In a powerful tribute to one of the most iconic figures of Black liberation, a statue of Malcolm X was revealed during a private ceremony in Winneba, Central Region Ghana.  The event, held at the workshop of celebrated Ghanaian artist Dr. Theophilus Kwesi Mensah, marked what would have been Malcolm X’s 100^th birthday and served as a reminder of his legacy and vision for Pan-African unity.

The statue was commission by the Malcom X Liberation Institute to honor his life and legacy as an influential and powerful civil rights leader. Nene Kwasi Kafele, Nana Kra Kwamina II, Rabbi Kohain Halevi, and Baba Yaw Victor Beausoleil are the co-founders of the Malcolm X Liberation Institute. Designed and sculpted by Dr. Mensah and his team, the monument captures the real image of Malcom X and his spirit as a revolutionary thinker and speaker.  It also serves as a bridge between the African diaspora and the African continent.

The co-founders also believe this statue can serve as a way to bring families together. “When Malcolm was gunned down in that ballroom, we didn’t just lose a revolutionary, we didn’t just lose an activist we didn’t just lose one of the greatest orators of our time. we lost a son, a husband, and a father,” said Baba Yaw. He went on to say family has been in crisis and he hopes this statue stands as a catalyst to ensure that we look back to find the traditional approaches to family.

The statue will invoke conversations between the diaspora and Ghanaians who may not know the legacy of Malcolm X.  Already some locals who were working as Ushers at the event were asking me what the significance of Malcolm X was because they didn’t learn about him in school.  The fact that this happened during the event is proof of why this statue is important.  We are all connected despite having experiences on opposite sides of the world.

Malcolm X believed in the idea that Black people should visit Africa in their lifetime.  His relationship with Africa was rooted in his evolving worldview after leaving the Nation of Islam. His 1964 visit to Ghana left a strong impression on him.  He met with prominent Pan-African leaders and spoke openly about the need for Black Americans and Africans to work together in the struggle for liberation.

The ceremony revealing the statue was part of a 2-day commemorative event that included a gala dinner and conference held in Cape Coast on May 19^th, Malcolm X’s birthday.  Throughout the evening, attendees watched powerful video clips of his speeches highlighting his passionate calls for justice, self-determination and the global unity of people of African descent. 

While the statue currently sits in the artist’s workshop in Winneba there are plans to eventually install it in a public space in Cape Coast, where both Ghanaians and the African diaspora can pay homage to the legacy of Malcolm X. The unveiling of this statue in Ghana is more than an act of remembrance, it’s a reaffirmation of his dream for unity among people of African descent around the world.  As his words echoed through the conference via the videos watched during the gala, one thing was clear: Malcom X’s voice still resonates today.  His vision still matters, and his legacy continues to inspire. 

Photos: Ivy Prosper