Elizabeth Nyanibah
Elizabeth Nyanibah | |
|---|---|
| Born | c. 1877 Tarkwa-Nsuaem, Western Region, Gold Coast (now Ghana) |
| Died | c. 1977 (aged ~100) Nkroful, Western Region, Ghana |
| Nationality | Ghanaian |
| Other names | Nyaniba |
| Occupation(s) | Petty trader, fishmonger |
| Known for | Mother of Kwame Nkrumah; Nyaniba Estate named in her honour |
| Spouse | Kofi Nwiana Ngolomah |
| Children | Kwame Nkrumah |
Elizabeth Nyanibah (also spelled Nyaniba; c. 1877 – c. 1977) was the mother of Kwame Nkrumah, the first President of Ghana. She raised Nkrumah in the town of Nkroful.[1] Nyaniba Estate in Osu, Accra, was named after her.[2]
Early life
Nyanibah was born around 1877 in Tarkwa-Nsuaem, in what is now Ghana’s Western Region. She belonged to the Agona family and worked as a petty trader and fishmonger.[3] She later married Kofi Nwiana Ngolomah, a goldsmith from Nkroful in Nzema East, now Ellembele.[4][5]
Motherhood and relationship with Kwame Nkrumah
Nyanibah gave birth to Kwame Nkrumah in September 1909, though some sources list 1912 as his birth year. After her husband moved to another village, she raised Nkrumah in Nkroful.[6] In his autobiography, Nkrumah described their relationship as close, writing: "I never cared for any woman as much as I cared for her. We are both alike in one thing. We seem to draw strength from each other."[7]
Later life
Nyanibah lived to be over 100 years old. According to the New York times, she lost her sight in later years but maintained her ability to speak clearly and recall events. She spent her later life in Nkroful and was present during events related to her son’s legacy, including the period following his death in 1972.[8] She spent her later life in Nkroful and was present during key moments relating to her son’s legacy, including the period after his death in 1972.[9]
Legacy
The Nyaniba Estate in Osu, Accra, was named after her by President Nkrumah.[10] In 2014, calls were made by local leaders and cultural advocates for the government to further honour her, including naming the Nkroful Agricultural Senior High School after her.[11]
See also
- Kwame Nkrumah
- Nyaniba Estate
References
- ^ "Nkrumah's Mother Awaits Return of Son's Body (Published 1972)". 5 July 1972. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
- ^ "The Man Kwame Nkrumah". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
- ^ Jatta, Musa. "Research Guides: Kwame Nkrumah Resource Guide: Kwame Nkrumah Biography". libguides.nypl.org. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
- ^ "120 Facts About Kwame Nkrumah". FactSnippet. 4 May 2025. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
- ^ "Check out this 'golden' photo of Kwame Nkrumah and mother - Adomonline.com". 5 August 2020. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
- ^ "Memorial Day Special: Nkrumah's actual birthday and other interesting facts - MyJoyOnline". Retrieved 14 August 2025.
- ^ www.uew.edu.gh, www.uew.edu.gh. "Ghana: The Autobiography of Kwame Nkrumah". uew.edu.gh.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Quist, Ebenezer Agbey (16 August 2021). "Amodzie: Ghanaian Woman Reportedly 198 Speaks About Encounter with Kwame Nkrumah's Mother in Video - YEN.COM.GH". yen.com.gh. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
- ^ "Nkrumah's Mother Awaits Return of Son's Body (Published 1972)". 5 July 1972. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
- ^ "Why Nyaniba Estate was named after Nkrumah's mother". Ghanamma. 21 September 2021. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
- ^ "Govt. asked to honour Nkrumah?s mother | News Ghana". https://www.newsghana.com.gh/. 17 December 2014. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
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