Gamal Nkrumah

Gamal Gorkeh Nkrumah was a Ghanaian journalist and Pan-Africanist writer, and the eldest son of Ghana's first President, Kwame Nkrumah, and his Egyptian wife, Fathia Nkrumah. He spent most of his career at Al-Ahram Weekly in Cairo, where he was international affairs editor. He died in Cairo on 14 October 2026 at the age of 68.

Early life and education

Gamal was born in Accra on 18 March 1958, a year after Ghana's independence. He was a child when his father was overthrown in the coup of February 1966, after which his mother took the children to Egypt, her home country. His siblings include Samia Nkrumah, the former Jomoro MP and former chairperson of the Convention People's Party. He earned a doctorate in political science at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) in London.

Journalism

He was a political journalist at Al-Ahram Weekly, the English-language weekly of Egypt's Al-Ahram group, and edited its international affairs section. He wrote widely on African politics and the Pan-African ideas his father championed. After his death the leadership of Al-Ahram paid tribute to his contribution to the paper over three decades.

Death

In a statement posted by Samia Nkrumah, the family said he passed away peacefully in Cairo after a prolonged illness, having been cared for at a rehabilitation centre following a stroke. The family thanked his carers and the governments and people of Egypt and Ghana. A family source said he would be buried in Egypt on Saturday, 17 October 2026, in line with Islamic tradition. He had two children.