Gov’t opens talks to preserve Nkrumah’s final residence in Guinea

The Government of Ghana has opened negotiations with the family of Guinea’s first President, Ahmed Sékou Touré, to take over the residence where Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah lived and worked during his final years in exile.

The move, undertaken on the directive of President John Dramani Mahama, is aimed at preserving the legacy of Ghana’s first President and converting the property into a heritage site to promote historical preservation and tourism.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, disclosed the development in a Facebook post on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, indicating that the Mahama administration intends to renovate and preserve the residence as a mark of respect to Dr. Nkrumah and to offer a comprehensive historical experience tracing his life and leadership journey from Ghana to Guinea.

According to Mr. Ablakwa, the decision was formally communicated to the Sékou Touré family on Saturday during a visit by a Ghanaian delegation led by Vice President Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, who toured the abandoned residence in Guinea.

The visit took place on the sidelines of the investiture of Guinea’s President, Mamady Doumbouya.

“The Mahama Administration intends to renovate and preserve Nkrumah’s Guinea residence not only as an act of respect but also to preserve the Osagyefo’s legacy and create a full experience for tourists to follow Nkrumah’s outstanding life from Ghana to Guinea,” part of the Foreign Affairs Minister’s post stated.

Mr. Ablakwa further noted that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is currently negotiating the terms and conditions of the proposed takeover while engaging preservation experts to guide the renovation and conservation process.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is negotiating the terms and conditions and engaging preservation experts for this important assignment. In the spirit of transparency and accountability, the Ghanaian public shall be fully apprised at every stage.”

He assured that the government remains committed to keeping the public fully informed throughout the process.

Dr. Kwame Nkrumah lived in Guinea after his overthrow in 1966. He was appointed Co-President by President Ahmed Sékou Touré, a period widely regarded as a significant chapter in Pan-African history.