March 8, 1961 - President John F. Kennedy's Remarks of Welcome to President Nkrumah of Ghana

President John F. Kennedy's Remarks of Welcome to President Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana at the Washington National Airport.
''I want to take this opportunity to welcome again to the United States, which he knows so well, the first citizen of Ghana, President Nkrumah.
Yesterday, in his speech at the United Nations, he quoted a common hero, I believe, Thomas Jefferson. Thomas Jefferson also once said, "The disease of liberty is catching."
It has been the object of our guest's life to make sure that that disease of liberty spreads around the globe. He has fought for it in his own country. He fights for it in Africa--he fights for it in the world.
We share the same basic aspiration for the United States as he works for his own country. We share the same basic aspiration for Africa that he wishes for--and for the world.
It is therefore a great honor and a great pleasure for me, as President of the United States, to welcome a distinguished citizen of a friendly country, and also a distinguished citizen of the world, the President of Ghana, President Nkrumah.''
The President greeted President Nkrumah at the Washington National Airport. President Nkrumah responded as follows:
''Mr. President:
As this is our first meeting since your assumption of responsibility as President of the United States, may I be permitted to offer you my personal and hearty congratulations and those of the Government and people of Ghana. We all look forward to a period of continued cooperation and understanding between our two countries.
I hope that our meeting today will strengthen our relations and contribute towards the establishment of lasting peace and stability in Africa and in the world.
These are troublous times. They are also times of opportunity for action. Let us, therefore, emphasize and consolidate the very many things that unite us, and from that starting point tackle the problems which confront us in our time. I am sure, Mr. President, that success will crown our efforts.
I thank you and the people of the United States for the warm welcome that has been accorded to me.''

[@amankonajoseph355]

I'm So sad.We Ghanaians and Africans will never get a leader like Nkrumah again. Leaders of these days are selfish,heartless and money minded

[@commanderrreese8284]

I have to correct you on one thing my Afrikan Brother we are all Africans as you are Ghanaian African.

[@ikeralfonso2047]

I realize I am kinda off topic but does anyone know a good website to stream newly released movies online?

[@collinskwaning9004]

@@LeoMes01Yeah he learn from OSAGYFO

[@richardtitus-glover8951]

Two great leaders the world, and perhaps our generation will never experience. These are fine gentlemen with high spirits of patriotism, love for public service, selfless, love and respect for humanity and extraordinary morals. I’m yet to know which African or Ghanaian president that has been welcomed in such a dignified manner in recent times. Long live Dr. Nkrumah

[@idristetteh7969]

Osagyefo Kwame Nkrumah! 🇬🇭 The gem of Africa! JFK was a true man and president of the US 🇺🇸

[@albertwright6745]

2 and half years later, one was assassinated and five years later, one was ousted.

[@KwabenaEdziiDavidson]

Too much greatness in one video. Saddens my heart we as humans aren't pristine, Nkrumah would have greatly impacted Ghana Africa and the African race.

[@tvs9978]

He never had a chance. The CIA was determined to kill him or get him out of power

[@Wills276]

@@tvs9978 True but your enemies cannot kill you if your people have your back

[@mrtik1127]

These two great people have ever been my favorite leaders at all time. I wasn't present in any of their reign but my consistent research about tyem reveals that both Ghana and the United States have never had such great leadership again. JFK lives on, Nkrumah live on. I salute u, from a proud man of the black soil.

[@eilizabethackah1091]

Isaac Tweneboah-Kodua of

[@positiveego5397]

JFK was so humble he personally went to the airport to receive an African leader. He was also very exciting to meet Nkrumah he had to go up the airstair to greet him.

[@steve3288]

Because Nkrumah created that respect. He was not their puppet as we see today akufo Ado licking their ass

[@emilyappiah1505]

Dr Kwame Nkrumah, The Greatest President of all Time. May his Gentle Soul RIPP. Nkruman Never Dies.

[@patrickadda8232]

Beautiful! Nkrumah never dies! What a splendid display of an African leader! I'm pretty sure the Blacks in US at that time were pleased to see him. Nkrumah still lives on! I respect and live John Kennedy too; he was a moral man.

[@franktalk5037]

Patrick Adda Oh yes! Most aware African-Americans were extremely pleased and proud of Kwame Nkrumah.

[@LeoMes01]

Moral You could call putting nukes in Italy and Turkey Moral.

[@AH-qd7bt]

Amazing. After he left I am yet to see a leader with good visions for Ghana

[@tonihazle2034]

Two very great men. Alas, we don't have any leaders of that calibre in this world today,

[@Unknown-te8fv]

RIP Kwame Nkrumah RIP John F. Kennedy

[@blackdotfamily7535]

Ghana had always been friend with the world and with the influencial counrries of the world...USA has been a long team up friendship with Ghana,you wont regard Ghana bt we know what spirit it is like to be one ,the spirit of patriotism and love for the nagion,we always a GHANAIAN

[@DJ_TwEdeE]

This was in the 60s and Nkrumah was welcome like this in America

[@edengarden3568]

oseikromgh1 yes the man was bigger than light. As Ghanaians we didn't know the jewel among us

[@jonb4808]

He was welcomed like this in China, Russia, Cuba and so on. He was so respected. Africa lost out

[@BroSimon4]

Yes. Julius Nyerere was also invited to The United States of America by Kennedy. Africa had modest, intelligent, strong and wise leaders.

[@jerryamuzu6545]

P

[@collinskwaning9004]

@@BroSimon4Yeah Julius Nyerere he was a Great Man and a leader too. Both moved together.

[@Kingoftheimmigrants4646]

Nkrumah was welcome like a true African leader with the president of the United States meeting him personally at the airport even without Ghana having no oil!! Nkrumah was indeed a threat to western powers!!

[@tvs9978]

Ghana had oil at the time and it was known

[@thomassankara2857]

Ghana's national anthem is the best in the world.

[@justiceappiah3060]

But during Nkrumah speeches in U.S he even did not mention Ghana, Nkrumah loves Africa but hates Ghana, such a despicable politician.

[@SA-er5tf]

@@justiceappiah3060 Bro he was a pan- african so Ghana is also part of Africa aa

[@edwardappiah9808]

@@justiceappiah3060 are u normal?

[@idristetteh7969]

Coming to know this happened in the 60s tells me how Osagyefo Kwame Nkrumah was powerful and highly respected in the world; JFK himself had great reverence for his man as he first of all invited him over and one could see he went up to me Osagyefo on the steps and walk down with him. The Blacks in the US at that time that felt much racism will be relieved and feel proud

[@isaacnwi-mozu4100]

Nkrumah made sure Africans gain respect. I am sure this was the first time USA president met an African president at airport. If Kennedy was alive, there wouldn't be any coup against Nkrumah. Sad that both died early

[@idristetteh7969]

Rightly so. JFK was assassinated by his own country then the CIA had the chance to plot and overthrow Osagyefo Kwame Nkrumah

[@franciskwofie6754]

This I agree with you totally. JFK himself wanted to see a peaceful world, a developed world. It would not have happened.

[@aliemmanuel7020]

This visit initiated the Building of the Akosombo dam ..

[@stephensackey7866]

mr Mohammed you right .Dr Nkrumah is the best President all the time

[@nana.johnfkennedy1247]

John F Kennedy! A great President❤❤ and I love him forever 🧡

[@starboy5146]

The lion of Africa, what a great leader Africa miss this type of leader long time ago!

[@jamesharding945]

Nkrumah never dies!!!

[@livinusbondzie8797]

Verily verily I tell you another Kwame Nkrumah will come. It's just a matter of time. #SABALI

[@ohenetwum3358]

You are right.

[@nanapat3726]

Surely one will rise again to take the country from these assholes.

[@titusglavee1443]

Amen Hallelujah Amen 🙏🏾

[@kwadwosarpong6951]

And his name is John Dramani Mahama 😎

[@truestory7341]

And all the youths will rise up and support. 💪

[@SPATODYA]

O MY! Amazing video. Thanks for posting.

[@mosesali8265]

Kwame Nkrumah and John F Kennedy exchanging pleasantries as they exchange the political interests of both parties, politics is kinda funny.

[@purebreed9695]

See the respect they gave Africans then just finished watching the respect they gave Tafawa Balewa,now this idiots when the visit they go begging for money.We lost all this respect,so sad

[@dorisdeyfashions]

I know so sad. And even we had so many of our money in their Bank and still loaning us more for multiple intereste.

[@oslobnor3273]

God bless these two good men.

[@mohammedbabasanni491]

This Great Man was more than 50 years Ahead of the whole African.

[@kwasiamoakohene6049]

He dropped the ball when allocated to himself the title of Life President which culminated to his overthrow. He would have been the best president ever if he had left the scene after a set number of years like what great men like George Washington did.

[@edengarden3568]

mohammed sanni yes he was I always said it yet we disgrace and almost trashed a great vision To that I say thanks to Rawlings. That was one good thing he did

[@barbeesmarley8520]

Kwasi Amoakohene...... I understand where you coming from but the main issues were the treat he posed to the western word as he tried to rally Africa to Unite as one Nation and also his close ties with Russia pushing forward for nuclear energy Ghana in the 60’s.

[@alexwilson9530]

@@kwasiamoakohene6049 oh my God. You have rocks in your skull in place of a brain. Its Africans like you that hold Africa back

[@nataliedelagrandiere4022]

@@barbeesmarley8520 your English is poor or badly translated..

[@dearafrica1263]

Nkrumah is my favorite African Leader

[@davidcooe6432]

Dr Nkrumah was classmates of Thurgood Marshall and Nnamdi Azikwe at Lincoln university

[@mkl62]

Thanks for posting.

[@Merci-h3x]

Mutual respect and humility for one another. Sealed.

[@dorisdeyfashions]

You can really see that the don't love him,. And don't want him to succeed, and he has not one watching his back for him am very sad. May Almighty bring him back to Mother Ghana again. I wish I can share tears.

[@confidencekplormdo4244]

Selfless Leader always the best for development because no corruption n money laundering so he is brave to talk what are we seeing today fighting against each other with no reasons making our continent backwards ever forward never why

[@Merci-h3x]

Dr. Nkrumah former scholar of the united States of America, Great Britain, Canada also 👍. Well educated. Sealed.

[@suzycle5355]

The best man president john F.Kennedy

[@Merci-h3x]

We should never take down our leaders. They are the voice of God. Sealed.

[@folarinadejube5721]

D last time Africa had true leaders was in d 60s.

[@banabana6046]

Two great leaders. Rip

[@donwellmandizvidza3569]

JFK one of the greatest leaders of all times

[@regenahregenah6510]

ONLY ONE PRESIDENT Of USA JFK will greatly truly welcome another President on steps with showers of blessing.

[@patrickloertscher2158]

We face neither East nor West! We face FORWARD

[@lindaasafo-adjei106]

Osagefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah's remarkable welcome to USA by President JF Kennedy in 1961 when the two most important and powerful Presidents of Ghana and America met in a wonderful atmosphere. RIP: Osagefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah and President of Ghana and RIP: JF Kennedy, the then President of USA

[@Unknown-te8fv]

Rip Kwame Nkrumah and Rip John F. Kennedy

[@akusabiiga]

Nkrumah never dies , he lives in our hearts.

[@SlikKwameLeh]

wow

[@TheMolecularDance]

I am doing a history project on US involvement in Ghana. Is it okay if I use your video? I will cite it.

[@kwadwosarpong6951]

Why not?

[@otumfuo3]

Watch your back, inna Babylon. Watch your step, watch your moves inna Babylon.....and to thyself be true. I wonder what Nkrumah will think now if he was still alive. The evidence is still visible in Ghana. Where's the gain for liberty? Liberty from what?

[@akosuaadjeiwaa1146]

They are all gone😢

[@akainyahazannekofi]

A different time. Does the POTUS now meet anyone at the airport?

[@tjcassidy2694]

I believe this was the only time any PotUS did so. JFK may have been trying out the airport-greeting protocol, and maybe was also trying to impress both Afro-American citizens and African foreign leaders.

[@akainyahazannekofi]

But he did not call off the CIA!

[@lovecharity16]

+lemigod You should watch the Seige of Jadotville on Netflix. It shows the hand that westerners had in the death of Lumumba as well as the Congo. An excellent movie.

[@akainyahazannekofi]

Thanks. I shall

[@lovecharity16]

Cool

[@sthenrymary]

The president of the U.S. had no umbrella but our Lord from Africa that always want to be served, had one held over him.

[@idristetteh7969]

JFK will even remove his shoes for Osagyefo Kwame Nkrumah if he was barefooted; he had great reverence for Osagyefo Kwame Nkrumah that's why he invited him over to his place

[@AYTM1200]

The CIA took both of these great men out.

[@fridickalen5709]

The moment anas is working all this is coming out? anas anokue

[@BrendaS-r9e]

When it comes to rating all Ghanaian leaders from independence till date I will place Dr. Nkrumah at number one. General Acheampong at number two Mahama at number three. Limman at number four Someone help put the rest in order.

[@fridickalen5709]

Anas more fire💥💥💥💥💥💥💥

[@Allan_O._Muthiga]

CIA killed Jack and overthrew Nkurumah.

[@awula5385]

Indeed.

[@lahaivandiforay-gondor7010]

While giving the speech, he was secretly planning to assassinate Mr Kwame

[@awula5385]

No he wasn’t. Nkrumah was deposed during the presidency of Johnson.

[@sheilac1845]

The tales that Fedora could tell 🤠 I'd like to write a children's book with the Fedora as a talking hat telling what all JFK did 💙👼🕊️

[@fridickalen5709]

so u Ghanaians is going to do anas like mr dr nkuroma

[@swedruman]

POLITRICKS

[@GulRamani]

Pres Bill Clinton famous remark to the affect that Presidents are World's best actors is true for most political dealings :))