- Abeiku Santana claims all Ghanaian presidents have performed a ritual bath in the river behind Kwame Nkrumah’s childhood home.
- Story shared: Nkrumah’s mother once stood on a fish in the river, as observed by young Nkrumah.
- The Nzema people believe the river water has miraculous properties linked to Nkrumah’s extraordinary life.
- Santana questioned how Nkrumah, at age 26, traveled to the U.S. and influenced African Americans, including meeting JFK.
- NkrumahFest will explore these mysteries and celebrate Nkrumah’s enduring legacy.
Abeiku Santana, Deputy CEO of the Ghana Tourism Authority, has shared a fascinating claim about the late Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana’s first president. During an interview on Okay FM with Nana Romeo on September 16, 2025, Santana revealed that every individual who has become president of Ghana has reportedly performed a ritual bath in a river located behind Nkrumah’s childhood home.
Santana recounted a story from Nkrumah’s youth, explaining how his mother had gone to fetch water from the river. Nkrumah allegedly noticed she was standing on a fish, which was later confirmed to be true. According to the Deputy CEO, the people of Nzema continue to believe that Nkrumah “was not an ordinary person” and that the river possesses miraculous qualities.
Promoting the upcoming NkrumahFest, Santana posed thought-provoking questions about Nkrumah’s extraordinary life. He noted that by 1935, at just 26 years old, Nkrumah managed to travel to the United States despite limited communication channels in the Gold Coast. He also highlighted Nkrumah’s ability to influence African Americans and even meet U.S. President John F. Kennedy.
The NkrumahFest celebration aims to provide Ghanaians with deeper insight into the mystique surrounding Nkrumah’s early life and lasting legacy.
