By Ernest Bako WUBONTO
The Namibia High Commission in Ghana held a solemn and heartfelt memorial service to honour the life and legacy of its late Founding President, Dr. Sam Shafiishuna Nujoma who passed on at 95.
The service was held at the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC) and attended by distinguished guests, diplomats and Ghanaian statesmen, who paid tribute to Dr. Nujoma’s unwavering commitment to freedom, justice and the liberation of Namibia
Former President of Ghana, John Agyekum Kufuor, in his tribute described Dr. Nujoma as a fearless freedom fighter whose dedication to the liberation struggle of Namibia inspired generations across the continent.
“Dr. Nujoma was not just a leader for Namibia; he was a beacon of hope for the entire continent. His courage and determination in the face of adversity remain a testament to the power of resilience and unity,” he said.
He mentioned how privileged he was to confer the nation’s highest honour, ‘The Companion of the Order of the Star of Ghana’, on Dr. Sam Nujoma during his tenure as president in 2004.
Minister for Foreign Affairs, Sam Okudzeto Ablakwah, taking his turn said: “Dr. Nujoma’s legacy is one of sacrifice and triumph. He led his people from the shadows of oppression into the light of freedom; and for that he will forever be remembered as a true African hero”.
He emphasised that the late founder’s life as a freedom fighter and leader symbolised self-determination, dignity and unity – adding that he was a leader who believed Africa’s resources were enough to liberate the people from poverty and those resources must be used to benefit the masses and not only the affluent few.
“A fearless liberator and visionary son of the land, he was not only the father of Namibia but a beacon of hope for all who yearned for freedom, peace and justice. Nujoma and Nkrumah’s leadership ideologies intertwine, their leadership was about the liberation of all oppressed African nations,” he iterated.
Mr. Okudzeto maintained that Ghana will continue to train patriotic citizens for the continent, explaining that Ghana under Nkrumah was a bastion of freedom and helped other African countries train their leaders and founding fathers – including Dr. Nujoma to liberate Namibia from apartheid rule.
The Namibian High Commissioner to Ghana, Ashipala-Musavyi, stated that Dr. Sam Nujoma steered Namibia with a steady hand and laid the foundation of peace, unity and economic emancipation
She said Dr. Nujoma dreamt of a self-sufficient Namibia that stood equal among the community of nations and believed in the power of education in economic transformation.
The High Commissioner emphasised that Dr. Sam Nujoma always called Ghana his home, adding that Namibia remains grateful to the Ghanaian public, the diplomatic corp and all nationals present in the country who paid tribute to their founding father.
“Our Founding Father never spoke about Africa without mentioning Ghana and Dr. Kwame Nkrumah. He was the leader of Namibia’s revolution and stood against apartheid colonialism. Through thunderstorms, turbulence and lightning he stood tall,” she said.
“He made Namibia a friend of all nations,” she concluded.
Other key personalities who graced the occasion included former First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings; Dean of the South African Development Community, Kufa Edward Chinoza; the Mozambique Ambassador to Ghana, Fortunato Albrinho; the Cuban Ambassador to Ghana, Tai Hernandez Garces; the Algerian Ambassador to Ghana, Mourad, Louhaidia; Acting Nigerian High Commissioner to Ghana, Moses Ifedayo Adeoye; and Chief of Staff, AfCFTA, Rui Livramento, among others.
His Legacy
Dr. Nujoma passed away on February 9, 2025 in the capital of Namibia, Windhoek, at age 95 following his hospitalisation for about three weeks. He was the Founding President of Namibia.
He led Namibia to independence from South Africa in 1990 and became the southern African country’s first president after his South West Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO) – which he founded on April 19, 1960 – secured a majority in the Constituent Assembly.
He was unanimously elected by the National Assembly as the country’s first president on February 16, 1990 and sworn in on March 21 of the same year. He was re-elected for two more terms in 1994 and 1999.
He was appraised as the Founding Father of Namibia through a legislative Act (Act 16 of 2005) enacted by the Namibian parliament. The late Dr. Nujoma handed over power on March 21, 2005 to former President Hifikepunye Pohamba. He served as the leader of SWAPO for 47 years and stepped aside from that position on November 30, 2007.
