CPP Elders visit Nkrumah family to console them over death of Gamel Nkrumah

A delegation from the Convention People's Party (CPP), led by Comrade Chris Ziga, has visited the family of Ghana's first President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, to express condolences following the death of his second son, Gamel Nkrumah.

The delegation comprised members of the party's Council of Elders and National Working Committee.

Receiving the delegation, Madam Samia Nkrumah and Sekou Nkrumah expressed sadness over the loss of their brother, who spent much of his life in Egypt.

The family recounted how Gamel's life was shaped by the 1966 coup that toppled their father's government and forced them into exile.

They said that although the family was formally invited back to Ghana by the Acheampong government in 1975, Gamel's return was short-lived.

Sekou Nkrumah explained that the experience of exile and the circumstances surrounding the family's return affected Gamel deeply.

Sekou said the 1966 coup had affected all the Nkrumah children but had a particularly profound impact on Gamel.

"To understand Gamel very well, I think Samuel was right that the coup affected him. It affected all of us, but I think him in more ways," he said.

He recalled that after the family returned to Ghana in 1975, they settled in a house built in 1976.

Gamel was enrolled in boarding school but reportedly became seriously ill after two months, prompting the family to reconsider his education.

"After two months, Gamel got very sick. He had a nervous breakdown," Sekou recounted.

He said the illness affected the brothers' academic progression, with Gamel and Samuel moving to Form Four rather than proceeding to Form Five.

Sekou added that Gamel later continued his education at A-Grid, although he subsequently became ill again.

According to Sekou, Gamel eventually moved abroad and spent several years in Zimbabwe, where he secured employment at the Institute of Development Studies through the assistance of Sally Mugabe.

"He was offered a job through Sally Mugabe. He was offered a job in the Institute of Development Studies in Harare. So he went to live there for a few years," he said.

Gamel later spent much of his life in Egypt, where the Nkrumah family had found refuge following the 1966 coup.

The family disclosed that Gamel had been unwell for some time and expressed appreciation to the governments of Ghana and Egypt for their support during his hospitalisation and burial.

The CPP delegation assured the family of the party's continued support, particularly when arrangements are made for Gamel's final funeral rites in Ghana.

Gamel Nkrumah was the second son of Ghana's first President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah. He died recently after a period of illness.

The family is expected to announce arrangements for his final funeral rites in Ghana in due course.