in 1935, Dr. Francis Nkrumah devoted his career to pediatric medicine, earning deep admiration from his patients for his compassionate care. He chose to remain in Ghana even after the political upheavals that saw his father ousted in a coup, continuing his work as a doctor and scientist.
Vijay Prashad, editor of Inkani Books, which recently published a new edition of “The Revolutionary Thoughts of Kwame Nkrumah,” shared insights into Dr. Francis Nkrumah’s perspective on his father’s legacy.
In a foreword penned for the edition, Dr. Francis Nkrumah eloquently reflected on Kwame Nkrumah’s enduring impact on Ghana and Africa, emphasizing the ongoing relevance of his visionary ideas.
🧵Dr. Francis Nkrumah (1935-2024) has just died. He was the oldest son of Kwame Nkrumah. He spent his life as a paediatrician, highly loved by his patients. Dr. Nkrumah remained in Ghana after the coup against his father, and continued to work as a doctor and scientist. pic.twitter.com/fKM0h6mM52
— Vijay Prashad (@vijayprashad) June 30, 2024
“I feel presently that Africa continues to miss [Kwame Nkrumah] unless we go back and revisit what Nkrumah actually meant for Ghana and for Africa,” wrote Dr. Francis Nkrumah, underscoring the significance of his father’s contributions to the continent’s history and development.
Dr. Francis Nkrumah was the eldest among his siblings, including Gamal Nkrumah, Samia Nkrumah, and Sekou Nkrumah.
Details regarding funeral arrangements and tributes to Dr. Francis Nkrumah are expected to follow, as both Ghana and the wider global community reflect on his life’s contributions and the enduring legacy of the Nkrumah family in African history.