Kwame Nkrumah

Kwame Nkrumah (September 21, 1909 - April 27, 1972) was a Ghanaian politician and one of the most influential founders of Pan-Africanism.

Return to Africa

He returned to Gold Coast in 1947 to join the United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC) under Joseph B. Danquah. In the same year he formed his own party - the Convention People's Party (CPP), with the motto 'Self-government now'. In 1949 Nkrumah left the UGCC and in December of 1949 he declared 'Positive Action' - mass action in the form of boycotts, strikes, and civil disobedience; and was arrested by the British in January 1950.

Related Topics:
1947 - United Gold Coast Convention - Joseph B. Danquah - Convention People's Party - 1949 - 1950

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Facing international protests and internal resistance the British decided to leave the Gold Coast. In 1951 Nkrumah won a seat in the Legislative Assembly while still in prison, the CPP won 34 out of 38 seats. He was released later from prison in February and the Governor Charles Arden-Clarke asked him to lead the new government in cooperation with the British to lead to independence, he agreed.

Related Topics:
1951 - Charles Arden-Clarke

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~